Abstract Background and Aims The reported prevalence of depression in dialysis population ranges from 20-45%, which varies across regions. Limited data are available on association with co-morbidities, clinical symptoms and quality of life, especially from India. Present study was aimed to explore the prevalence of depression in patients on maintenance haemodialysis, quality of life and feasibility of group based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in this set of patients. Method This is a single centre prospective study conducted at a tertiary care referral hospital, Bangalore, India, over the period of 22 months (Dec-2017 to Apr-2019). Patients aged >18 years and on maintenance haemodialysis for >6 months were included in the study. Any patients with known psychiatric illness or substance abuse were excluded. Beck depression inventory (BDI) score and quality of life by kidney disease quality of life short form-36 (KDQOL-SF) were used for diagnosis of depression. Group based CBT is offered to patients with mild to moderate depression. Results A total of 100 (85 males) patients were studied, the mean±SD age was 54.0±12.9 years (range, 23-76). Forty-six (46%) patients had depression (mean BDI score 35.04±10.8), out of whom, 8 (17.4%) had mild depression, 6 (13.1%) had moderate depression, 14 (30.4%) had severe depression and 18 (39.1%) people had extreme levels of depression. Females, unemployed and retired persons, low socioeconomic status and frequent dialysis related complications are more prone for depression. Age, dialysis vintage, duration from diagnosis to dialysis, associated co-morbid conditions, frequency of emergency dialysis requirement, hospitalization rates did not significantly differ in both groups. Low serum phosphate levels and high Kt/V values had association with depression, while haemoglobin, serum albumin and serum calcium levels did not have association with depression. We were unable to complete the group based CBT due to medical and social reasons. Conclusion Depression is common in haemodialysis patients, patients with depression had poor medication compliance and lower quality of life. Group based CBT is not feasible due to high attrition rates.