A new functionalized poly(vinly alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel (resin) has been synthesized in green aqueous medium through simple chemical method for the study of effectiveness in removing zinc ions from aqueous solution. The nature of the resin has been elucidated with the help of chemical, spectral and thermal analysis. The zinc ion uptake was studied in the light of solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dose and metal ion concentration. The resin (StyS - PVA graft copolymer) acts as a hydrogel as well as ion exchanger. The functional groups present in the resin are responsible for the retention of zinc ions. A plausible mechanism for zinc ion extraction has been suggested.