This chapter offers a comprehensive examination of the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdowns in India, emphasizing their far-reaching social, economic, and health consequences. Beginning with the global outbreak’s origins and India’s swift response, the chapter analyses the government’s implementation of a 21-day nationwide lockdown in March 2020 as a critical public health strategy. While necessary to curb viral transmission, these measures triggered unprecedented disruptions, particularly for India’s informal sector and marginalized populations, exposing systemic vulnerabilities in healthcare, social protection, and economic resilience. Structured into four key sections, the chapter traces the pandemic’s escalation, the lockdown’s role, the multifaceted challenges arising from these events, and reflective conclusions. Grounded in an extensive review of scholarly literature, the chapter provides a nuanced, critical analysis of the pandemic’s enduring legacy on India’s social and economic landscape, offering valuable insights for future policymaking and crisis preparedness.