COVID-19 was one of the biggest health threats and individuals were advised to engage in health protective behaviours to prevent the spread of pandemic. This study aimed at exploring the influence of COM-B model, i.e., Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour model of behaviour changes on the engagement in health protective behaviours by individuals of India during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study used a mixed-method design. For quantitative, a survey was conducted among one hundred (N = 100) adults aged between 18 and 55 years; for qualitative, a semi-structured interview was conducted among twenty-five (N = 25) adults for the current study. The correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation among health hygiene practices and the components of the COM-B model psychological capability (r = .32), physical (r = .30), social opportunity (r = .24) and reflective motivation (r = .30). The regression analysis showed the significant positive influence of psychological capability on health hygiene practices. In addition, the content analysis yielded four primary categories: health-protective behaviours, capability, opportunity and motivation, comprising of overall eleven sub-categories. Furthermore, several enablers and barriers for engagement in health-protective behaviours were identified. Findings emphasise that the COM-B model could be aptly used in behavioural change interventions to encourage individuals to engage in health-protective behaviours with greater importance in upbringing the psychological capability of individuals. The findings could be used in the implementation policies for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal 3, 2023, proposed by the United Nations. This is the first study to best explore the COM-B model and its influence on health-protective behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Indian population to offer more concrete results and implications for behavioural interventions in future pandemics.