The primary sources of liver grafts are deceased donors [donation after brain death (DBD) and donation after cardiac death (DCD)] and living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Deceased donor livers, particularly those from brain-dead donors, are preferred due to the absence of donor risk, but their scarcity has led to the utilization of marginal or extended criteria grafts. Living donor liver transplantation, especially prevalent in regions like Southeast Asia, addresses organ shortages but poses risks to donors, including complications from partial hepatectomy. In India, LDLT dominates, accounting for 80–85% of transplants, while DBD and DCD donations are gradually increasing. Donor selection involves stringent criteria, including age, liver steatosis, graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR), and anatomical compatibility. Advanced techniques like normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) and hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) have improved the viability of marginal grafts, particularly from DCD donors. Living donors undergo thorough evaluation to ensure safety, with considerations for liver volume, vascular anatomy, and metabolic health. Ethical concerns, including informed consent and donor autonomy, are paramount. Innovations like ABO-incompatible transplants and paired exchanges have expanded donor pools. Despite advancements, donor selection remains a fine balance between expanding access and ensuring safety, with ongoing research aimed at optimizing outcomes for both donors and recipients.