We report the effective synthesis of carbon-silicon nano composites (CSNCs) from silica rich bamboo leaves using the carbonization method and validate their nitrate adsorption ability. The indigenously synthesized carbon materials were characterized via FESEM and XRD analysis. Nitrate ion adsorption efficiency of CSNCs (45.35%) was 2.06 fold (45.35%) higher than their bulk counterparts. The nitrate adsorption mechanism on the CSNCs was further investigated using FTIR, RAMAN and XPS spectroscopic analysis and the results revealed that the CSNCs could adsorb nitrate ions onto their surfaces through physisorption.. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.