Jal Arpan observed in over 1,850 gram panchayats as Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 hands rural water systems to communities
4 October 2026
The Ministry of Jal Shakti said on 3 October 2026 that Jal Arpan was observed in more than 1,850 gram panchayats across rural India as part of the Special Gram Sabhas held on Gandhi Jayanti.
Jal Arpan is a reform under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 that formally places rural drinking water supply systems in the hands of the gram panchayat and the community.
346 Har Ghar Jal certificates were issued in regional languages; the certificate is available in 19 languages.
2,691 water supply assets were geo-tagged, including about 700 sources, under the Sujalam Bharat digital asset management initiative.
More than 15.96 crore rural households, over 82 per cent of rural households, now have a tap water connection.
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation built a dedicated Jal Arpan digital module to support gram panchayat-led management.
In plain words
Jal Jeevan Mission Jal Jeevan Mission — The Centre's programme to provide a functional household tap water connection to every rural household.
Jal Arpan Jal Arpan reform — The formal handover of a completed rural water supply scheme to the gram panchayat for operation and upkeep.