“Political unionism” is characterized as a labour movement heavily influenced by ideology-based political activities, such as a struggle for national independence, grass-roots mobilization for or against government policies, involvement in party politics, the launching of election campaigns and even union rivalry by political affiliation. “Political unionism in India” emerged and grew in a similar way. It evolved during the struggle for national independence and gained further strengths in the post-independence era that saw dramatic changes in the political regimes and rapid industrialization. Political unionism initially played a vital role in the economic and social transformation of the country, but it has not fully succeeded in adapting to new challenges emerging from the globalizing economy.