**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Jal Shakti will host a National Workshop on R&D in Water on June 1, 2026, in New Delhi to strengthen India's water research and innovation ecosystem. The workshop aims to foster convergence between government, industry, and academia through the launch of key initiatives like MAHA on Water and the BHARAT-WIN portal. Immediate action items include an open call for research proposals and the formalization of a strategic partnership with ISRO.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Major Initiatives and Launches**
* **MAHA on Water:** Launch of the "Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas for Water," a joint initiative with ANRF to promote R&D in priority areas such as drinking water, climate resilience, and water-use efficiency.
* **BHARAT-WIN Portal:** An open call for Startups and MSMEs to support product and prototype development within the water sector.
* **JSJB:CTR Platform:** Launch of "Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain," a participatory digital platform for documenting community-led water conservation and groundwater recharge.
* **Strategic Partnerships**
* **ISRO Collaboration:** Expected signing of an MoU between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and ISRO to utilize satellite-based applications for water resource assessment and monitoring across 24 priority areas.
* **Technical and Strategic Focus**
* **Thematic Sessions:** Technical discussions covering groundwater management, irrigation practices, river morphology, dam safety, and urban aquifer mapping.
* **Research Evaluation:** Assessment of water-sector research outcomes from the past 12 years to inform strategic priorities for the 16th Finance Commission cycle.
* **Technology Showcase:** An exhibition featuring innovative technologies and best practices from research institutions, startups, and MSMEs.
**Impact Analysis**
**Academic and Research Institutions**
* **Impact:** They gain access to a strengthened R&D ecosystem and new funding opportunities through high-impact research missions.
* **Action Required:** Submit research proposals under the open call for the MAHA on Water initiative.
**Startups and MSMEs**
* **Impact:** These entities receive a dedicated platform for demonstrating cutting-edge solutions and receiving support for prototype development.
* **Action Required:** Apply for support through the BHARAT-WIN Portal and participate in the workshop exhibition.
**Government Agencies (Ministry of Jal Shakti and ISRO)**
* **Impact:** Enhanced technical capabilities for water governance through satellite-based monitoring and advanced technology.
* **Action Required:** Execute the MoU and implement the identified 24 priority studies for water resource management.
**Community and Local Bodies**
* **Impact:** Citizens and local institutions are empowered to participate in water security through grassroots innovation and behavioral change.
* **Action Required:** Use the JSJB:CTR digital platform to document and showcase local water conservation and rainwater harvesting efforts.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The primary government body organizing the national workshop and overseeing the launch of several water-related R&D and conservation initiatives.
MAHA on Water (Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas for Water): A joint initiative by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and ANRF to promote cutting-edge research in priority areas like water resources management and climate resilience.
BHARAT-WIN Portal: A digital portal launched to support startups and MSMEs in the water sector through open calls for product and prototype development.
Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain (JSJB:CTR): A participatory digital platform designed to strengthen community-led water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge initiatives.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): A key research body partnering with the Ministry of Jal Shakti to drive innovation and high-impact research initiatives in the water sector.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Government, Industry and Academia Converge
to Strengthen India’s Water Research and
Innovation Ecosystem
National Workshop on R&D in Water to Drive Bharat’s Next
Wave of Water Innovation to be Held in New Delhi
Posted On: 31 MAY 2026 10:33AM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Jal Shakti will organize the National Workshop on R&D in Water on 1 June 2026 at Dr.
Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
The one-day workshop will be attended and jointly inaugrated by Shri C.R. Patil, Union Minister of Jal
Shakti; Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Shri Raj
Bhushan Choudhary, Minister of State, Ministry of Jal Shakti; and Dr. V. Narayanan, Secretary,
Department of Space & Chairman, ISRO, Secretary, DST; Secretary, DoDWS; Secretary, DoWR,
RD&GR; Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Water Mission; and CEO, ANRF, along with
other senior officials.
Coming together of Government, Industry and Academia marks a significant step towards strengthening
India’s water research ecosystem and accelerating innovation-driven solutions for sustainable water
management, while fostering stronger convergence among scientific institutions, policymakers, academia,
startups, technical organizations and community stakeholders.
A major highlight of the event will be the launch of MAHA on Water (Mission for Advancement in
High-Impact Areas for Water), a joint initiative of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and ANRF to promote
cutting-edge research in priority areas such as water resources management, drinking water, climate
resilience and water-use efficiency. An open call for research proposals under the initiative will also be
announced.
The Ministry will further launch an open call for Startups and MSMEs under the BHARAT-WIN Portal
to support product and prototype development in the water sector.
The workshop will also witness the launch of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain (JSJB:CTR),
a participatory digital platform designed to strengthen community-led water conservation efforts by
enabling citizens, institutions and local bodies to document and showcase water conservation, rainwater
harvesting and groundwater recharge initiatives. Reinforcing the vision of “Whole of Government and
Whole of Society,” the platform will promote Jan Bhagidari, behavioural change, local participation and
grassroots innovations as key drivers of long-term water security and climate resilience.The Ministry of Jal Shakti and ISRO are expected to sign a MoU to strengthen satellite-based applications
and advanced technologies for water resource assessment, monitoring and management, with 24 priority
studies and areas of cooperation already identified.
The workshop will feature multiple technical sessions covering key themes such as groundwater
management, irrigation practices, river morphology, floodplain inundation mapping, climate resilience,
ecological assessments, dam and hydraulic structure safety, urban aquifer mapping and the application of
remote sensing and advanced technologies in water governance.
End-user beneficiaries and PIs will share successful practices, key learnings and tangible outcomes from
research interventions. Deliberations will also assess the impact of water-sector research undertaken over
the past 12 years and discuss strategic priorities and the way forward for the 16th Finance Commission
cycle.
An exhibition showcasing innovative technologies, research outcomes and best practices in the water
sector will be organized alongside the workshop. The exhibition will provide a platform for research
institutions, startups, MSMEs and technical organizations to demonstrate cutting-edge solutions for
sustainable and technology-enabled water management.
The workshop is expected to provide strategic direction for research-led policymaking, innovation
ecosystems and community participation, further strengthening India's efforts towards long-term water
security and sustainable water management.
***
ND/HM
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