India’s rapid population growth poses significant challenges for land resource management. According to UN projections, India’s population reached 1,428,627,663 in 2023, reflecting a 0.81% increase from 2022. This growth intensifies pressure on land resources, with per capita land availability at only 0.25 hectares, far below the global average of 2.3 hectares. Despite a projected economic growth rate of 6.3% for 2023 and 2024, urbanization, industrialization, and infrastructure expansion are altering land use patterns, contributing to environmental degradation. However, existing studies lack a comprehensive analysis of directional land use changes across Indian states. This study addresses this gap by analyzing land use changes from 2017 to 2021 using Sentinel-2 data and Markov chain models. Results show that agricultural land remains dominant, decreasing slightly from 46% in 2017 to 45% in 2021, while tree cover has significantly declined from 40% to 27%, signaling potential deforestation. Urban areas and bare ground have increased marginally, reflecting gradual urbanization. Policy recommendations include enforcing stricter regulations on urban expansion, protecting wetlands and water bodies, enhancing forest conservation, promoting sustainable agriculture, and integrating climate adaptation into land use planning. This study provides critical insights for policymakers and researchers, offering evidence-based strategies for sustainable land management in India.