Despite immense interest and dedicated efforts globally, decades-long dream about hybrid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) remains unrealized. Exciting scientific discoveries on the chemical hybridizing agents (CHA) and cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) were unveiled decades ago. Investments in hybrid wheat research and development during the 1960s to 1990s were not uncommon for both public and private agriculture research organizations around the world. Yet the hybrid wheat largely remains an unfinished business today. One of the key impediments in developing hybrid wheat is its biological obligation to self-pollination. A significant modification in its floral biology and behavior is the first and a must condition to develop a hybrid wheat. Moreover, the realized superiority of hybrid wheat, i.e., hybrid heterosis, compared to the conventional inbred variety has been observed to be limited as compared to other successful hybrid crops. It is largely explained by the autogamy nature of this crop which evolved by adapting to inbreeding and possibly by being selected against the deleterious alleles which otherwise affect negatively in homozygous state. Despite numerous efforts being invested in the past to develop and design suitable hybrid wheat system, a persistent effort towards hybrid breeding seems to be missing. In this regard, it is not imperative to compare hybrid heterosis with the currently available best inbred cultivars and conclude just based on limited amount of time and resources invested in hybrid wheat. In order to feed the burgeoning population in the coming decades, there is not much option but find a step changer that substantially boosts yield potential in wheat and perhaps the same true for other economically important crops. It is strongly believed that hybrid wheat can still be the principal solution for increased food demand. We are in the twenty-first century surrounded with advanced scientific understanding, cutting edge technologies, and tremendous computing capacity. In this background, this book chapter tries to briefly review the past works on hybrid wheat-related issues, such as heterosis, hybrid production systems, and application of genomics, and provide brief perspectives on the future of hybrid wheat in various sections. Moreover, we have attempted to provide an account on hybrid wheat economics associated with hybrid wheat commercialization in the context of India. Throughout the chapter, relevant sections have been illustrated with some of the key methods practiced and results observed in CIMMYT’s hybrid wheat program.

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