Access to groundwater is inextricably linked with agriculture, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience. Yet, in many parts of India, groundwater tables are falling, with extraction rates exceeding that of recharge. There have been many attempts and interventions to manage groundwater, but there has been no systematic assessment yet of how well these have worked, and in what contexts and regions. This paper attempts such an exercise, highlighting the common lessons learned, and points to an agenda for further research.