Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, to organise “Jal Mahotsav 2026” from 8–22 March to strengthen Jan Bhagidari in rural drinking water management
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, will organise “Jal Mahotsav 2026”, a nationwide campaign from 8 March (International Women’s Day) to 22 March (World Water Day) to strengthen Jan Bhagidari and community ownership in rural drinking water service delivery under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
Jal Mahotsav is envisioned as a nationwide movement connecting policy dialogue with village-level action, bringing together Gram Panchayats, Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), Self-Help Groups, youth volunteers, development partners, academic institutions and communities to collectively advance the vision of Sujal Gram and sustainable rural drinking water governance.
Jal Mahotsav to commence on International Women’s Day
The campaign will start on 8 March 2026, coinciding with International Women’s Day, recognising the transformative role played by women in water governance under Jal Jeevan Mission.
The Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Paatil, will launch the campaign from Navsari, Gujarat, along with senior officials of the National Jal Jeevan Mission. Shri V. Somanna, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, will participate in the programme from Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, while Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, will attend the programme from Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
They will participate in the Shubharambh of Jal Mahotsav 2026, during which Jal Arpan ceremonies will take place across States and Union Territories. Jal Arpan symbolises the formal handover of rural drinking water supply schemes to Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), reinforcing community ownership and responsibility for the operation and maintenance of piped water supply systems. Senior officials of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation will participate in Jal Arpan ceremonies at different locations across the country, symbolising the formal handover of rural piped water supply schemes to Gram Panchayats for community-led operation and management.
Programmes across the country will witness participation of public representatives, senior officials, Panchayati Raj Institutions, VWSC members, Self-Help Groups, Nal Jal Mitras, women leaders and community representatives, reflecting the nationwide spirit of Jan Bhagidari in rural drinking water management.
President of India to grace National Jal Mahotsav Event on 11 March 2026
As part of Jal Mahotsav 2026, a National Mega Event will be organised on 11 March 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, in the gracious presence of the President of India.
During the event, the President will recognise distinguished grassroots leaders under the Jal Jeevan Mission for their exemplary contributions in strengthening rural drinking water governance and ensuring the sustainable management of piped water supply systems.
These recognitions aim to institutionalise excellence, encourage sustainable management practices, and highlight grassroots champions as national role models in community-led drinking water governance.
The event will also feature thematic discussions and knowledge dialogues focusing on strengthening the institutional ecosystem supporting rural drinking water services, including the Nal Jal Mitra Programme aligned with World Plumbers Day, water–nutrition–health convergence with Ministries of Women & Child Development and Health & Family Welfare, and youth engagement through the AICTE-led “Jal Seva Adhyayan” initiative.
The idea of Jal Mahotsav and activities under it:
The idea of Jal Mahotsav draws inspiration from the concept of Jal Utsav, which is firmly anchored in national leadership deliberations. During the 3rd Chief Secretaries’ Conference, the Prime Minister highlighted the need to develop a tradition of “Jal Utsav”, on the lines of “Nadi Utsav”, to promote widespread public awareness and sensitivity towards the importance of water. Jal Utsav is envisioned across three complementary levels:
- Jal Mahotsav (at National Level):Observed as a whole-of-government convergence platform bringing together relevant Ministries and Missions to promote coordinated action on water, sanitation, health, livelihoods, and sustainability, with participation from States, districts, and village institutions.
- Rajya Jal Utsav/ Nadee Utsav (at State Level): Organisation of Rajya Jal Utsav or Nadi Utsav to encourage community engagement to recognize rivers as the source of life and livelihoods.
- Lok Jal Utsav (at the village and Panchayat level):Lok Jal Utsav be organised as a community-led initiative that embeds water stewardship into local traditions, cultural practices, and daily life through community led approach
As part of this framework, Jal Mahotsav 2026 will commence at the national level on 8 March 2026 (International Women’s Day) with the observance of Jal Arpan across the country, symbolising the handing over of water supply schemes to Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees.
The Jal Mahotsav will continue through coordinated national, state and village-level activities until 22 March 2026. These initiatives seek to institutionalise community stewardship and ensure that every village not only receives tap water but also sustains it responsibly.
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