This article examines the changes in access to basic amenities like drinking water, sanitation, electricity, housing qualities and drainage arrangement for rural and urban India during 1993, 2002 and 2008–2009 using National Sample Survey’s Housing Conditions unit record data across social and economic groups. With respect to all the indicators of basic amenities, improvement was observed between 1993 to 2008–2009 with acceleration during 2002 and 2008–2009. Basic amenities such as drinking water facility, sanitation facilities and drainage arrangement require special attention in both rural and urban areas with more focus towards rural areas. Even for identical economic groups (poor and non-poor), SCs and STs were found lagging behind in reducing the gap with lower rate of improvement than others and also in the existing levels in 2008–2009. It indicates that even if same economic conditions prevail there is variation in attainment by different social groups. Results suggest that there are factors acting as constraints based on social backgrounds leading to denial on access to basic amenities. Findings of this study implies that various policies on basic amenities needs to be supplemented with pro poor and group specific policies (social) for raising the overall standard of life and well-being.