Reform?linked Memoranda of Understanding under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 were signed with Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Tripura following cabinet approval on 10 March 2026. The agreements mandate a Gram Panchayat?led, service?based and community?centred model of rural water governance to ensure sustainable operation and maintenance. The MoUs emphasise accountable systems and enhanced community participation to advance long?term water security.

Signing ceremonies were conducted during separate scheduled meetings with Union Minister of Jal Shakti C. R. Patil and Minister of State V. Somanna in attendance, while the three chief ministers joined virtually. The MoUs were exchanged by Smt. Swati Meena Naik, Joint Secretary (Water), Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation and respective state secretaries. Senior DDWS officials including the Secretary and the National Mission Director were present to oversee implementation arrangements.

The agreements seek to secure regular, adequate and prescribed quality drinking water for every rural household through strengthened Jan Bhagidari and structural reforms for operation and maintenance. The text requires creation of Sujal Gaon identification, establishment of district technical units and routine district?level water and sanitation meetings with documented reporting on the JJM Dashboard. Uttarakhand was noted to have achieved 98 per cent coverage, providing tap water connections to 1.42 million (mn) out of 1.448 million (mn) rural households.

Karnataka was recorded at 87 per cent progress under the mission and noted for early adoption of a comprehensive operations and maintenance policy and village water and sanitation committees with gender?balanced membership. Tripura was noted at 86 per cent coverage, up from three per cent at the commencement of JJM in 2019, with Jal Seva Aankalan completed in 151 Gram Panchayats and district technical units constituted across all eight districts. Tripura signalled that O&M policy implementation would commence by May 2026.