Encapsulation in Python is a fundamental concept of object-oriented programming (OOP) that involves bundling data (attributes) and methods (functions) that operate on that data within a single unit, known as a class. This practice restricts direct access to some of an object’s components, promoting data hiding and protecting the internal state of the object from unintended modifications. By using encapsulation, developers can create more modular, maintainable, and reusable code. It allows for changes in implementation without affecting external code that relies on the object’s public interface, thereby enhancing code robustness and reducing dependencies between different parts of a program.