Background: Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of popular intravenous drugs like propofol and newer and shorter acting agents like remifentanil coupled with the development of pharmacokinetic models and advanced technology in infusion pumps have made a significant impact in the evolution of total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA). Target-controlled infusion (TCI) pumps and depth of anaesthesia monitors have made TIVA easy, safe, and precise. However, TIVA can also be practised with routine infusion pumps and even when these sophisticated models of equipment are not available. TIVA may be provided either with insertion of an endotracheal tube or supraglottic airway device, nasal or oral airway, or oxygen alone without insertion of any airway device. The practice of TIVA started initially in the fields of neurosurgery, day care surgery, as a supplementation to regional or local anaesthesia, and for sedation/analgesia in diagnostic/therapeutic procedures. In recent times, it has proven to be beneficial in oncosurgery, paediatric and geriatric surgery, cardiac surgery, and non-operating room anaesthesia (NORA).