By: Anousha Rafiq
In the contemporary context of persistent water scarcity, the Har Ghar Jal initiative of the Government of India exemplifies the commitment to eliminating water as a privilege. The flagship program under the Jal Jeevan Mission, Har Ghar Jal, aims to provide every corner of India with a functional tap water connection. It transcends a mere program; it embodies the inclusion of the impoverished by reiterating their fundamental entitlement to clean and accessible drinking water. As we enter 2025, it is imperative to examine the current status of the mission, its accomplishments, and the progression towards.
India has implemented several drinking water initiatives, including the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) in 1972-73, the Swajaldhara Scheme in 2002, and the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) in 2009. These schemes only focused on the supply-side, resulting in just an infrastructure without guaranteed functionality or sustainability. Therefore, the formation of the Ministry of Jal Shakti became of utmost importance.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Jeevan Jal Mission on August 15, 2019, following the establishment of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The programme stands out as one of the many transformative welfare schemes of India in recent times. The Prime Minister’s long-term goal of creating a society that is more equitable, inclusive, and self-sufficient is reflected in the objective of the programme.
With over 19 crore rural households across the country, the mission has gained the momentum it needed under the Prime Minister’s leadership. The vision is not limited to infrastructure, but also includes behavioural change and women’s empowerment.
The goals of the mission have been clearly chalked out by the Government. It not only ensures Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) but also a sustainable water supply system, grey-water management, and a community-led approach to water conservation. It also aligns with UNSDG 6, which stresses access to clean water and sanitation for all. As simple as it may sound, the only purpose of the Jal Jeevan Mission is not just to provide functional tap water connections but also to engage local communities through Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) for planning, implementation, and operation. Besides that, it also ensures the regular supply of water (55 litres per capita per day) of prescribed quality to every household.
The JJM operates on the principle of “Bottom-up planning,” ensuring participation from Gram Panchayats and rural communities. It mandates the preparation of a Village Action Plan (VAP). Jal Jeevan Mission is a centrally sponsored scheme with a funding ratio of 90:10 for Himalayan and Northeastern states, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for union territories.
Once a village is declared as Har Ghar Jal, the Gram Panchayat of that village conducts a special Gram Sabha and passes a resolution with the concurrence of all the village members that all the households, schools, Anganwadi, and public institutions in their village have functional tap connection and thus declare themselves as ‘Har Ghar Jal Certified. As on 10th June 2025, 110 districts, 939 blocks, 84384 panchayats, and 164179 villages are ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified, i.e., all the households have access to a tap water connection.
Ensuring the quality of water is another important aspect of JJM. To ensure that the supplied water is of adequate quality, the program promotes regular testing of water samples at source and delivery points. There are 2,710 water testing laboratories in the country, of which 1,625 are NABL-accredited spread across states and UTs where public can test the water samples at nominal rates.
The total estimated cost for the mission is around 3.6 lakh crore. These funds are channeled through State Water and Sanitation Missions (SWSMs) and then to the District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSMs), ensuring a decentralized implementation framework.
Technical support is provided by institutions like the National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM) at the central level, while the state’s Public Health Engineering Departments (PHEDs) are primarily responsible for engineering design and execution. To maximize the output in a more effective manner, JJM leverages digital tools such as the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS), mobile-based dashboards, geo-tagging of assets, and sensor-based IOT solutions to monitor water supply and quality in real time.
To encourage women’s engagement, at least six women from each village are being trained to use Field Test Kits (FTKs) to assess water quality at the village level. According per the official data, about 25 lakh women have been trained in above 5 lakh villages. During the current FY 2025-26, more than 7.5 lakh water samples have been tested using Field Test Kits (FTKs) till date.
The formation of Pani Samitis, with 50% women members, ensures gender-sensitive water governance. In villages of Odisha and Maharashtra, local women have taken charge of water testing and managing user fees, becoming custodians of their own water resource.
Sixty-year-old Jhima Devi, a local from a tribal village in Rajasthan, proudly shares, “Earlier, there was no proper water supply. Fetching water was an exhausting task. We never imagined that our village would get water one day. Who would want to marry their daughter into a village without water?” Beyond ownership and participation, the mission has also given women a newfound identity. In many places, women have been trained as Jal Doots, ensuring localised monitoring and fairness.
As of now, significant progress has been made with more than 15 crore rural households already have accessible water connections. Various States and UTs like Goa, Haryana, Telangana, and Puducherry have declared 100% coverage under the Har Ghar Jal Yojna.
The program has also facilitated the construction of community water tanks, solar-powered pumps, and micro irrigation schemes that reduce water wastage and promote sustainability. States like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, once water-deficient, have shown remarkable progress through community mobilization and convergence with schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
While India has always grappled with water scarcity, JJM compels a shift in perspective towards envisioning an India where water scarcity is no longer a reality. What was once considered an ambitious aspiration has now materialised into a tangible reality for the country. This transformation carries far-reaching implications, like access to clean and safe drinking water, which would lead to a marked reduction in waterborne illnesses and the consequent need for medical intervention. It enables young girls to attend school regularly, unburdened by domestic responsibilities that once required their time and energy. It allows women to redirect their time and effort towards economic activities, family and personal growth. JJM is not merely a water supply initiative, it is a movement towards empowerment, equity, and the realisation of a fundamental human dignity.
The Har Ghar Jal initiative has remained steadfast in its progress despite numerous challenges. Recognising the scale and significance of JJM, the Government of India has extended the deadline to 2028, as announced by Union Finance Minister in the recent Union Budget announcement. More than a developmental programme, Har Ghar Jal represents a transformative social movement, one that transcends timelines.
Water is life, and Har Ghar Jal is India’s promise that every life counts.
Courtesy: PIB Srinagar
The writer is pursuing Masters in English and Communication Studies at Christ (Deemed to be University) NCR Campus.
