Dynamic Groundwater Resources of India: A Comprehensive Overview

 

India's groundwater resources are critical to the country's water supply, particularly in agricultural, industrial, and domestic sectors. According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti's latest findings, the 2025 Dynamic Groundwater Resources Assessment offers valuable insights into the state of groundwater reserves and their utilization. This assessment, conducted regularly by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in collaboration with state governments, sheds light on the current status and challenges facing groundwater in India.

Groundwater Recharge and Extraction Data

As of 2025, India's total annual groundwater recharge is estimated to be 448.52 BCM (Billion Cubic Meters). Out of this, the annual extractable groundwater resources stand at 407.75 BCM. The total annual groundwater extraction for all uses is assessed at 247.22 BCM, resulting in a Stage of Groundwater Extraction (SoE) of 60.63% across the country. This percentage indicates that, on average, India is extracting approximately 60% of its renewable groundwater resources.

Categorization of Groundwater Extraction Units

The assessment divides India's groundwater extraction units into different categories based on their extraction levels. Out of the 6762 assessment units across the country, the following categories have been defined:

Over-exploited units: 730 units (10.80%) – These units show groundwater extraction that exceeds the annual replenishable recharge, indicating a high risk of depletion.

Critical units: 201 units (2.97%) – These units are in a precarious situation, with extraction rates nearing or exceeding sustainable levels.

Semi-critical units: 758 units (11.21%) – While not immediately critical, these units show concerning trends in groundwater extraction.

Safe units: 4946 units (73.14%) – The majority of the units are in the safe category, where extraction is within sustainable limits.

Saline units: 127 units (1.88%) – These units face groundwater contamination with high levels of salinity.

Groundwater Quality Monitoring

The CGWB also monitors groundwater quality across the country. The findings indicate that the water remains largely potable, though localized occurrences of contaminants, such as arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, and heavy metals, have been observed in isolated pockets. This is a cause for concern, especially in regions where natural groundwater contamination is prevalent.

The Annual Groundwater Quality Report – 2025 offers state-wise data on the presence of major pollutants in groundwater, highlighting the need for region-specific water quality management strategies.

Government Initiatives for Groundwater Management

Several government schemes and initiatives aim to address groundwater depletion and contamination, focusing on sustainable management, conservation, and artificial recharge:

Ground Water Management & Regulation Scheme (GWM&R): This central-sector initiative focuses on groundwater monitoring, mapping, and regulation.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA): A nationwide campaign aimed at large-scale construction of artificial recharge and rainwater harvesting structures. Since 2021, an expenditure of approximately ₹1.5 lakh crores has been incurred, mainly through convergence with the MGNREGS.

Atal Bhujal Yojana: A scheme targeting groundwater conservation in water-stressed districts, with over 83,000 rainwater harvesting structures constructed.

Mission Amrit Sarovar: This initiative focuses on rejuvenating water bodies across the country, with nearly 69,000 water bodies rejuvenated, enhancing both water storage and groundwater recharge.

Aquifer Mapping and Groundwater Recharge Master Plan

The National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM) studies have been implemented to map the aquifers across India. As of March 2023, the NAQUIM studies have covered 25 lakh square kilometers, providing crucial data on groundwater availability and recharge potential.

The Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater (2020) outlines the construction of 1.42 crore recharge structures, which have the potential to harness around 185 BCM of water annually, further enhancing groundwater sustainability.

State-wise Groundwater Data and Regional Challenges

The assessment provides detailed state-wise groundwater recharge, extractable resources, and extraction data, highlighting the disparities between different regions. For instance, Uttar Pradesh stands out with the highest groundwater recharge at 73.39 BCM, whereas states like Goa and Lakshadweep have very low groundwater recharge.

The post-monsoon 2024 water level analysis has shown that around 54.4% of analyzed wells in India have experienced rising groundwater levels compared to the previous five years, reflecting the positive impact of conservation efforts. However, states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan still face significant challenges in managing groundwater resources effectively.

The Path Forward: Sustainability and Stakeholder Collaboration

The sustainable management of groundwater requires collaboration between state and central governments, as well as the active involvement of local communities. Continued efforts in water conservation, recharge initiatives, and community-driven programs will be key to ensuring the long-term viability of India’s groundwater resources.

In conclusion, while India’s groundwater situation presents a mix of challenges and successes, the government’s ongoing efforts in monitoring, regulation, and conservation provide hope for ensuring that this vital resource remains available for future generations. Stakeholder collaboration and technology-driven solutions will be central to overcoming the existing challenges and maintaining groundwater sustainability in the years to come.

For more detailed reports and updates on India's groundwater resources, visit the official CGWB website https://cgwb.gov.in/

C. P. Kumar
Former Scientist 'G', National Institute of Hydrology
Roorkee - 247667, India

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