The Ministry of Rural Development is mandated to provide safe drinking water in all rural habitations. To achieve this objective, Department of Drinking Water Supply, under the Ministry of Rural Development is implementing a number of programmes like National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) to resolve drinking water crisis in rural areas. ARWSP which was started in 1972-73 assists States and UTs with 100% grants-in-aid to implement drinking water supply schemes in villages.

A mission approach was given to the entire programme when a Technology Mission on Drinking Water Management, named as the National Drinking Water Mission (NDWM), was introduced in 1986. NDWM was renamed as Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission (RGNDWM) in 1991 and Department of Drinking Water Supply was created in the year 1999.

Ensuring equity in availability of safe drinking water with regard to gender, socially and economically weaker sections of the society, school children, socially vulnerable groups such as pregnant and lactating mothers, especially disabled and senior citizens, etc. has been one of the prime concerns while drafting the Eleventh Plan document.

It was also decided that the major issues which need tackling during this period are problem of sustainability, water availability and supply, poor water quality, centralized vs. decentralized approaches. In order to give effect to these issues, the Rural Water Supply Guidelines have been revised w.e.f. 1.4.2009. The revised guidelines are known as National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP).