India extracted 247.22 billion cubic metres (bcm) of groundwater in 2025, with agriculture accounting for 87% of total withdrawals, according to the Central Ground Water Board’s national assessment. Although the national extraction rate declined to 60.63%, 730 of 6,762 assessment units remained over-exploited, with Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana recording extraction levels of 156.36%, 147.11% and 136.75%, respectively. The 2026 southwest monsoon delivered only 87% of the long-period average rainfall, intensifying concerns over groundwater replenishment, particularly in eastern and southern India. Water quality is another challenge, with 20.71% of groundwater samples exceeding the permissible nitrate limit in the 2024 assessment. Measures demonstrating potential include community-led water budgeting under the Atal Bhujal Yojana, where 180 of 229 blocks recorded improved groundwater levels, alongside recharge structures, micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting and wastewater reuse. The report underscores the need for integrated groundwater management combining demand reduction, scientific monitoring, pollution control and stronger regulation, with particular emphasis on agricultural efficiency and block-level water security planning.
Source: Earth5