🗞️ Why in News The Indian Express editorial examines India’s water paradox — a nation that culturally reveres water as sacred yet economically mismanages it through underpricing, inefficient use, groundwater overexploitation, and fragmented governance — and argues for reframing water as a strategic national asset.
The Paradox
India receives approximately 4,000 billion cubic metres (BCM) of precipitation annually — among the highest in the world. Yet it is classified as a water-stressed nation (per capita availability below 1,700 cubic metres/year) and is heading toward water scarcity (below 1,000 cubic metres/year) by 2050.
The Numbers
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | ~4,000 BCM |
| Utilisable water | ~1,123 BCM |
| Per capita water availability (2025) | ~1,486 cubic metres/year |
| Per capita availability (1951) | ~5,177 cubic metres/year |
| Groundwater extraction | India is the world’s largest groundwater user (~25% of global extraction) |
| Agriculture’s share of water use | ~80% |
| Water-stressed districts | Over 256 districts face critical or overexploited groundwater levels |
The Editorial’s Core Argument
1. Cultural Reverence vs Economic Mismanagement
- Rivers are worshipped (Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Kaveri) — yet the same rivers are polluted beyond safe limits
- Water is treated as a free good in agriculture — no meaningful pricing for irrigation water in most states
- Free electricity for agriculture (in states like Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu) incentivises groundwater overexploitation
- The paradox: what is considered sacred is not valued economically
2. Governance Fragmentation
- Water is a State subject (Entry 17, State List) — but river basins cross state boundaries
- Interstate water disputes (Cauvery, Krishna, Mahanadi, Sutlej-Yamuna Link) remain unresolved for decades
- Multiple ministries handle water: Jal Shakti, Agriculture, Environment, Urban Development, Power
- No single National Water Authority with binding powers
3. Agriculture — The Biggest Consumer
- Agriculture uses ~80% of India’s water but contributes only ~15% of GDP
- Water-intensive crops (rice, sugarcane) grown in water-scarce regions (Punjab rice, Maharashtra sugarcane)
- MSP regime incentivises water-intensive cropping patterns
- The editorial calls for crop diversification aligned with regional water availability
Policy Framework — What Exists
| Policy/Programme | Year | Key Provision |
|---|---|---|
| National Water Policy | 2012 (3rd revision) | Prioritises drinking water; advocates water pricing; promotes recycling |
| Jal Jeevan Mission | 2019 | Functional Household Tap Connection to every rural household |
| Atal Bhujal Yojana | 2020 | Community-led groundwater management in 7 states; World Bank-supported |
| Namami Gange | 2014 | Rs 20,000 crore for Ganga rejuvenation |
| PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana) | 2015 | “Per Drop More Crop” — micro-irrigation promotion |
| Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) | 2012 | World Bank-funded; rehabilitating 736 dams across 19 states |
The Strategic Asset Framework
The editorial proposes reframing water as strategic infrastructure — not a welfare entitlement:
- Water budgeting — every district should prepare an annual water budget (demand vs supply) before allocating for agriculture, industry, and domestic use
- Pricing reform — introduce volumetric water pricing for large farmers and industry; protect small and marginal farmers through targeted subsidies
- Circular water economy — mandate wastewater recycling for all urban local bodies; Israel recycles 87% of wastewater (India: less than 30%)
- Groundwater regulation — enforce the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) framework; require NOCs for borewells
- Crop-water mapping — align MSP incentives with regional water availability; incentivise millets, pulses, oilseeds in water-scarce regions
International Comparison — Water Management
| Country | Approach | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Israel | Drip irrigation pioneer; 87% wastewater recycling; desalination; volumetric pricing | Water-secure despite desert climate |
| Australia | Murray-Darling Basin Plan; water trading markets; cap on extraction | Reduced over-extraction by 30% |
| Singapore | NEWater (recycled water); desalination; imported water from Malaysia; strict pricing | Near self-sufficiency |
| India | Free/subsidised water; fragmented governance; no water trading | Water stress worsening |
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Per capita water availability (1,486 m³/year), India as largest groundwater user, Water as State subject (Entry 17), National Water Policy 2012, Atal Bhujal Yojana (2020), PMKSY (Per Drop More Crop), Namami Gange (Rs 20,000 crore). Mains GS1: Water scarcity and distribution; impact on agriculture and food security. Mains GS3: Water resource management; irrigation efficiency; crop diversification; circular economy; groundwater depletion.
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
India’s Water Data:
- Annual precipitation: ~4,000 BCM; utilisable: ~1,123 BCM
- Per capita availability: ~1,486 m³/year (2025); was 5,177 m³ in 1951
- India is world’s largest groundwater user (~25% of global extraction)
- Agriculture uses ~80% of India’s water
- Over 256 districts: critical/overexploited groundwater
Key Policies:
- National Water Policy: 2012 (3rd revision)
- Jal Jeevan Mission: 2019 (FHTC to every rural household)
- Atal Bhujal Yojana: 2020 (community-led groundwater management; 7 states)
- PMKSY: 2015 (Per Drop More Crop — micro-irrigation)
- Namami Gange: 2014 (Rs 20,000 crore)
- Water is a State subject: Entry 17, State List
International Comparison:
- Israel: 87% wastewater recycling; drip irrigation pioneer
- Australia: Murray-Darling Basin Plan; water trading markets
- Singapore: NEWater (recycled water) + desalination
Other Relevant Facts:
- Interstate water disputes: Cauvery, Krishna, Mahanadi, SYL Canal
- CGWA: Central Ground Water Authority (regulatory body)
- Water stress threshold: below 1,700 m³/person/year
- Water scarcity threshold: below 1,000 m³/person/year
Sources: Indian Express, India Water Portal