Earthworms play an important role in enhancing soil fertility and improving soils polluted with sewage sludge and toxic materials. The most comprehensive taxonomic account on the Indian earthworms was that of Stephenson (1923) published as part of the Fauna of British India series which became obsolete due to nomenclatural changes and discovery of new taxonomic characters. This volume, part of the the Fauna of India series, deals with the detailed taxonomic studies on the family Octochaetidae including descriptions of 6 new genera and 16 new species. Useful information on the classification, biogeography, biology, ecology and economic importance of earthworms has also been incorporated. It is intended to bring out more such volumes on the remaining families of the Indian earthworms.