•The article focuses on the research works on various sensitizers of DSSC by researchers.•The effect of chemical structure and stereo chemistry on the performance of sensitizers was analyzed.•Criteria needed for an efficient sensitizer was also mentioned. The development of hybrid solar cells such as Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) opens up a new generation of thin film solar cells withhigh performance to cost ratio. They are expected to be one of themost economically viable energy devices, owing to the potential forrealization of flexible and light weight, thin film photovoltaic deviceswith moderate efficiencies and good processability in non-vacuum settings. Sensitizers form the heart of DSSC since they trigger and maintain theelectron transfer processes in a photo electro chemical system by absorbingsolar radiation. This review focuses on recent advances in sensitizersdeveloped/explored elsewhere. A comprehensive analysis of the performanceof various light absorbing sensitizers based on their chemicalstructure, geometry and stereo chemistry is attempted.