In News:

The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) until December 2028, marking a transition from merely building water infrastructure to ensuring sustained and reliable service delivery in rural areas. The decision aims to consolidate earlier achievements and strengthen long-term drinking water supply systems across villages in India.

About Jal Jeevan Mission

The Jal Jeevan Mission is a flagship programme of the Government of India that seeks to provide safe and adequate drinking water to all rural households through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC).

• Launch Date: 15 August 2019
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti
• Core Objective: Achieve “Har Ghar Jal” by ensuring 55 litres of potable water per person per day to every rural household through tap connections.

The mission addresses long-standing challenges related to water scarcity, unsafe drinking water, and the burden of water collection, particularly faced by women and children in rural India.

Shift in Focus: Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0

With the extension until 2028, the mission is entering a new phase often described as JJM 2.0, where the emphasis moves beyond infrastructure creation to sustainable water service delivery.

Key aspects include:

• Utility-Based Service Delivery: The programme will focus on continuous and reliable water supply systems, supported by structural reforms and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with State governments to improve management and accountability.
• Digital Monitoring – Sujalam Bharat Framework: Under the Sujalam Bharat Digital Framework, each village will receive a unique “Sujal Gaon ID”. This system digitally maps the entire water supply chain—from source to household tap— enabling improved monitoring, transparency, and data-driven decision-making.
• Water Quality Monitoring: The mission prioritises regular water quality testing through:
  • Field Test Kits at the village level
  • Accredited water testing laboratories

This helps detect contaminants and ensures that drinking water meets safety standards.

• Greywater Management: To ensure sustainability, the programme incorporates greywater management, involving:
  • Construction of soak pits
  • Use of wastewater in kitchen gardens and local irrigation

This reduces water wastage and promotes sustainable water use.

Convergence with Other Schemes

The mission promotes integration with several government initiatives, including:

• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
• Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)
• Grants recommended by the 15th Finance Commission

Such convergence helps strengthen water conservation, recharge structures, and source sustainability.