Indole, a versatile pharmacophore and privileged scaffold exhibits diverse pharmacological activities such as antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-convulsant, antidepressant, antimicrobial, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial and antifungal effects. Its ability to mimic protein structures makes it invaluable in drug discovery. Recent research (2018–2023) has focused on synthesizing indole derivatives and exploring their therapeutic potential. This review provides a concise overview of these advancements, aiding researchers in developing novel, less toxic indole derivatives with promising pharmacological activities