Of all the Clupeids, species of Ilisha by different authors based on different criteria has resulted in conflicting views among systematists. There is thus an urgent need to revise the species of this genus and this has also been repeatedly emphasized by previous workers.

The systematic revision of the genus could be best attempted only by considering all Indo-Pacific material. But a critical study of the Indian species could be the first step in a right direction.

The systematics of Indian species of Ilisha has been dealt with in the present study on the basis of the re-examination of the types of various nominal species deposited in the three European Museums. A key to Indian species of Ilisha, modified from that of Whitehead (1972) is presented here with emphasis on the form of the swim bladder as a diagnostic character.