Aquifer mapping is a multidisciplinary and a holistic scientific approach wherein a combination of geologic, geophysical, hydrologic and chemical analysis is applied to characterize the quantity, quality and sustainability of ground water in aquifers. In recent past, there has been a paradigm shift from “Ground Water Development” to “Ground Water Management”. As large parts of India particularly hard rocks have become water stressed due to rapid growth in demand for water due to population growth, irrigation, urbanization and changing life style. Therefore, in order to have an accurate and comprehensive micro-level picture of groundwater in India, aquifer mapping in different hydrogeological settings at the appropriate scale is devised and implemented, to enable robust groundwater management plans. This will help in achieving drinking water security, improved irrigation facility and sustainability in water resources development in large parts of rural and many parts of urban India. The aquifer mapping program is important for planning suitable adaptation strategies to meet climate change also. Thus the crux of National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) is not merely mapping, but reaching the goal-that of ground water management through community participation.