The origin of astrology is popularly referred to as Vedic astrology. The reference of astrology or jyotisha is found in the Mundaka Upanishad that dates back to the ancient Mauryan times. As several of the Poojas and remedial measures prescribed in the Indian astrology are followed as per the Vedic system, it is called Vedic astrology. Vedic culture is one of the primordial cultures and bears the history of at least 5000 years. This culture has its own unique theology, philosophy, arts, sciences, and literature which exist to this present day. Vedic astrology is an integral part of this culture and has been practiced since time immemorial.

The Vedanga Jyotisha was annotated by Lagadha in the Mauryan period, with rules for tracking the motions of the sun and the moon. The history of `Jyotisa` commences with the interaction of Indian and Hellenistic cultures in the Indo-Greek period. The documented history of `Jyotisha` begins with the interaction of Indian and Hellenistic cultures in the Indo-Greek period. The ancient treatises like the `Yavanajataka` or the `Brihat-Samhita`, date to the early centuries CE, the oldest astrological treatise in Sanskrit is the `Yavanajataka` contain the mention of `Jyotisa`. One of the six supplementary appendixes of Vedas, `Jyotish Vedanga` contains the discussion on Vedic astronomy and astrology.

The exact time of the development of astrology is still under veil but according to the past history and archeological evidences and treatises. The first named authors writing treatises on astronomy belonged to the 5th century CE. This period is traced to be the commencement period of the classical age of Indian astronomy. Besides the theories of Aryabhatta in the `Aryabhatiya` and the lost `Arya-siddhanta`, there is the `Pancha-Siddhantika` of Varahamihira. The ancient scriptures like `Brhat Parasara Horasastra` and `Saravali` by Kalyanavarman mention the gradual development of classical Indian astrology. The ancient scriptures like `Mahabharata` has the mention of astrology and the then astrologers were successful in making accurate predictions of the planetary movements with the help of their divine intuition. The `Bhishma Parva` and `Udyoga Parva` episodes of Mahabharata state many astrological descriptions and omens just before the Mahabharata war. The descriptions of a period of draught with several planetary combinations were also stated there. Even very clear reference about two eclipses, a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse occurring, creating a rare 13 day lunar fortnight were depicted in the scripture. According to various texts, the origin of Indian astrology was attributed to various gods and Rishis. The most popularly followed astrological classics today are the ones written by Rishis like Parashara, Varahamihira, Garga, Jaimini and their followers.

Indian astrology is based on the basic concepts which are related to the good and bad actions of the past life. The good and bad actions or Karma of the present and past life play important parts in determining the fate of one`s future. According to Indian astrology a person is born at that place, on that day and on that moment when his individual fate is in perfect mathematical harmony with the progress of the stars in heaven.

Indian astrology follows the divisional chart system, called the `Varga` system. Based on the planetary degrees at the time of birth, sixteen divisional charts are prepared, by dividing the degrees of the planets. These divisional charts are studied to ascertain the strength and weakness of planets and houses and also to study various aspects of ones life. The gradual prediction includes the `dasa` system which is based on the degrees of moon during the time of birth of a person. The `dasa` system includes `Antardasa`, or sub period, of another planet and so on. The `dasa` system id followed by the `Gochara`, or transit of planets which produce various results on the transition of various movements of planets. Indian astrology makes prediction following the `Prasna Kundali` system, or chart cast based on the time of the query. This is studied as an add-on chart to give predictions.

A glimpse into the origin of astrology will also lead one to the practice of the ancient sages such as Vashistha, Bhrgu, and Garga who were considered the masters of astrology. The basic school of Vedic astrology practiced in India is called the Parasara School of astrology, which was named after the last of the Rishis (great sages) of the Vedic age. After him several eminent people preserved the line of Vedic astrology. Notable amongst them was Satyacarya and in particular Varaha Mihira who wrote several important texts on astrology. Thereafter several other texts were composed which are also considered "classics" of Vedic astrology, such as `Saravali`, `Jataka Parijata`, `Sarvartha Cintamani`, and `Horasara`. All of these texts follow Parasara in their teachings.

Indian astrology was introduced in India at the very ancient period and was carried till date with various developments in modern times in this field. Even in the recent times the ancient scriptures written in the past are used to make accurate predictions.