Dynamic Groundwater Resource Assessment Report 2025

Background of the assessment

Dynamic Groundwater Resource Assessment Report 2025: The Dynamic Groundwater Resource Assessment Report 2025 was released by the Ministry of Jal Shakti on 30 December 2025.
The assessment was jointly carried out by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and State and Union Territory agencies, reflecting a cooperative federal approach to water governance.

The report provides an updated national picture of groundwater availability, usage patterns, and stress levels.
Groundwater remains India’s most critical freshwater source for drinking water, irrigation, and industrial use, making this assessment highly significant.

Static GK fact: The CGWB functions under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

Groundwater recharge and availability trends

The report shows a marginal increase in total annual groundwater recharge, which stands at 448.52 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM) in 2025.
This is a slight rise from 446.9 BCM in 2024, indicating modest improvement in recharge conditions.

Similarly, annual extractable groundwater resources increased to 407.75 BCM from 406.19 BCM in the previous year.
These figures suggest that recharge and availability are stabilising, but not improving at a pace sufficient to offset long-term demand growth.

Static GK Tip: Groundwater recharge in India is primarily driven by monsoon rainfall, canal seepage, and return flow from irrigation.

Groundwater extraction and usage pressure

The report estimates total annual groundwater extraction at 247.22 BCM for 2025.
This extraction includes all major uses such as agriculture, domestic consumption, and industry.

The Stage of Groundwater Extraction (SoE) has been calculated at 60.63% at the national level.
SoE represents the ratio of annual groundwater extraction to annual extractable groundwater resources and is a key indicator of sustainability.

Although the national SoE remains below the danger threshold, regional imbalances continue to pose serious challenges.

Status of assessment units across India

India has a total of 6746 groundwater assessment units, classified as Blocks, Mandals, or Talukas.
The categorisation reveals significant variation in groundwater stress levels.

About 73.4% of assessment units are classified as ‘Safe’, where groundwater extraction remains below 70%.
However, 10.5% are ‘Semi-critical’, with extraction levels between 70–90%.

Another 3.05% units fall under the ‘Critical’ category, where extraction ranges from 90–100%.
Most concerning is that 11.1% units are ‘Over-exploited’, meaning extraction exceeds annual replenishment.

Additionally, 1.8% of units are categorised as ‘Saline’, reflecting quality-related groundwater constraints.

Regional concentration of over-exploitation

The report highlights a clear regional concentration of over-exploited units.
The North-West region, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Western Uttar Pradesh, shows severe groundwater stress.

Western states such as Rajasthan and Gujarat also report high levels of over-extraction.
In southern India, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh face increasing groundwater pressure due to intensive irrigation and urban demand.

Static GK fact: India is the largest extractor of groundwater in the world, accounting for nearly one-fourth of global extraction.

Significance for water governance

The findings underline the need for aquifer-based management, crop diversification, and regulated groundwater use.
They also reinforce the importance of demand-side interventions alongside recharge-focused programmes.

The report serves as a critical policy input for sustainable groundwater management at both national and state levels.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

Dynamic Groundwater Resource Assessment Report 2025: