India’s Water Resources Management 2026–27: A Comprehensive Review of Policies, Programmes & Progress

Introduction: Water Security as a National Imperative

• Water is no longer just a natural resource—it is a strategic asset for India’s economic stability, agricultural sustainability, public health, and ecological resilience. With declining per capita water availability, erratic monsoons, groundwater depletion, pollution of rivers, and increasing climate-induced disasters such as floods and droughts, India faces a complex water challenge.
• The Ministry of Jal Shakti, through the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), is entrusted with addressing these challenges through policy formulation, programme implementation, inter-State coordination, and international water diplomacy. The Annual Report 2024–25 presents a detailed account of how India is strengthening water governance using science, technology, infrastructure investment, and community participation.

Institutional and Policy Framework

• The Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR) serves as the nodal authority for India’s water governance architecture. It is responsible for framing national policies and strategies related to water resource development, regulation, and sustainable management, ensuring alignment with the country’s long-term development and climate resilience goals.
• The Department’s core mandates include national water planning and regulation, development and integrated management of surface and groundwater resources, resolution of inter-State river water disputes through tribunals and their effective implementation, and strengthening flood management and dam safety mechanisms to minimise loss of life and infrastructure. A key focus area is river rejuvenation, particularly of the Ganga and other major river systems, through pollution abatement, ecological restoration, and sustainable flow management.
• Operationally, DoWR, RD & GR functions through 12 specialised functional wings, enabling focused attention on policy formulation, project appraisal, technical evaluation, legal and institutional coordination, and international cooperation. Its work is reinforced by a network of expert technical and implementation bodies, including the Central Water Commission (CWC) for surface water and hydrological assessments, the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) for aquifer mapping and groundwater regulation, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) for river rejuvenation initiatives, the National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) for water data integration and digital platforms, and the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) for enforcing dam safety standards.
• Collectively, this institutional framework ensures science-based decision-making, robust regulatory oversight, and coordinated execution across States, strengthening cooperative federalism and enhancing India’s capacity to address complex and evolving water challenges.

Major Schemes and Their Impact

1.  Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): “Har Khet Ko Paani”

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) continues to be India’s flagship programme for expanding irrigation coverage and promoting efficient water use in agriculture. Anchored in the vision of “Har Khet Ko Paani” (water to every field), the scheme adopts an integrated approach by combining major and medium irrigation projects, surface minor irrigation, and restoration of traditional water bodies.

• Under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) component of PMKSY, 99 major and medium irrigation projects were identified for focused implementation. As of November 2024, 62 projects have been completed, resulting in the creation of 25.80 lakh hectares of additional irrigation potential. This expansion has significantly improved assured water availability in water-stressed and rain-dependent regions, strengthening agricultural productivity.
• Complementing large infrastructure development, PMKSY has also emphasised decentralised and local-level interventions. More than 3,160 Surface Minor Irrigation schemes have been completed, providing targeted irrigation solutions to small and marginal farmers. In addition, 1,661 water bodies have been rejuvenated under the Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) initiative, enhancing local storage capacity, improving groundwater recharge, and restoring traditional water management systems.
• Collectively, these interventions have had a multidimensional impact. They have increased irrigation coverage, reduced dependence on erratic monsoon rainfall, improved crop intensity, and contributed to the stabilisation of farm incomes. By strengthening water security at the farm level, PMKSY has also supported rural livelihoods, enhanced climate resilience in agriculture, and reinforced the long-term sustainability of India’s agrarian economy.

2.  Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL)

ATAL JAL focuses on sustainable groundwater management through community participation.
Coverage and scale:

• Implemented in 8,203 Gram Panchayats
• Covers 229 blocks in 80 districts
• Spread across 7 water-stressed States
• Addresses regions accounting for ~37% of India’s over-exploited and critical groundwater blocks

Impact approach:

• Village-level water budgeting
• Demand-side management and crop diversification
• Performance-based incentives to States and communities

The programme has shifted groundwater governance from extraction to sustainability.

3.  National Aquifer Mapping & Ground Water Management Programme

This programme provides scientific support for groundwater planning and regulation.
Numeric achievements:

• ~25 lakh square kilometres of aquifer area mapped
• 22,000+ groundwater monitoring stations operational nationwide
• Thousands of Digital Water Level Recorders (DWLRs) installed for real-time monitoring

The data generated supports safe extraction limits, recharge planning, and transparent groundwater regulation.

4.  National Mission for Clean Ganga (Namami Gange)

Namami Gange is India’s largest river rejuvenation programme, operating on a basin-level approach.
Key figures:

• Programme outlay: ₹22,500 crore
• Implementation period: till March 2026
• Covers ~2,525 km of the Ganga main stem
• Targets pollution abatement in 5 major basin States

Core interventions include:

• Sewage treatment infrastructure
• Industrial effluent control
• River surface cleaning
• Biodiversity conservation and ecological flow maintenance

The programme has transformed river management from fragmented projects to integrated river basin governance.

5.  Flood Management and Disaster Mitigation Programme

India’s flood management strategy integrates forecasting, infrastructure, and preparedness.

Key numbers:

• 340 flood forecasting stations operational
• Coverage of 20 major river systems
• Spread across 25 States and Union Territories

These systems enable early warnings, significantly reducing loss of life and damage to property during flood events.

6.  Dam Safety and Rehabilitation Programme

India manages one of the world’s largest dam networks, making safety critical.
Programme coverage:

• 736 dams taken up under DRIP (Phase II & III)
• Spread across 19 States and 3 Central agencies

Focus areas:

• Structural strengthening
• Modern instrumentation
• Emergency Action Plans

The programme enhances the safety and lifespan of aging dam infrastructure.

7.  National Hydrology Project (NHP)

The National Hydrology Project strengthens India’s hydrological data and decision-making capacity.
Scale and reach:

• Implemented by 48 Central and State agencies
• Covers all major river basins in the country

Key outcomes:

• Real-time hydrological data systems
• Basin-level water resource planning
• Improved flood forecasting and water allocation

8.  Interlinking of Rivers Programme

This programme addresses regional water imbalances through inter-basin water transfers.

• Flagship project: Ken–Betwa Link
• Irrigation potential: 10.62 lakh hectares
• Drinking water supply: ~62 lakh people
• Power generation: 103 MW hydropower + 27 MW solar
• Primary benefit region: Bundelkhand (UP & MP)

It marks India’s first operational river interlinking project.

9.  Water Conservation & Community Participation Initiatives

Community-driven initiatives promote rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
Key targets and progress:

• Target of 1 million recharge shafts
• ~25,000 recharge structures completed by 2024
• Participation from RWAs, industries, NGOs, and local bodies

These initiatives embed water conservation into everyday governance and citizen behaviour.

Water Resources Scenario in India

India faces growing water stress due to high population pressure, uneven rainfall distribution, declining groundwater levels, and climate variability. Although the country supports nearly 18% of the world’s population, it has access to only about 4% of global freshwater resources, making efficient water management essential.

• India’s average annual water availability is about 1,999 BCM, but only 1,123 BCM is utilisable, comprising 690 BCM surface water and 433 BCM groundwater. The spatial and seasonal imbalance of rainfall further limits effective availability.
• Per capita water availability has declined sharply—from about 5,177 m³ in 1951 to around 1,486 m³ in 2021, placing India in the water-stressed category (below 1,700 m³). It is projected to fall further to nearly 1,367 m³ by 2031, approaching water scarcity levels.
• India receives an average annual rainfall of 1,170 mm, nearly 75–80% of which occurs during the south-west monsoon (June–September). This heavy dependence on monsoon rainfall results in floods during high-intensity events and droughts during deficient years.
• Groundwater plays a critical role, supplying 60% of irrigation, 85% of rural drinking water, and 50% of urban water needs. However, over 25% of groundwater assessment blocks are classified as over-exploited, critical, or semi-critical, particularly in north-western and southern States.

Sector-wise water use shows agriculture as the dominant consumer:

• Agriculture: 78%
• Industry: 13%
• Domestic use: 9%

Water quality degradation due to untreated sewage, industrial discharge, and geogenic contaminants such as arsenic and fluoride further reduces usable water resources.
Climate change is intensifying water stress through erratic rainfall, increased floods and droughts, and higher evapotranspiration losses. These challenges underline the need for integrated water resource management, groundwater regulation, water-use efficiency, and community-led conservation, forming the basis for India’s ongoing water sector programmes

External Assistance in the Water Resources Sector

External assistance supplements national efforts in the water resources sector by providing technical expertise, long-term financing, and global best practices for sustainable water management. It supports the implementation of complex and capital-intensive projects, particularly in irrigation modernisation, dam safety, flood management, groundwater sustainability, and hydrological data systems, while aligning with India’s policy priorities and development goals.

