Over the past century, livestock production has significantly increased through technological advances, from selective breeding to animal cloning. However, the increasing demand for animal products necessitates faster, targeted methods for improving desired traits within a specific time frame or number of generations. Additionally, consumption patterns of livestock products are becoming more diverse, driving the need for better quality products. One promising modern method for enhancing animal food production is genome editing, which allows for precise changes to an animal’s genetic makeup at specific regions of the genome. This technique allows for the modification of endogenous genes, integration of exogenous genes, and removal of undesirable traits in a highly targeted manner. Genome editing has great potential in countries such as India, where religious beliefs play a significant role in the consumption of livestock products. There are three main techniques used in genome editing: TALEN, CRISPR/Cas9, and ZFN. While CRISPR/Cas9 is well studied and widely used in many species, TALEN is also important in livestock. Although the methodology seems simple to understand and can be performed in most modern biotechnology labs at the cellular level, translating it to the field requires a fully functional embryo technology and animal cloning lab. The utilization of genome editing in livestock presents greater opportunities for monogenic characteristics, as polygenic traits necessitate additional gene clusters to supplement the desired trait. Additionally, even monogenic traits require support from associated tissues and organs to fully optimize the potential of this technique. Among the major livestock species in India, cow, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig, and chicken have the most potential for genome editing. The traits of interest that can be manipulated include enhancing disease resistance, altering sex ratios, introducing sterility for population control, improving fertility frequency, increasing food conversion efficiency, promoting growth, removing food allergens, and cultivating heterologous organs. The presence of species-specific institutions within Indian Council of Agricultural Research system offers a perfect platform for developing genome-edited livestock in the country.