River basin planning and management are primarily based on the accurate assessment and prediction of catchment runoff. A continuous effort has been made by the various researchers to accurately assess the runoff generated from precipitation by developing various models. In this paper conceptual hydrological MIKE 11 NAM approach has been used for developing a runoff simulation model for Arpasub-basin of Seonath river basin in Chhattisgarh, India. NAM model has been calibrated and validated using discharge data at Kota gauging site on Arpa basin. The calibration and validation results show that this model is capable to define the rainfall runoff process of the basin and thus predicting daily runoff. The ability of the NAM model in rainfall runoff modelling of Arpa basin was assessed using Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency Index (EI), coefficient of determination (R²) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). This study demonstrates the usefulness of the developed model for the runoff prediction in the Arpa basin which acts as a useful input for the integrated water resources development and management at the basin scale.