The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) monitors groundwater levels across the country through manual stations measured four times a year. According to the latest data, overall groundwater conditions in India continue to show steady improvement owing to sustained conservation efforts by the Government and other stakeholders.

In Karnataka’s Bengaluru Urban, Chikkaballapura and Kolar districts, CGWB analysis shows that 76.7 per cent of monitored wells — 33 out of 43 — recorded higher groundwater levels in November 2024 (post-monsoon) compared with the decadal post-monsoon average from 2014 to 2023.

Groundwater regulation at the national level is handled by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), while 17 States and Union Territories have their own regulatory bodies. CGWA issues No Objection Certificates for groundwater extraction under its September 2020 guidelines, and imposes heavy penalties, Environmental Compensation charges and even seals borewells in cases of illegal extraction. District Collectors and Magistrates are also empowered to enforce these rules.

To strengthen regulation, the Ministry of Jal Shakti earlier drafted a Model ‘Groundwater (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Bill’, which provides a regulatory framework to curb indiscriminate extraction while promoting rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge. The Model Bill has been adopted by 21 States and Union Territories, including Karnataka. The Ministry continues to advise States to enhance regulation and accelerate conservation measures.

While water is a State subject, the Central Government supports sustainable development and management of groundwater through technical and financial assistance under various schemes. Key among these is the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), a nationwide, mission-mode programme running annually since 2019. Under JSA, around 121 million water conservation and artificial recharge works have been completed in the past four years through convergence of multiple schemes. JSA 2025 is currently under way with a special focus on over-exploited and critical areas.

To enhance community participation, the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative has been launched as a nationwide movement to promote rainwater harvesting and local groundwater solutions. The Ministry has also demonstrated the impact of participatory groundwater management through Atal Bhujal Yojana, implemented across 80 water-stressed districts in seven States, involving construction of recharge structures and promotion of micro-irrigation through convergence funding.

To reduce excessive dependence on groundwater, the Ministry is further promoting conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater, with major and medium surface-water irrigation projects being implemented under the PMKSY-AIBP scheme. Complementing this, the Per Drop More Crop scheme, implemented since 2015–16 by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, aims to increase water-use efficiency through micro-irrigation and improved on-farm management.

Mission Amrit Sarovar has also contributed significantly to groundwater recharge, with nearly 69,000 water bodies constructed or rejuvenated across districts. Meanwhile, CGWB has completed the National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM), mapping the entire mappable area of about 2.5 million sq km and providing management plans to States, including recommendations for demand management and recharge structures.

The information was provided by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.