Housing is universally acknowledged as the second most essential human need after food and is considered a major economic asset of every nation. Internationally, housing is recognized as a factor for the assessment of human development and societal civilization (UNO, 1976). Humanity has been living in these houses and especially villages for centuries, and the way people build their houses and group them is the result of centuries of experience, which is the result of continuous interaction between the culture of the community and the physical environment of the region (Chandhoke, 1977). There were various housing programs and policies in India since independence as there is an acute shortage of quality housing. This paper aims at understanding the rural housing programs & policies in India and critical review aspects related to housing design.