Key Takeaways Initiatives like Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, etc. have strengthened India’s water security. The 6th National Water Awards honored 46 winners across 10 categories for inspiring innovation and community-driven water conservation. First Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Awards, 2025 also conferred along with NWA for outstanding community-driven water conservation initiatives nationwide.

 

 When Conservation Becomes a Collective Mission

Water has always been central to India’s heritage, prosperity, and progress. In charting a sustainable and resilient future, the nation recognizes that valuing and revitalizing its water resources is more crucial than ever. Guided by this vision, India has embraced a collective endeavour, uniting citizens, communities, and institutions in a shared commitment to wise and innovative water use. Recognizing the need to celebrate and encourage exemplary work in water management, the National Water Awards were introduced in 2018.

The awards were conceived as a platform to honour individuals, organisations, and states that demonstrate innovation, leadership, and dedication in the field of water conservation. This initiative highlights the urgent need for responsible water usage and promotes community participation in protecting and rejuvenating water resources. Through outreach, education, and on-ground activities, the campaign seeks to inspire behavioural change among individuals, households, and institutional level.

 The Vision that Powers the National Water Awards

The National Water Awards (NWA) shine a spotlight on the exceptional contributions of individuals and organisations that help in bringing the nation closer to the vision of a ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’, a water-secure and water-enriched India. More than a recognition ceremony, the awards reflect the government’s commitment to celebrating innovation, dedication, and community-driven action in water conservation.

Designed as a catalyst for change, the awards aim to heighten public awareness about the critical value of water and inspire wider adoption of sustainable and efficient water-use practices. The annual event serves as a unique platform where diverse stakeholders come together with a shared mission. It reinforces the idea that water conservation is not a solitary effort, but a collective enterprise. The gathering helps cultivate strong partnerships, encourages cross-learning, and deepens public participation in managing and preserving water resources.

The 6th National Water Awards for the year 2024 were officially launched on 23rd October 2024. The initiative drew an impressive 751 applications, from which 46 winners, including joint awardees, have been chosen across 10 different categories with the awards being conferred on 18^th November, 2025. Maharashtra secured the first rank under the Best State category, followed by Gujarat in second place and Haryana in third.

To view the full list of Award Winners, please see the link below:

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2188704

 

Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Awards The Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Awards, launched in 2024 under Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign, honor outstanding community-driven water conservation efforts. Recognizing 100 contributors across sectors, the initiative promotes scalable models for groundwater recharge and long-term water security. Under the JSJB campaign, 35 lakh groundwater recharge structures have been constructed, significantly scaling up participation by citizens, partners, and local bodies. JSJB promotes community participation in water conservation through rainwater harvesting and recharge structures, far exceeding its original targets. This year, 100 awards recognized contributions from states, districts, municipal bodies, NGOs, industries, philanthropists, and officials.   Best Performing State/Union Territory   Rank 1   TELANGANA   Rank 2   CHATTISGARH   Rank 3   RAJASTHAN   To view the full list of Award Winners, please see the link below: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2188706

SIO

 Shaping India’s Water Secure Future

India is advancing a wide range of transformative initiatives to secure its water future, strengthen resilience, and ensure sustainable access for communities nationwide.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain: The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) is a nationwide water-conservation initiative launched in 2021 by the Prime Minister with the slogan “Catch the Rain, Where it Falls, When it Falls.” The campaign emphasizes rainwater harvesting and sustainable water management through activities such as de-silting water bodies, afforestation, and constructing check dams and water-harvesting pits.

Atal Bhujal Yojana: Launched in 2019, it is a community-led, participatory ground-water management scheme operating in 8,203 water-stressed Gram Panchayats across 7 states. Under this scheme, Around 81,000 supply-side structures have been constructed or renovated for water conservation and groundwater recharge with around 9 lakh hectares brought under efficient water-use practices.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: This is a scheme aimed at improving water-use efficiency in agriculture to ensure reliable irrigation and boost crop productivity. With the vision of “Har Khet Ko Pani” and “More Crop Per Drop,” it seeks to expand irrigation coverage, promote micro-irrigation, and ensure integrated management of water sources, distribution, and use.

AMRUT 2.0: Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) is an  initiative aimed to make cities self-reliant and water-secure by providing universal tap-water coverage in all statutory towns and full sewerage, septage management in 500 AMRUT cities. A total of 3,568 water-supply projects worth ₹1,14,220.62 crore have been approved, along with 181 lakh new tap connections sanctioned under this mission.

Jal Jeevan Mission: Launched in 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide tap water to every rural household. Since then, 12.50 crore households have been provided new water connections, making it one of the fastest rural infrastructure expansions in the country. It promotes groundwater recharge, greywater management, water conservation, and rainwater harvesting.

 Conclusion

The National Water Awards embody a vision that extends far beyond recognition, as a movement for advancing thoughtful and impactful water initiatives across the country. By celebrating the efforts of states, districts, institutions, industries, and individuals, these awards highlight the diverse ways in which water conservation and management can be integrated into everyday life and governance. More importantly, they nurture a culture of awareness where water is valued not just as a resource but as a shared heritage essential to national progress. The initiatives recognized through these awards demonstrate how collective commitment can transform challenges into opportunities. As the nation honors its champions of conservation, the awards inspire countless others to join the journey, ensuring that the story of India’s development is inseparably linked with the story of its water security. It proves that impactful water management is not just possible, but already underway.

 References New Track

Ministry of Jal Shakti

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2188704

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2188706

https://www.mygov.in/campaigns/national-water-awards/

https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/nwa

https://jsactr.mowr.gov.in/Website/index.aspx

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2147817

https://cgwb.gov.in/en/pmksy-hkkp-ground-water#:~:text=Pradhan%20Mantri%20Krishi%20Sinchayee%20Yojana,2019

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2182568

https://ejalshakti.gov.in/jjmreport/JJMIndia.aspx

Press Information Bureau

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?id=154737&NoteId=154737&ModuleId=3

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