Ground and satellite based measurements of spectral optical properties of aerosols have been carried out at Dehradun (DDN) in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) and Kavaratti (KVT) at Lakshadweep in southern Arabian Sea during pre-monsoon season (March–May) 2012. The measurements illustrate distinct seasonal impact on aerosol properties with maximum dust loading during May in conjunction with anthropogenic aerosols over DDN and marine aerosols over KVT.