Generative artificial intelligence is rapidly redefining crop breeding in India by enabling the design of novel genetic combinations and accelerating varietal development cycles from traditional timelines of 10–15 years to as little as 2–5 years. This transformation is particularly significant in a climate-vulnerable agricultural system where 58 percent of cultivated land is rainfed and productivity losses due to climate variability range between 2–5 percent annually. Advanced generative models such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Variational Autoencoders (VAEs), diffusion models, and protein language models allow breeders to simulate genotype-by-environment interactions, predict trait performance, and optimize multi-trait combinations with unprecedented precision. Empirical evidence from global and Indian studies indicates that generative AI-driven breeding can enhance crop yields by 20–50 percent, improve drought tolerance by up to 35 percent, and increase post-harvest shelf life in horticultural crops by 30 percent. Karnataka emerges as a leading innovation hub in this domain, with institutions such as the University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad and the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research pioneering field-level applications. This research article adopts a PRISMA-ScR guided narrative review methodology, synthesizing 45 empirical studies conducted between 2018 and 2026. The findings demonstrate that generative AI not only accelerates breeding cycles but also delivers strong economic returns, with a return on investment of 4–6 times over five years. However, the technology also presents challenges including data scarcity for indigenous crops, high computational costs, regulatory ambiguity, and issues of equitable access for smallholder farmers. The article concludes by proposing a comprehensive policy framework integrating national AI missions, digital agriculture infrastructure, and localized capacity building. It argues that generative AI, when deployed ethically and inclusively, can play a decisive role in achieving India’s long-term food security goals while enhancing farmer incomes and climate resilience.