The SecureWater research programme of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), London, aims to increase understanding among interveners in the water sector of water-livelihood linkages. It seeks to build this understanding into efforts to eliminate poverty through establishing demand responsive approaches to water supply interventions. As part of this research project, Winrock International India (WII) undertook a review and analysis at the national level of contextual policies, programs and institutions in the rural drinking water sector in India. The objective of this analysis was to understand how community-based demand responsive approaches have been incorporated within this sector. A specific focus of enquiry was to critically explore the space within this new approach to address the issue of poverty alleviation under the mandate of the SecureWater research.