**Policy Summary: Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Progress and Water Quality Standards**
As of August 14, 2025, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Har Ghar Jal, a program implemented by the Government of India in partnership with states since August 2019, has provided tap water connections to approximately 12.45 crore additional rural households, bringing the total to over 15.68 crore out of 19.36 crore rural households. At the program's launch, 3.23 crore rural households had tap water connections.
The JJM aims to provide potable water to every rural household. While drinking water is a state subject, the Government of India provides technical and financial assistance to supplement state efforts. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS:10500) is the benchmark for water quality under the JJM, specifying acceptable and permissible limits for various physio-chemical and bacteriological parameters.
To guide states, a "Concise Handbook for Monitoring Water Quality of Piped Drinking Water Supply to Rural Households" was released in December 2024. It recommends comprehensive water quality testing at various points (source, treatment plant, storage, and distribution) and outlines remedial actions, including cleaning overhead tanks.
Citizens can submit complaints or grievances through the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) at pgportal.gov.in, the Department's website (jalshaktiddws.gov.in), or other physical channels. A Citizen Corner on the JJM Dashboard displays village-level water quality test results.
The initial central outlay of ₹2,08,652 crore has been almost fully utilized. In the 2025 budget speech, the Finance Minister announced the extension of JJM until 2028, with an enhanced outlay to complete remaining works, prioritize infrastructure quality, and emphasize Operations and Maintenance (O&M) through Jan Bhagidhari for sustainable, citizen-centric water service delivery.
For further information, citizens can visit the provided websites.
Key Entities Referenced
Jal Jeevan Mission: Flagship program of the Government of India, in partnership with States, to provide potable water to every rural household; also known as JJM Har Ghar Jal
Bureau of Indian Standards: National Standards Body of India responsible for standardization, marking and quality certification of goods; referred to as BIS
BIS:10500: Indian Standard for Drinking Water Specification
Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System: Online platform for citizens to lodge and track grievances with government organizations; referred to as CPGRAMS
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian Government Ministry which is implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission.
SHRI V. SOMANNA: THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
Rajya Sabha: Upper house of the Parliament of India where a question was asked regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission.
States UTs: Refers to the States and Union Territories of India. They are responsible for the planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
NON-COMPLIANCE OF BIS FOR DRINKING
WATER QUALITY
Posted On: 18 AUG 2025 2:33PM by PIB Delhi
Since August 2019, Government of India, in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission
(JJM) – Har Ghar Jal to make provision of potable water to every rural household of the country. At the time
of announcement of JJM, 3.23 Crore (17%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So
far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 14.08.2025, around 12.45 crore additional rural households have been
provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 14.08.2025, out of 19.36 crore rural households, more than
15.68 crore (81%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.
Drinking Water being a state subject, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and
maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission, lies with
State/UT Governments. The Government of India supplements the States by providing technical and financial
assistance. Under JJM, as per existing guidelines, Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards are
adopted as benchmark for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes. BIS
specifies ‘acceptable limit’ and ‘permissible limit in the absence of alternate source’ for various physio-
chemical and bacteriological parameters for drinking water quality.
In consultation with various stakeholders 'Concise Handbook for Monitoring Water Quality of Piped
Drinking Water Supply to Rural Households’ has been released in December 2024 for guidance to
States/ UT’s. This handbook recommended for a comprehensive testing of drinking water samples
at various testing points such as source, treatment plant, storage and distribution points, and
remedial action wherever necessary, to ensure that the water supplied to households is of
prescribed quality. The recommended remedial action inter alia includes cleaning of overhead tanks
in case of contamination.
Citizens can submit complaints/grievances through the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring
System (CPGRAMS) at pgportal.gov.in, the Department’s website at jalshakti-ddws.gov.in, and other
physical channels.
A ‘Citizen Corner’ was also developed on the JJM Dashboard. The corner included display of village
level water quality test results in the public domain to further create awareness and build confidence
among people about the quality of water supplies through the PWS in rural areas.
At the time of the launch, the Government also approved support for the States/ UTs with a central
outlay of 2,08,652 crore which has almost been utilized. Hon’ble Finance Minister during budget
speech 2025 announced the extension of JJM until 2028 with enhanced outlay for completing the
remaining works under JJM by prioritizing the quality of infrastructure and Operations and
Maintenance (O&M) of rural piped water supply schemes through “Jan Bhagidhari” to ensure
sustainability and citizen-centric water service delivery.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V.
SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
MAM/SMP
(Rajya Sabha US Q2811)(Release ID: 2157429)