Soil organic carbon stock (SOCS) is an important indicator of soil health and a significant atmospheric CO2 sink. It plays a vital role in regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in croplands. Knowing the quantity of SOCS change is essential for cropland management to mitigate GHG emissions through SOC sequestration. However, little is known about long-term changes in SOCS in Indian croplands, which occupy 50% (similar to 166 million ha) of the country's total land area. This study aimed to estimate the SOCS change in croplands of India using a paired temporal dataset of SOCS (0-30 cm) from 186 sites across India covering three climates (arid, semi-arid and humid), six cropping systems (rice, cereals, cotton, groundnut, soybean, and plantation crops) three soil types (alluvial, black and red), and two water management regimes (rainfed and irrigated). The results showed a 38% increase in SOCS (with an 18.2% uncertainty) over an average duration of 24 years in Indian croplands. Linear mixed-effect modelling showed that SOCS increased significantly from T1 to T2 across the dataset (beta = 3.09 Mg C ha(-1), p < 0.05), confirming an overall temporal gain. Effect size analysis showed that climate and cropping systems were the dominant regulators of SOCS change, while soil type exerted comparatively limited control. Further, significant interactions of climate, soil type, cropping systems, and water management with time provide direct evidence of variations in SOCS change. We also found that the SOCS change was dependent on initial SOCS content (r = -0.39; p < 0.01), with the highest (84%) under plantation crops. Notably, the increase in SOCS in irrigated soils was nearly double (46.4%) compared to rainfed soils (27%). The observed increase in SOCS demonstrates that Indian croplands function as a net carbon sink over the long-term, with SOC sequestration strongly mediated by initial SOC levels, irrigation, and cropping systems, highlighting their strategic role in national GHG mitigation frameworks.