National Groundwater Status
Annual Groundwater Quality Report 2025 Overview: The Annual Groundwater Quality Report 2025 released by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) highlights a mixed picture of India’s groundwater health. The report notes that 71.7% of sampled groundwater meets BIS drinking water standards, while 28.3% exceeds permissible limits for one or more parameters. This indicates rising stress on aquifers due to both natural and human-driven factors.
Static GK fact: The BIS standard for nitrate in drinking water is 45 mg/L.
Widespread Nitrate Contamination
Nitrate remains the most widespread pollutant in India’s aquifers, with roughly 20% of samples exceeding WHO and BIS limits. This contamination is mainly attributed to fertilizer runoff, sewage infiltration, and animal waste. The report flags nitrate as a growing challenge in rural and peri-urban regions where unregulated agricultural practices dominate.
Uranium and Fluoride Patterns
Uranium contamination was found in 6.71% of samples pre-monsoon and 7.91% post-monsoon, crossing the safe limit of 30 ppb. Punjab recorded the highest levels, followed by Haryana and Delhi. Fluoride exceeded permissible limits in 8.05% of samples nationwide, though the contamination is largely geogenic. Rajasthan showed the highest fluoride concentration, consistent with its arid geology.
Static GK Tip: Fluoride in groundwater is commonly associated with weathering of fluoride-bearing minerals.
Salinity Threat in Arid Regions
Salinity, measured through Electrical Conductivity (EC), exceeded limits in 7.23% of tested samples. The issue is acute in Rajasthan and Delhi, where low rainfall and high evaporation intensify salinity levels. Saline groundwater reduces agricultural productivity and affects drinking water safety in semi-arid belts.
Lead and Other Trace Metals
The report identifies Delhi as having the highest lead contamination, posing risks such as cognitive impairment, high blood pressure, and kidney damage. Lead is also classified as a probable carcinogen. Other trace metal issues include arsenic in the Ganga–Brahmaputra basin and manganese contamination in states like Assam, Karnataka, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Irrigation Suitability
Despite drinking water concerns, groundwater remains largely suitable for agriculture. An impressive 94.30% of samples fall under the “excellent” irrigation suitability category. This highlights strong agricultural utility even in areas where drinking water quality requires intervention.
About the Central Ground Water Board
The CGWB, headquartered in Faridabad, Haryana, was established in 1970 by renaming the Exploratory Tubewells Organisation. It functions under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and is responsible for the assessment, exploration, monitoring, and management of India’s groundwater resources. It also performs the statutory functions of the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Static GK fact: The Ministry of Jal Shakti was formed in 2019 by merging the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Annual Groundwater Quality Report 2025 Overview:
| Topic | Detail |
| Report Year | 2025 |
| Groundwater meeting BIS norms | 71.7% |
| Samples exceeding BIS limits | 28.3% |
| Nitrate exceedance | Around 20% |
| Uranium contaminated samples | 6.71% pre-monsoon; 7.91% post-monsoon |
| Highest uranium contamination | Punjab |
| Fluoride exceedance | 8.05% |
| Highest fluoride levels | Rajasthan |
| Salinity affected samples | 7.23% |
| Lead contamination hotspot | Delhi |
| Irrigation suitability | 94.30% excellent category |
| CGWB HQ | Faridabad, Haryana |
| CGWB origin | Established in 1970 |
| Parent Ministry | Ministry of Jal Shakti |
| CGWA legal basis | Environment Protection Act, 1986 |
