Since August 2019 the Government of India and states have implemented the Jal Jeevan Mission to provide potable tap water to every rural household. At the start of the mission only 32.3 million (mn) rural households had tap connections, representing 16.7 per cent. States and union territories report that more than 125.8 mn additional rural households have been provided with connections. As on 03.03.2026 about 158.2 mn households, or 81.71 per cent of the approximately 193.6 mn rural households, are reported to have tap water at home.

The remaining 35.4 mn households are at various stages of implementation in respective states and union territories. State, district and village level status of tap connections is publicly available on the mission dashboard. Drinking water being a state subject, planning, approval, implementation and maintenance of supply schemes lie with state and union territory governments, with central government providing technical and financial assistance. Concurrent projects for storage, distribution and purification are maintained at the state level.

The department undertakes independent third party assessments of functionality using statistical sampling. The 2024 assessment found that 98.1 per cent of households in surveyed villages had tap connections and that 87 per cent of households with connections reported receiving water in the previous week. It further reported that 84 per cent receive water as per schedule, 80 per cent receive the minimum 55 LPCD and 76 per cent of household supplies were free from bacteriological contamination. Considering quantity, quality and regularity, 76 per cent of household tap connections were found to be functional.

States reported challenges such as scarce water sources, geogenic contamination, difficult terrain, scattered habitations and rising material costs. To complete ongoing works a budgetary allocation of Rs 676.7 billion (bn) has been made for fiscal year 2026-27. The government has introduced measures and strengthened monitoring. The information was provided by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.