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Context:
The Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2025 report released by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) shows a slight improvement in India’s groundwater recharge. However, 25% of assessed units remain stressed, indicating persistent over-extraction and regional vulnerabilities.
Key Findings of the 2025 Report
Marginal Increase in Annual Recharge
- 2024: 446.9 BCM
- 2025: 448.52 BCM
- Still lower than the 2023 level of 449.08 BCM.
Assessment Coverage
- Total units assessed (blocks/mandals/talukas): 6,762.
Stress Categories (2025)
- Over-exploited units: 730 (10.8% of total).
- Combined Semi-critical + Critical + Over-exploited: Over 25% of all units.
- Indicates extraction exceeding recharge in many regions.
Regions Showing Decline in Recharge
Significant drop in groundwater recharge recorded in:
- Andhra Pradesh
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Assam
- Jharkhand
- Kerala
- Punjab
- Jammu & Kashmir
Hotspots of Over-Exploitation
States/UTs with highest concentration of over-exploited and critical units:
- Punjab
- Haryana
- Delhi
- Western Uttar Pradesh
- Rajasthan
- Gujarat
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
- Telangana
- Andhra Pradesh
Causes
- Indiscriminate groundwater withdrawal
- Climatic factors, especially irregular rainfall
- High dependence on groundwater for irrigation
States Showing Improvement in 2025
Significant increase in groundwater recharge seen in:
- Bihar
- Chhattisgarh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Karnataka
- Maharashtra
- Rajasthan
- Tamil Nadu
- Telangana
- Uttar Pradesh
Why Did Recharge Improve?
- Rainfall contributes nearly 60% of India’s total groundwater recharge.
- A better monsoon in 2025 than in 2024 boosted recharge.
- Good rains reduced groundwater pumping for agriculture.
- Central and state initiatives for rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge, and conservation have shown positive impact in many regions.