Conservation and optimal utilization of available water resources for drinking and other high end use has become extremely important due to multiple issues like increasing population, increased demand for purified water, increased pollution of existing water bodies due to industrial effluents, and rapid uncontrolled urbanization with its concomitant water pollution. In this context, desalination of water is seen as a viable option to get drinking water from sea water. This review looks at a broad range of nanoporous membranes used for water desalination. Nanoporous membranes are being preferred over conventional membranes because of high energy consumption and low salt rejection in the latter. We present detailed review of the various methods and materials used and the challenges faced in both fabrication and maintenance of these nanoporous membranes.