The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an invasive pest of tomato that is rapidly expanding around the world. This paper presents the first report of the occurrence from India. Several individuals were collected from polyhouses and fields during the survey conducted in 2014 and 2015. A preliminary taxonomic note on this pest with diagnosis and known distribution is provided.