The global energy sector faces significant challenges despite notable cases and advancements. The notion of energy retrofit is still unfamiliar to many nations, resulting in limited development. One of the major challenges has been identified in the planning and implementation of energy policies. In India, the concept of energy retrofitting has not been considered as a potential solution for addressing the growing energy requirements of the current building inventory. Residential buildings are primary users of energy. Exploring energy sustainability for these structures is crucial in order to obtain a net-zero status. This study seeks to assess cases on energy policy planning for retrofit of existing buildings, undertaken by 21 nations. Drawing from existing literature, four main barriers to energy policy planning and implementation were identified. Further a hypothetical scenario-based assessment for energy demands between 2021 and 2071 was performed, based on projections for population and housing stock. The findings of the analysis emphasized the importance of quantifying retrofit potentials to support India’s net-zero ambitions. Findings indicate that a phased, tailored policy framework could help India achieve sustainable energy goals while effectively addressing identified challenges and barriers.