Why in news?
The government released updated figures on the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). As of August 2025, more than four out of five rural households have access to a functional tap water connection. The mission’s achievements and remaining gaps were widely discussed.
Background
The Jal Jeevan Mission was launched on 15 August 2019 to provide every rural household in India with safe and affordable drinking water through an individual household tap connection. When the mission started, only about 17 % of rural homes had such a connection. The target year was 2024, later extended to 2028 to ensure sustainability and water quality.
Progress so far
- Coverage expansion: By August 2025 around 81 % of rural households – over 15.6 crore families – enjoy tap water at home. Many villages have achieved 100 % coverage.
- Community participation: Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees play a key role in planning, implementing and maintaining schemes. Women are encouraged to test water quality using field kits.
- Quality and sustainability: The mission stresses compliance with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS 10500) for drinking water. Training and local laboratories have been set up to monitor quality, and grey‑water management and source sustainability are integrated into projects.
Challenges
- Last‑mile delivery: Remote hamlets, hilly areas and habitations with scattered populations are yet to be covered.
- Water source issues: In many regions, over‑extraction of groundwater, contamination with fluoride, arsenic or salinity and drought threaten long‑term supply.
- Operation and maintenance: Local institutions need training and funds to keep pumps and pipelines working and to repair leakages promptly.
Way forward
To achieve universal and sustainable coverage, the mission must continue building local capacity, promote rain‑water harvesting and aquifer recharge, and ensure that water quality testing becomes routine. Greater transparency in data and stronger community ownership will help the scheme meet its goals without compromising the health of rural water sources.