The annual Dynamic Ground Water Resource assessment for 2025 has been completed by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in coordination with State Governments. The total Annual Ground Water Recharge in the country is 448.52 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM) and the Annual Extractable Ground Water Resources is estimated as 407.75 BCM. The total Annual Ground Water Extraction has been assessed as 247.22 BCM, with the Stage of Ground Water Extraction (SoE) at 60.63% for the country as a whole. Assessment Units (AUs) are categorised based on SoE: ‘Safe’ (less than 70%), ‘Semi-critical’ (70-90%), ‘Critical’ (90-100%) and ‘Over Exploited’ (above 100%). This categorisation enables targeted actions, prioritising intensive supply & demand measures like recharge, rain water harvesting & micro-irrigation in Over-exploited, Critical & Semi-critical areas.
The government has taken major steps for scaling up aquifer mapping, enhancing ground Water conservation & ensuring long-term sustainability through community involvement, including NAQUIM studies across the country for aquifer mapping and ground water management plans, Jal Shakti Abhiyan and Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiatives for artificial recharge and rainwater harvesting through community involvement, Atal Bhujal Yojana implemented in 80 water stressed districts establishing a decentralised ground water governance model, and Mission Amrit Sarovar which has led to construction/rejuvenation of nearly 69,000 water bodies.
As a result of consistent efforts, the overall ground water situation in the country is showing steady improvement. Total annual ground water recharge has increased from 432 BCM to 448.52 BCM between 2017 to 2025. The percentage of safe assessment units has increased from 62.6% to 73.14% and that of over-exploited units has declined from 17.2% to 10.8% during the same period.
