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Water, being a State subject, places the responsibility for augmentation, conservation, and efficient management primarily on State Governments. However, the Central Government supplements efforts through technical and financial support. Recent assessments by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) highlight the growing challenge of water scarcity in India.

Water-Scarce Districts in India

• The “National Compilation of Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2024” jointly prepared by CGWB and State Governments, categorises districts based on groundwater status.
• Classification:
  • Over-exploited: 102 districts
  • Critical: 22 districts
  • Semi-critical: 69 districts
  • Total water-stressed districts:193
• Causes of Stress: Over-extraction for agriculture, rapid urbanisation, industrial demand, erratic monsoons, and climate variability.
• Geographic Spread: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka are among the most affected.

Government Initiatives

1. Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) – 2019 onwards

• A mission-mode campaign for water conservation in 256 water-stressed districts.
• Scaled up nationwide with the tagline: “Catch the Rain – Where it Falls, When it Falls.”

2. Thematic Focus under JSA: Catch the Rain (CTR)

• 2023 – Source Sustainability for Drinking Water: Focused on 150 districts identified by Jal Jeevan Mission.
• 2024 – Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti: Focused on 151 districts identified by CGWB, highlighting women’s role in water management.
• 2025 – Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Focused on 148 districts, emphasising community participation, inter-sectoral convergence, and innovative financing.

3. Institutional Mechanism

• Central Teams: Comprising Central Nodal Officers (Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary level) and Technical Officers from agencies like CWC, CGWB, NIH, CSMRS, CWPRS, etc., for field monitoring and technical support.
• State Nodal Officers: Oversee campaign execution at state level.
• 148 Central Nodal Officers appointed for high-focus districts in JSA: CTR 2025–26.

Significance of Water Scarcity Data

• Drinking Water Security: Ensures reliable access in rural and urban areas.
• Climate Adaptation: Builds resilience against droughts and erratic rainfall.
• Policy Planning: Provides evidence for programmes such as Jal Jeevan Mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana, and achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
• Public Awareness & Participation: Encourages community-led water conservation for sustainable outcomes.