In India large proportion of population (54.6%) depends on agriculture for their livelihood contributing 17.4% of the country’s Gross Value Added (GVA). The study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the long-term performance of the Rice-Wheat cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India over five decades (1970-71 to 2019-20). Assessing Total Factor productivity (TFP) across major states, the study reveals a troubling stagnation and decline in TFP for Rice, Wheat and the combined cropping system. Factors such as rising input costs, changing labour dynamics, ground water depletion and state-specific practices significantly impact productivity. Punjab benefits from progressive labour and mechanization, while Haryana faces declining productivity due to groundwater depletion. Uttar Pradesh realizes positive impacts from fertilizer use, while Bihar and west Bengal’s reliance on traditional practices hampers productivity. Socio-economic factors like Net National Income and rural electrification affect TFP, highlighting complex influences on agricultural productivity. The study recommends institutional and structural changes, suggesting privatization through contract farming to enhance efficiency and knowledge among cultivators. Addressing these challenges is crucial for revitalizing agricultural productivity in the region, demanding a multifaceted approach encompassing technological innovation, sustainable practices and inclusive policy interventions.