Context:

• The Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026 approved the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) till December 2028 and its restructuring as JJM 2.0.

Key Decisions and Budget Details:

• Total Outlay: ₹8.69 lakh crore
• Central Assistance: ₹3.59 lakh crore
• Original Approved Budget (2019–20): ₹2.08 lakh crore (Central share)
• Additional Central Assistance: ₹1.51 lakh crore (increase over the original allocation)

Restructuring of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM 2.0):

• “Sujalam Bharat”:A uniform national digital framework will be developed under which each village will be assigned a unique ‘Sujal Gaon/Service Area ID’. This will ensure digital mapping of the entire water supply system from source to tap.
• Service-Centric Model:The mission has been transformed from an infrastructure-centric approach to a citizen-centric service delivery model. Its aim is to provide sustainable and safe drinking water to rural households.
• Community Ownership:Participation of Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) has been made mandatory for “Har Ghar Jal” certification through initiatives such as “Jal Arpan.”
• Current Status:From the baseline of 3.23 crore (17%) rural households with tap connections in 2019, more than 12.56 crore additional rural households have been provided tap water connections under JJM.
• At present, out of 19.36 crore identified rural households, around 15.80 crore (81.61%) households have tap water connections.

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM):

• Launch Year: 2019
• Initial Target:To provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) supplying 55 litres of drinking water per person per day to all rural households by 2024.
• Extended Target:The mission duration has now been extended to 2028 to achieve the remaining targets.
• Women’s Participation:At least 50% members in the Village Water & Sanitation Committee / Pani Samiti must be women.
• Background:The National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) was restructured and merged into Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Nodal Ministry/Department:Ministry of Jal Shakti – Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
• Type of Scheme: Centrally Sponsored Scheme

Centre–State Funding Pattern:

• Himalayan States (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) and North-Eastern States: 90:10 (Centre : State)
• Union Territories: 100% funding by the Central Government
• Other States: 50:50 (Centre : State)

Major Components:

• Tap Water Supply:The target was to provide tap water connections to 19.25 crore rural households by 2024, which has now been extended to 2028.
• Water Quality:Reducing waterborne diseases by ensuring the supply of safe drinking water.
• Sustainability of Water Sources:Promoting groundwater recharge and water conservation to ensure long-term sustainability of water sources.
• Grey Water Management:Reuse and recycling of wastewater generated from kitchens and bathrooms.
• Skill Development and Employment:Training local people to build and maintain water supply infrastructure, generating employment opportunities.
• Women Empowerment:Ensuring active participation of women in planning, monitoring, and managing water supply.
• Bottom-Up Planning:Prioritizing community participation in planning, implementation, and operation of water supply schemes.
• Focus on Future Generations:Ensuring tap water supply in schools, anganwadi centres, and tribal hostels.

Achievements:

• According to the Economic Survey 2024–25, only 3.23 crore households had tap water connections when the mission started in 2019. Now the number has increased to around 12 crore households.
• States with 100% tap water coverage:Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Telangana, and Mizoram.
• Union Territories with 100% tap water coverage:Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, and Puducherry.

Assessment of JJM’s Impact by National and International Institutions:

• According to SBI Research, JJM has freed 9 crore women from the burden of fetching water.
• According to estimates by the World Health Organization, JJM has saved 5.5 crore hours of labour daily for women, prevented 4 lakh deaths from diarrhoea, and saved 14 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).
• Michael Kremer, a Nobel Prize–winning economist, estimated a potential 30% reduction in child mortality (under five years), which could save 1,36,000 children annually.
• Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and the International Labour Organization estimate that JJM could generate 59.9 lakh direct and 2.2 crore indirect person-years of employment.
• JJM 2.0 aims to provide tap water connections to all 19.36 crore rural households by December 2028 and support all Gram Panchayats in achieving “Har Ghar Jal” certification