Inter-state river water disputes in India have been a persistent and complex issue, rooted in historical, geographical, political, and economic factors. India’s federal structure vests states with considerable autonomy over natural resources, yet water, being a shared resource, often becomes a source of contention. The nature of these disputes is both legal and political, involving constitutional interpretation, competing developmental needs, regional aspirations, and sometimes, deep-seated historical grievances. These disputes manifest in conflicts over water allocation, usage rights, and management of river basins, and are often exacerbated by demographic pressures, economic growth, and climate variability. The nature of inter-state water disputes in India can be categorized into three broad types. The first relates to allocation disputes, where one state claims a larger share of water based on historical usage, irrigation needs, or population, while the other state contests the claim citing equity or ecological concerns. Classic examples include the disputes over the Krishna, Godavari, and Cauvery rivers. The Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu illustrates the intensity of such conflicts, where both states assert historical rights, and downstream versus upstream needs create competing claims. The second type concerns infrastructure and project-related disputes, such as dam construction, barrages, and interlinking canals. States upstream often seek to utilize rivers for hydropower generation or irrigation projects, leading to apprehensions in downstream states about reduced water availability. The controversy over the Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh versus Telangana and Odisha highlights how infrastructural initiatives can exacerbate tensions. The third type involves environmental and ecological disputes, where water diversion or pollution in one state affects the ecology and livelihoods in another, adding another layer of complexity. Several