The government has strengthened monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to curb illegal extraction of groundwater across the country, with thousands of violations identified and significant environmental compensation imposed on entities found violating regulations.
Minister of Jal Shakti C R Paatil informed in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that groundwater levels across most parts of the country remain within accessible limits, according to monitoring conducted by the Central Ground Water Board and state governments. Data from post monsoon monitoring during the last five years shows that between 85 percent and 90 percent of monitored wells recorded groundwater levels within the range of zero to ten metres below ground level, indicating relatively easy access to groundwater in most regions.
The assessment of the country’s dynamic groundwater resources has been carried out annually since 2022 by the Central Ground Water Board in coordination with state governments. Under this process, different assessment units such as blocks, tehsils, taluks and mandals are categorised as over exploited, critical, semi critical or safe depending on the stage of groundwater extraction.
Groundwater withdrawal for commercial and infrastructure purposes is regulated by the Central Ground Water Authority in nineteen states and union territories through the issuance of No Objection Certificates for extraction. In other states and union territories, regulation is undertaken by State Ground Water Authorities.
The government has identified 2,833 cases of groundwater extraction without a valid No Objection Certificate or in excess of the permitted quantity. Out of these violations, 2,370 cases relate to the industrial sector, 385 cases involve infrastructure projects and 78 cases pertain to mining activities.
State wise data indicates that the highest number of violations has been recorded in Gujarat with 955 cases, followed by Rajasthan with 567 cases, Maharashtra with 240 cases and Uttarakhand with 206 cases. Odisha recorded 186 cases, Assam 159 cases and Bihar 74 cases. Other states where violations were identified include Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In Gujarat, the majority of violations were reported from the industrial sector with 915 cases, along with 35 infrastructure related cases and five cases related to mining activities. Rajasthan reported 403 industrial cases, 152 infrastructure cases and twelve mining related cases. Maharashtra recorded 185 industrial cases, 48 infrastructure cases and seven mining cases.
In Uttarakhand, 179 industrial violations and 27 infrastructure related violations were recorded. Odisha reported 102 industrial cases, 68 infrastructure cases and sixteen mining related cases. Assam recorded 146 industrial cases and thirteen infrastructure related violations.
The government has taken enforcement action against entities involved in illegal groundwater extraction under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act of 1986 and the guidelines issued on 24 September 2020.
The principal enforcement measure involves the imposition of Environmental Compensation charges for the quantity and duration of groundwater extraction carried out without authorisation. The Central Ground Water Authority also monitors compliance with the conditions specified in the No Objection Certificates and directs corrective measures where violations are identified.
As of 15 February 2026, a total environmental compensation amounting to 2,017.97 crore rupees and penalties of 121.06 crore rupees have been imposed on projects involved in illegal groundwater extraction or violations of regulatory conditions. These penalties were imposed across 10,049 cases handled by the Central Ground Water Authority.
The government has introduced several safeguards in the groundwater extraction guidelines issued in September 2020 to prevent over exploitation. The guidelines follow a slab based structure for groundwater extraction charges, with higher charges applicable in over exploited, critical and semi critical areas and for higher volumes of water extraction.
Industries are also required to install water flow meters and regularly submit extraction data as part of the compliance conditions for obtaining a No Objection Certificate. New industries are not permitted to extract groundwater in areas categorised as over exploited, except for micro, small and medium enterprises.
Industries extracting more than one lakh litres of groundwater per day are required to conduct water audits every two years through certified water auditors. These audits are intended to recommend measures to reduce water consumption and improve efficiency.
The government has also introduced digital monitoring systems to strengthen oversight of groundwater extraction. The Central Ground Water Authority is promoting the installation of water flow meters equipped with telemetry systems to enable real time monitoring of groundwater use.
To improve transparency and streamline regulatory processes, the Bhu Neer digital portal has been launched to automate the application process for obtaining No Objection Certificates for groundwater extraction. The portal aims to improve coordination between regulatory agencies while making the approval process more transparent and efficient.
The government stated that groundwater regulation is an evolving process and that policies are periodically updated based on field experience, hydrogeological assessments and feedback from stakeholders including industry associations.
