In India, it was long thought to be confined to the south, but records have established that it is found over much of the country.[1] It was observed in eastern Gujarat's Gir National Park, in Maharashtra's Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and along India's Eastern Ghats.[2][14][15][16][17] Camera trapping revealed its presence in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in the Indian Terai and in Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra.[18][19] In western Maharashtra, there is a breeding population of rusty-spotted cats in a human dominated agricultural landscape, where rodent densities are high.[20] In December 2014 and in April 2015, it was photographed by camera traps in Kalesar National Park, Haryana.[21] It was also discovered using camera traps in Mirzapur Forest Division of Uttar Pradesh in 2018.[22][23][24]