This paper charts the institutions and actors in the climate change adaptation (CCA) space in rural and urban semi-arid India and finds that development and adaptation span a continuum in policy and practice. The publication interrogates policies, programmes and projects in India. Adaptation is a key process for human and natural systems ti deal with current and future impacts of climate change. While focussed on climate change, it is recognised that for adaptation action to be effective, it must take into account inherent vulnerabilities arising from social differentiation, historical trajectories if marginalisation and inequality, and differential asset bases as well as macro-dynamics in markets, policies, and natural resources. In India, a fast growing economy with multiple development challenges, addressing development deficits have been the main focus of policymakers and development practitioners. These have been initiated, planned, managed and implemented by various actors from the national and sub-national government to international donor and development agencies, non-government organisations, and communities themselves.