Why in the news
The latest assessment finds a small gain in recharge, yet over a quarter of assessed areas remain under stress.
Key findings
| Year | Recharge (BCM) |
|---|
| 2023 | 449.08 |
| 2024 | 446.9 |
| 2025 | 448.52 |
- Units assessed: 6,762 (blocks, mandals, talukas).
- Over-exploited: 730 units.
- Semi-critical, critical and over-exploited units combined exceed 25%.
State picture
| Category | States |
|---|
| Recharge fell sharply | Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, Kerala, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir |
| Hotspots | Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, western UP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh |
| Recharge rose sharply | Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh |
Causes and recovery
- Stress stems from indiscriminate withdrawal, irregular rainfall and irrigation dependence.
- A better 2025 monsoon eased pumping for farming.
- Rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge and conservation drives helped.
Exam angle
- Publisher: Central Ground Water Board; unit: BCM.