Arsenic is considered as one of the most carcinogenic water pollutants found in the atmosphere, soils, rocks, natural waters and organisms. Presence of arsenic even in low concentration in drinking water is considered as carcinogen because consume of arsenic for a long term can cause skin, lung, bladder, liver and kidney cancer. This review article focuses on the background history of arsenic occurrences in the environment and examines both established and advanced removal techniques for its removal, including oxidation, coagulation/precipitation, adsorption, membrane processes, ion exchange and other techniques. In addition, a brief account of the application of various cutting-edge materials for arsenic removal, such as conducting polymers, and metal organic frameworks/quantum dots. It also discusses several promising nano-adsorbents such as iron oxide/hydroxide nanoparticles, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes etc. highlighting their pros and cons of each in terms of arsenic removal. The discussion also covers emerging functional materials like graphene, metal organic frameworks, zeolites and other such impending materials. The article also highlights the need for arsenic removal technology that is simple, user-friendly, cost-effective, low-maintenance, highly efficient in the field, and accessible to low-income communities.