Science

India Water Crisis Timeline 1950-2026: How the Groundwater Boom Became a Water-Security C…

India extracted about 247.22 billion cubic metres of groundwater in 2025, 87% of it for irrigation, per the CGWB Dynamic Ground Water Resources Assessment. Nat…

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THE BREAKDOWN

247 BCM Extraction, 87% to Farms: Parliament Gets the Breakdown

Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil tells Parliament that Indias 2025 groundwater extraction stage stands at 60.63%, with 281 districts extracting above the national av…

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NEW ASSESSMENT

Dynamic Ground Water Resources Assessment 2025 Released

CGWB and state governments jointly release the 2025 assessment: recharge of 448.52 BCM, extractable resource of 407.75 BCM, extraction of 247.22 BCM, national stage of e…

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URBAN STRESS

Bengalurus Pre-Monsoon Water Stress

Bengaluru receives 37.75% less rainfall than its decadal average in 2023, and the citys groundwater stage of extraction rises to 217% - every unit in Bengaluru Urban and…

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PARTICIPATORY PILOT

Atal Bhujal Yojana Launches

A community-led groundwater management pilot begins across 8,203 water-stressed Gram Panchayats in 229 blocks of 80 districts across Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya…

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CRISIS AND RESPONSE

Chennais Reservoirs Run Dry; Jal Jeevan Mission Launches

After two years of deficient monsoons, Chennais four main reservoirs drop to about 0.1% of capacity by June 2019, forcing reliance on tankers and deep borewells. Weeks l…

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THE WARNING

NITI Aayogs Composite Water Management Index

NITI Aayog releases the Composite Water Management Index; a 2019 follow-up warns 21 cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad could approach critically lo…

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THE TUBE-WELL BOOM

Private Groundwater Pumping Expands

Rural electrification and subsidised agricultural power drive rapid adoption of electric and diesel tube-wells, giving farmers on-demand water independent of monsoon tim…

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GREEN REVOLUTION

High-Yield Varieties Arrive

High-yielding wheat and rice varieties expand across northwestern India, paired with reliable irrigation. The Green Revolution ended recurring famine risk and made India…

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DAMS AND FOOD SECURITY

Post-Independence Dam and Canal Building

Newly independent India invests in large multipurpose dams and canal networks - Bhakra Nangal, the Damodar Valley projects, Hirakud - to expand irrigation and reduce dep…

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