Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Jal Shakti on 3rd August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
This report outlines the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s initiatives for sustainable water management and groundwater conservation, emphasizing the shift toward community-led schemes and digital monitoring. It details the pilot phase of the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ending October 15, 2025) and the implementation of the Water Information Management System (through September 30, 2025). The document highlights the Central Government’s role in providing technical and financial aid to States through advanced mapping, real-time data collection, and satellite-based monitoring.
Key Points / Main Content
Groundwater Management and Mapping
Atal Bhujal Yojana: A community-led pilot scheme implemented in 8,203 water-stressed Gram Panchayats across seven states (01.04.2020 to 15.10.2025) to improve demand-side management.
NAQUIM Program: The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has mapped 25 lakh sq. km under Phase 1.0; Phase 2.0 is currently utilizing state-of-the-art technologies for detailed scientific data and decision-making.
IN-GRES: A web-based application (India-Groundwater Resource Estimation System) providing a standardized platform for national groundwater assessment.
Digital Monitoring and Real-Time Data
Real-Time Monitoring: 5,260 DWLRs (Digital Water Level Recorders) are installed under the National Hydrology Project, with thousands more integrated from State Governments and the Atal Bhujal Yojana.
Flood and Reservoir Tracking: The ‘Flood Watch India’ app provides real-time monitoring and forecasts for 592 flood stations and 150 major reservoirs.
Water Information Management System (WIMS): A centralized platform for hydrological data, storage, and dissemination implemented up to September 30, 2025.
Conservation and Infrastructure Initiatives
Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB): Launched in 2024, resulting in over 1.55 crore geo-tagged groundwater recharge and storage structures as of May 31, 2026.
JSA: CTR Dashboard: Tracks the "Catch the Rain" campaign, which has recorded more than 2.0 crore water conservation and artificial recharge works as of July 28, 2026.
Water Body Census: Identified and geo-tagged more than 24.2 lakh water bodies across the country.
Technology Integration
Remote Sensing and GIS: Collaboration with BISAG-N and the Space Application Centre for mapping and monitoring water resources.
PMKSY Monitoring: Employs geo-tagging and digital tools to track the progress of irrigation projects and the restoration of surface minor irrigation schemes.
Hydrological Assessment: The Central Water Commission (CWC) utilizes advanced tools for measuring river discharge, velocity, and rainfall to evaluate the performance of water resource projects.
Impact Analysis
State GovernmentsImpact
As water is a State subject, these governments are primarily responsible for sustainable development and management. They receive technical and financial assistance from the Center but must manage grassroots implementation.
Action Required
Must implement the district-level aquifer management plans disseminated by the CGWB and utilize centralized digital data for local policy interventions.
Gram Panchayats (Priority Water-Stressed Areas)Impact
Designated as the leaders of community-led participatory groundwater management under schemes like Atal Bhujal Yojana.
Action Required
Lead community-driven investments and management actions focusing on demand-side water management.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) & Central Water Commission (CWC)Impact
These agencies act as the technical facilitators, responsible for national-scale mapping, real-time monitoring, and the development of digital assessment tools.
Action Required
Maintain and update digital dashboards (WIMS, IN-GRES, NAQUIM) and provide scientific data to State/District administrations.
Farmers and Irrigation BeneficiariesImpact
Affected by the planning and implementation of irrigation infrastructure under PMKSY and groundwater recharge initiatives.
Action Required
Engage with community-led conservation measures and utilize improved irrigation infrastructure as projects are completed.
Key Entities Referenced
Atal Bhujal Yojana: A community-led participatory groundwater management scheme implemented as a pilot across water-stressed areas in seven Indian states.
National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM): A programme implemented by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) utilizing advanced technologies for aquifer mapping and sustainable groundwater management plans.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): A national scheme employing technology-enabled monitoring systems for irrigation infrastructure and water conservation interventions.
National Hydrology Project (NHP): A project facilitating real-time groundwater monitoring and the establishment of the integrated Water Information Management System (WIMS).
Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB): An initiative launched in 2024 to promote rainwater harvesting as a mass movement and monitor the construction of water recharge structures.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
WATER MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION
प्रव तथ: 03 AUG 2026 3:21PM by PIB Delhi
Atal Bhujal Yojana, a community-led participatory groundwater management scheme, was implemented
as a pilot scheme across 8,203 priority water stressed Gram Panchayats in 229 blocks in 80 districts of
seven States viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar
Pradesh during the period 01.04.2020 to 15.10.2025. The State-wise number of Gram Panchayats covered
under the Scheme is available on the website of Department of Water Resources, River Development and
Ganga Rejuvenation at following web-link: https://www.jalshakti-dowr.gov.in/static/uploads/2026/07/415
c128c8892e9a870e6398d9195742a.pdf
The key objective of the pilot phase of Atal Bhujal Yojana was to improve the management of
groundwater resources in the water stressed areas of the selected States by implementing appropriate
investments/management actions led by the community through convergence of various Central and State
schemes focusing on demand side management. The Scheme aimed to achieve this objective by
strengthening institutional and governance frameworks and by incentivizing States to implement
groundwater conservation measures at the grassroots level. The key learnings of the pilot phase have been
shared with other States for replication.
Ministry of Jal Shakti has conducted water body census in the country. under this exercise more than 24.2
lakhs water bodies were identified, enumerated and geo tagged. Further, under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari
(JSJB) initiative more than 1.55 crore structures have been constructed for water conservation and ground
water recharge in the country. These have been geo tagged and are uploaded on the JSJB portal.
Water being a State subject, the sustainable development and management of water and groundwater
resources are primarily the responsibility of the respective State Governments. However, the Central
Government facilitates the efforts of the State Governments by way of technical and financial assistance
through various schemes and projects. In this direction, the Government employs a range of state-of-the-
art digital and technological tools not only for mapping and monitoring water resources of the country, but
also for planning precise policy interventions and evaluating performance of schemes. The details of the
major steps taken in this regard are as under:
i. National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM): The Central
Ground Water Board (CGWB) is implementing NAQUIM, utilizing advanced technologies
such as Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for aquifer
mapping, identifying recharge zones and assessing source sustainability. Under NAQUIM
Phase 1.0, the entire mappable area of the country of 25 lakh sq. kms has been mapped and
district level aquifer maps along with suitable management plans have been disseminated to
State/District administrations for implementation. Under NAQUIM 2.0 state-of-the-art
technologies are harnessed for generating highly detailed scientific data which serves as a tool
for making informed decisions for sustainable groundwater management.
ii. Real-Time Monitoring: CGWB conducts near real-time groundwater level monitoring
through 5,260 DWLRs installed under the National Hydrology Project (NHP). Forcomprehensive analysis of groundwater-level data, CGWB has also integrated data from
12,764 DWLRs installed by the State Governments under NHP and 6,266 DWLRs installed
under the Atal Bhujal Yojana.
iii. Web-based Platforms: CGWB developed the India-Groundwater Resource Estimation
System (IN-GRES), a web-based application that provides a standardized platform for
groundwater resource assessment across the country. Such data forms the scientific basis for
implementing schemes like MGNREGA, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jal Shakti Abhiyan etc.
iv. The JSA: CTR dashboard: is a central digital platform created under the National Water
Mission for monitoring, evaluating and managing the "Catch the Rain" (CTR) campaign
under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA). It serves as a data collection and analysis hub to track
progress on water conservation activities and facilitates the creation of scientific water
conservation plans. The dashboard indicates that, as on 28.07.2026, more than 2.0 crore water
conservation and artificial recharge works have been taken up through convergence in the
country.
v. Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) dashboard: Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative
has been launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in 2024 with a vision to make rain water
harvesting a mass movement in the country and for effective monitoring of recharge
structures created under this initiative, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Dashboard indicates that as
on 31st May 2026, more than 1.55 crore artificial groundwater recharge and storage works
have been reported to be constructed across the country.
vi. Reservoir level and Flood monitoring: ‘Flood Watch India’ app utilizes advanced
technologies such as satellite data analysis, mathematical modelling and real-time monitoring
to deliver accurate and timely flood forecasts. The app provides information about 592 flood
monitoring stations and the storage positions of 150 major reservoirs in the country.
vii. Use of Satellite and Remote sensing data: The Ministry is collaborating with agencies like
Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG -N)
and Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad for making use of satellite and remote sensing
data for various kinds of mapping and monitoring of water resources of the country.
viii. Technology-enabled monitoring under PMKSY: Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), technology-enabled monitoring systems are being employed for
planning, implementation and monitoring of irrigation infrastructure. GIS-based applications,
geo-tagging and digital project monitoring tools are used for tracking the progress of
irrigation projects and water conservation interventions under various components of
PMKSY.
ix. Geo-tagging and GIS-based monitoring of water bodies: Under the PMKSY–Har Khet Ko
Pani (HKKP) component, modern digital technologies such as geo-tagging, GIS mapping and
assignment of unique identification codes to individual water bodies are being used for
identification, monitoring and progress tracking of works undertaken under the Surface Minor
Irrigation (SMI) and Repair, Renovation & Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies schemes.
These technology-enabled tools enhance transparency, facilitate real-time monitoring and
support evidence-based planning and evaluation of water body restoration projects.
x. Water Information Management System (WIMS): Under the National Hydrology Project
(NHP), implemented up to 30.09.2025, an integrated Water Information Management System
(WIMS) was established for collection, storage, integration and dissemination of hydrological
data. The system provides a centralized platform for water availability assessment, reservoir
and canal operations, irrigation management, water accounting and enables evidence-based
decision-making for sustainable water resources management.
xi. Surface Water Assessment and Hydrological Monitoring: For scientific assessment of
surface water resources, a Water Resources Assessment Tool for basin-wise surface waterresource assessment has been developed. Advanced hydrological monitoring technologies
have been deployed by CWC for measuring river discharge and water velocity, measurement
of surface flow velocity, and real-time monitoring of hydrological parameters such as water
level and rainfall. The data generated through these technology-enabled systems are utilized
for water resources planning, assessment of water availability, informed decision-making and
performance evaluation of water resources projects.
xii. Extensive use of digital dashboards, web portals, mobile apps etc. is being made for collection
and dissemination of data and performance monitoring of several schemes of the Ministry like
NMCG, MI census, etc.
The information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN
CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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ND/HM
(Rajya Sabha USQ 1670)
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2293760) आगंतुक पटल : 1477
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