India possesses rich traditional knowledge systems spanning diverse domains like medicine, agriculture and the environment. However, despite their enduring relevance, these collectively held intergenerational systems face complex challenges in today’s changing milieu. This paper examines the multifaceted dimensions involved in protecting traditional knowledge in India through an academic inquiry attuned to legal, socio-economic and ecological perspectives. It analyses the limitations of prevailing intellectual property protocols and the risks of biopiracy. The research explores specialized documentation efforts and sui generis frameworks designed as defensive mechanisms against exploitative patenting, in addition to international accords on safeguarding traditional knowledge. However, eschewing misconceptions of homogeneity and stagnation, the paper advocates nuanced policies that integrate ecological integrity with commercial viability to sustainably harness the dynamism of living traditions. It concludes that a balanced strategy combining proactive archiving, legal innovation, commercial prudence and social equity is imperative for India to safeguard its traditional knowledge assets while benefiting from their contemporary potential. In summary, this academic study elucidates the complex challenges and nuanced approaches involved in protecting India’s diverse traditional knowledge systems in a rapidly evolving globalized landscape.