• India receives external assistance primarily from institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), KfW (Germany), and the French Development Agency (AFD). These agencies support projects aligned with national priorities and State-level water sector reforms.

Key externally assisted programmes include:

• National Hydrology Project (NHP) supported by the World Bank, covering 48 Central and State implementing agencies, aimed at modernising hydrological data systems and decision-support tools.
• Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP – Phase II & III), funded by the World Bank and AIIB, covering 736 dams across 19 States and 3 Central agencies, focusing on dam safety, instrumentation, and emergency preparedness.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL), with World Bank support, implemented in 8,203 Gram Panchayats across 7 States, promoting sustainable groundwater management through community participation.
• State-level irrigation, flood management, and river basin projects supported by ADB, JICA, and AFD, improving irrigation efficiency, urban water supply, and climate resilience.
• External assistance also supports institutional strengthening, policy reforms, environmental safeguards, social inclusion, and knowledge transfer, ensuring that global best practices are integrated into India’s water governance framework.

Organisations and Institutions in Ground Water Management 

India’s water resources sector is supported by a network of specialised organisations responsible for policy formulation, technical planning, regulation, data management, project implementation, and research. These institutions provide the scientific and administrative foundation for effective water governance at both national and State levels.

• The Central Water Commission (CWC) is the apex technical body for surface water planning, irrigation, flood management, and dam safety. It operates a national flood forecasting network of about 340 stations, covering 20 major river systems across 25 States and Union Territories, and provides technical appraisal for major and medium irrigation projects.
• The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is responsible for groundwater assessment and regulation. It monitors groundwater levels and quality through a nationwide network of 22,000+ observation wells and has mapped aquifers over ~25 lakh sq. km under the National Aquifer Mapping Programme, supporting sustainable groundwater management.
• The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) leads river rejuvenation efforts in the Ganga basin, covering a river stretch of approximately 2,525 km and its major tributaries across five basin States, with a focus on pollution abatement, ecological restoration, and public participation.
• The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) oversees the safety of large dams in India. Under dam safety and rehabilitation initiatives, 736 dams across 19 States and 3 Central agencies are covered for structural strengthening, monitoring, and emergency preparedness.
• The National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) manages national water data systems, including India-WRIS and real-time hydrological platforms that integrate data from rivers, reservoirs, rainfall stations, and groundwater networks across all major river basins.
• Research and technical support are provided by institutions such as the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), and Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS), which undertake studies on flood modelling, sediment management, dam safety, and climate-resilient water infrastructure.
• Together, these organisations ensure coordinated planning, scientific implementation, regulatory oversight, and data-driven decision-making, forming a robust institutional framework for sustainable and climate-resilient water resources management in India.

Public Sector Enterprises in Groundwater Management 

Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) play a supporting role in the water resources sector by providing engineering, construction, consultancy, and project management services for large-scale irrigation, river development, hydropower, and flood management projects. These enterprises assist Central and State governments in implementing technically complex and capital-intensive water infrastructure projects.

• Key PSEs include WAPCOS Limited, a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which provides consultancy services in water resources, irrigation, flood control, and hydropower projects in India and abroad. WAPCOS has contributed to over 1,000 projects across 60+ countries, supporting project planning, design, and implementation.
• National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC) Limited undertakes civil and engineering works related to irrigation canals, barrages, pumping stations, and flood protection infrastructure. It supports Central and State agencies in executing water-related works, particularly in remote and challenging locations.
• Other public sector entities and engineering PSUs contribute through construction of dams, canals, lift irrigation systems, and water conveyance structures, as well as through operation and maintenance support. These enterprises strengthen execution capacity, ensure quality control, and promote timely completion of projects.
• Overall, Public Sector Enterprises enhance the Government’s ability to deliver critical water infrastructure, complementing policy and regulatory institutions and supporting the national objective of sustainable and resilient water resource development.

Conclusion

India’s water resources management approach in 2024–25 demonstrates a strong shift towards integrated, data-driven, and sustainability-oriented governance. In the context of declining per capita water availability, groundwater stress, climate variability, and rising demand, the country has strengthened its response through targeted policies, large-scale programmes, and institutional reforms.
Flagship initiatives such as PMKSY, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Namami Gange, the National Hydrology Project, flood management, and dam safety programmes have expanded irrigation coverage, promoted sustainable groundwater use, improved river health, enhanced disaster preparedness, and modernised water data systems. These efforts are supported by a robust institutional framework, external assistance, and the execution capacity of Public Sector Enterprises.

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