Miniature and highly efficient optical-based gas sensors have gained enormous consideration over the last few years. Materials based on the group-IV elements, namely silicon, germanium and their compounds, are deemed to be the potential candidates for the optical gas sensors. Optical gas sensors based on these materials offer appreciable sensitivity and high-density integration. Basically, these sensors paved the path for the flexible applications areas, namely internet of things (IoT), point-of-care testing, information and communication technology, etc. because of their potential candidature for being integrated with the several other photonic or electronic devices for on-chip signal processing and communication. Herein, we review optical gas sensors and discuss their basic principles, applications, recent advancement in the devices, etc. Gas concentrations can be easily detected and measured utilizing the characteristic optical absorption of gas species. This detection is crucial both for interpretation and observing of a wider range of phenomena extended from industrial practices to overall environmental change. Based on the findings, this review extends over a comprehensive overview of plethora of individual gas detection techniques, namely non-dispersive infrared, spectro-photometry, tunable diode laser spectroscopy and photo acoustic spectroscopy. This article focalizes over the discussion of the basic principle of the techniques introduced, their latest advancements and performance constraints, etc.