Jal Jeevan Mission: From Tap Coverage to Functional Water Security in Rural India

Why in News ?

A 2024 government-commissioned survey has revealed that although nearly 98% of rural households now have tap connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), only about three-fourths actually receive a regular, safe, and adequate water supply, exposing a gap between coverage and functionality.

Background: Jal Jeevan Mission and India’s Rural Water Challenge

India has historically struggled with rural drinking water access due to groundwater depletion, water quality issues, and institutional fragmentation. Previous schemes focused largely on infrastructure creation rather than service delivery.

Launched in 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission marked a paradigm shift by prioritising functional household tap connections (FHTCs) and regular service delivery rather than mere installation of infrastructure. It represents one of the largest public investments in water security globally and is central to achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

What is the Jal Jeevan Mission ?

The Jal Jeevan Mission is a flagship programme of the Government of India aimed at providing:

• Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to all rural households.
• 55 litres of potable water per person per day, supplied on a regular basis.
• Emphasis on:
  • Water quality
  • Source sustainability
  • Community participation
  • Village-level governance

Unlike earlier supply-driven schemes, JJM follows a service delivery approach, where success is measured by regularity, adequacy, and safety of water supply. The programme is implemented through a Centre-State partnership, with cost-sharing arrangements varying across States.

Current Status of Rural Tap Water Coverage

The Jal Jeevan Mission has expanded rural water infrastructure at an unprecedented scale:

• Rural tap water coverage increased from less than 20% in 2019 to nearly universal connectivity by 2024–25.
• States such as Goa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and several Union Territories report over 97% tap coverage.
• By early 2026, more than 2.7 lakh villages were certified as “Har Ghar Jal” villages, meaning all households and public institutions have tap connections.

However, these certifications are largely based on infrastructure availability, not on actual service delivery, and do not fully capture functionality, water quality, or reliability.

Functionality and Water Quality Concerns

The core objective of JJM is not just installing taps, but ensuring functional and safe water supply. The 2024 Functionality Assessment Survey revealed major gaps:

• Only 83% of households received water through taps at least once in the previous seven days.
• Merely 80% met the quantity norm of 55 litres per capita per day.
• Water quality tests (E. coli, faecal coliform, pH levels) showed that only 76% of households received water meeting basic safety standards.

When availability, regularity, and quality were assessed together, only around 75% of households were found to be benefiting from the scheme as intended, highlighting a significant gap between physical coverage and actual service outcomes.

Regional Variations in Performance

The survey exposed sharp inter-State disparities:

• Better-performing States (often coastal or with stronger institutions) recorded high levels of functionality and water quality.
• Lagging States such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland, and Sikkim performed poorly on availability and quantity benchmarks.
  • Bihar reported tap water flow in only about 61% of households.
  • Sikkim showed particularly low compliance with per capita supply norms.

These variations reflect differences in:

• Water source sustainability
• Groundwater availability
• Terrain and climate conditions
• Administrative capacity and local governance effectiveness

Financial and Implementation Challenges

The Jal Jeevan Mission is among the most resource-intensive welfare programmes in India:

• Since 2019, over ₹3.6 lakh crore has been spent on rural water infrastructure.
• However, recent budgets show underutilisation of allocated funds in some years, indicating implementation and absorptive capacity challenges.

The original target of achieving 100% functional coverage by 2024 has now been extended to 2028, acknowledging difficulties related to:

• Last-mile delivery
• Operation and maintenance (O&M)
• Water source sustainability

Estimates suggest that addressing remaining uncovered and non-functional households could require nearly ₹4 lakh crore in additional investment.

Institutional and Monitoring Framework

To improve performance and accountability, JJM relies on:

• Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs)
• Real-time dashboards
• Third-party functionality surveys

The 2024 assessment covered over 2.3 lakh households across certified Har Ghar Jal villages, offering a more realistic picture beyond official coverage statistics.

However, the Ministry has noted that survey results are not directly comparable with earlier assessments due to changes in methodology and scope, indicating a need for consistent and standardised monitoring frameworks.

Way Forward: From Infrastructure to Sustainable Water Services

Ensuring long-term success of the Jal Jeevan Mission requires a strategic shift from infrastructure expansion to system sustainability:

• Strengthening local operation and maintenance systems.
• Enhancing water source recharge and conservation, especially groundwater management.
• Improving water quality surveillance and laboratory infrastructure.
• Empowering Panchayats, user committees, and women’s self-help groups in water governance.
• Integrating JJM with sanitation, nutrition, public health, and climate adaptation programmes.
• Promoting climate-resilient water planning, especially in drought-prone and water-stressed regions.

Only by focusing on functionality, quality, and sustainability can tap coverage be translated into real improvements in health, productivity, and rural welfare.