World Bank Praises India's Water Management Model: Jal Jeevan Mission

India's efforts to improve drinking water access, clean rivers and strengthen water infrastructure are receiving international recognition. A senior World Bank official has praised the country's water management initiatives, describing them as a model that other developing nations could learn from.

According to the reports of PTI, Saroj Kumar Jha, Global Director for Water at the World Bank Group, highlighted India's progress during a virtual media briefing ahead of the upcoming United Nations Water Conference. He pointed to government initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, Namami Gange Programme and Swachh Bharat Mission, saying India's experience could help other countries address similar water and sanitation challenges. The recognition comes at a time when water scarcity, groundwater depletion and pollution continue to affect communities across the world.

Jal Jeevan Mission: Expanding Drinking Water Access in Rural India

One of India's major initiatives highlighted in the discussion is the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched on August 15, 2019. The programme aims to provide safe drinking water through household tap connections to every rural family. When the mission began, only around 3.23 crore rural households had tap water connections, accounting for approximately 17% of rural households. According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, around 15.69 crore rural households, or 81.02% of the total, had tap water connections as of February 10, 2026.

The government has also extended the programme until December 2028 under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, with an increased total outlay of ₹8.69 lakh crore. The revised programme places greater emphasis on ensuring regular water supply, maintaining infrastructure and improving the quality of drinking water rather than focusing only on installing household connections.

Namami Gange Programme: India's Efforts to Restore the Ganga

The World Bank also highlighted the Namami Gange Programme, launched in 2014 to reduce pollution and improve the ecological condition of the River Ganga. The initiative focuses on treating sewage, controlling industrial waste, cleaning river surfaces and restoring the river's ecosystem. The programme has supported the construction of sewage treatment plants and improvements in wastewater management across several locations.

The World Bank has also supported India's efforts to develop treatment facilities that can process wastewater for reuse, helping reduce dependence on freshwater resources. However, maintaining water quality remains a continuing challenge, particularly in areas affected by untreated sewage and industrial discharge.

Swachh Bharat Mission: Improving Sanitation Standards

Another initiative receiving attention is the Swachh Bharat Mission, launched on October 2, 2014. The programme was introduced to improve sanitation, expand toilet access and reduce open defecation across the country. It operates through two components: Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin for rural areas and Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban for cities.

Beyond toilet construction, the programme has encouraged public participation in cleanliness, waste management and sanitation practices. India's experience has also attracted attention internationally. The Swachh Bharat approach has been cited as an inspiration for sanitation-related campaigns in other developing countries.

Dam Safety and Groundwater Conservation Also Matter

India's water management efforts extend beyond drinking water and sanitation. The country has also worked on improving dam safety, strengthening irrigation systems and managing groundwater resources. Ageing dams require regular inspections, repairs and modernization to reduce the risk of structural failures and improve their ability to handle extreme weather conditions. Groundwater conservation is another major concern. Excessive extraction for agriculture, industries and household consumption has put pressure on water reserves in several parts of India.

Programmes such as the Atal Bhujal Yojana encourage communities to participate in groundwater conservation, rainwater harvesting and more responsible water use. These initiatives are particularly important for agricultural regions where farmers depend heavily on underground water sources.

Why Is the World Bank Highlighting India's Water Initiatives?

India has a complicated water management situation. Despite having extensive rivers and groundwater resources, it supports around 18% of the world's population with only approximately 4% of global freshwater resources, according to World Bank estimates. Rapid urbanization, rising demand, pollution and changing rainfall patterns have increased pressure on the country's water supply.

The World Bank's March 2026 assessment highlighted the importance of improving water infrastructure, expanding access to safe drinking water and making better use of available resources. India's experience is particularly relevant for developing nations facing similar challenges, including limited infrastructure, growing populations and financial constraints.

The World Bank official's remarks come ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from December 8 to 10. The conference will be co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal. Its main objective is to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for everyone.

World leaders, government representatives, international organizations and water experts are expected to discuss water conservation, sanitation, investment and international cooperation. The conference will provide India with an opportunity to share its experiences and discuss solutions to common water-related challenges.