The Institute was established in December, 1979 by the Government of India as an autonomous society fully aided by the Union Ministry of Water Resources. Its main functions are:-

• To undertake, aid, promote and co-ordinate systematic and scientific work in all aspects of Hydrology

·     To co-operate and collaborate with other National, Foreign and International Organisations in the field of Hydrology

• To establish and maintain a research and reference library in pursuance of objectives of the Society and equip the same with books, reviews, magazines newspapers and other relevant publications.