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/2026/07/415c128c8892e9a870e6398d9195742a.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:

1. 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.
2. Real-Time Monitoring: CGWB conducts near real-time groundwater level monitoring through 5,260 DWLRs installed under the National Hydrology Project (NHP). For comprehensive 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 31^st May 2026, more than 1.55 crore artificial groundwater recharge and storage works have been reported to be constructed across the country.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Surface Water Assessment and Hydrological Monitoring: For scientific assessment of surface water resources, a Water Resources Assessment Tool for basin-wise surface water resource 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.
12. 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)

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