Indian River Basins and Water Infrastructure

India’s river basin and water infrastructure framework combines basin-level planning, interlinking proposals, dam safety regulation and household water supply reforms. For Prelims, the focus is on the schemes, implementing bodies, project status and statutory institutions that shape water security.

River Basin Management Scheme

The River Basin Management (RBM) Scheme is a Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. It is proposed for continuation during the 16th Finance Commission period (2026–27 to 2030–31) with a fully funded outlay of ₹2,183 crore, up from ₹1,276 crore in the previous phase (2021–22 to 2025–26).

• Implementing organisations: Brahmaputra Board, Central Water Commission (CWC) and National Water Development Agency (NWDA).
• Priority basins: Brahmaputra, Barak, Teesta and Indus basins.
• Main objectives: National water security, cross-border water management and flood control.

River Interlinking Projects in India

River interlinking in India is coordinated under the National Perspective Plan (NPP), which envisages 30 projects. These are divided into 16 Peninsular links and 14 Himalayan links.

• National Perspective Plan: The umbrella framework for interlinking rivers across regions.
• Peninsular links: 16 proposed projects under the NPP.
• Himalayan links: 14 proposed projects under the NPP.
• Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP): The only priority link project currently under construction.
• KBLP cost: Estimated at ₹44,605 crore, including ₹39,317 crore in central government support.
• Daudhan Dam: A 96.7-metre-high dam on the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh.
• Link canal length: 216.465 km.
• Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP): A National Project that incorporates the Godavari-Krishna link.
• Execution: Carried out by the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA).

Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0

The Union Cabinet approved Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 on March 10, 2026. The mission shifts from an infrastructure-centric approach to a service delivery model. Its implementation period has been extended up to December 2028.

• Total outlay: ₹8.69 lakh crore.
• Central assistance: ₹3.59 lakh crore.
• Coverage target: Rural households with functional tap water connections.
• Progress status: As of September 4, 2026, around 15.83 crore rural households had tap water connections.
• Share of total rural households: 81.81% of 19.35 crore rural households.

Dam Safety Architecture and NDSA

India has one of the largest dam inventories in the world and a formal safety framework for specified dams. The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) was established under the Dam Safety Act, 2021 to regulate and oversee dam safety standards.

• Global position: India ranks third globally in large dams.
• Dam inventory: More than 6,628 specified dams.
• Age profile: Over 26% of these dams are more than 50 years old.
• NDSA leadership: Headed by Chairman Anil Jain.
• NRSD 2026: The National Register of Specified Dams was released in May 2026.
• DHARMA app: The Dam Health and Rehabilitation & Monitoring Application was launched in May 2026.

Important exam fact: The NDSA set December 2026 as the deadline for specified dam owners to complete three mandatory safety requirements.

• Required safety measures: Detailed risk assessment study, Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation (CDSE).

Indus Waters Treaty Dispute

The water-sharing arrangement with Pakistan is governed by the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), 1960. India placed the treaty in abeyance in April 2025 after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

• Permanent Court of Arbitration: In September 2026, the Court of Arbitration under the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague ruled that the treaty remains fully binding and in force.
• India’s stand: India rejected the ruling and all related awards, describing the tribunal as illegally constituted and null and void.
• May 2026 award: India also rejected the arbitration award on maximum pondage.

Key Prelims Takeaways

• RBM Scheme: Central Sector scheme under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, implemented by the Brahmaputra Board, CWC and NWDA.
• RBM funding: Proposed outlay of ₹2,183 crore for 2026–27 to 2030–31.
• NPP for river interlinking: Envisages 30 projects, including 16 Peninsular and 14 Himalayan links.
• Ken-Betwa Link Project: Only priority interlinking project currently under construction.
• Polavaram Project: Designated National Project incorporating the Godavari-Krishna link.
• JJM 2.0: Approved on March 10, 2026 with an outlay of ₹8.69 lakh crore and extended to December 2028.
• Dam safety: NDSA functions under the Dam Safety Act, 2021; specified dam owners must complete risk assessment, EAP and CDSE by December 2026.
• Indus Waters Treaty: Signed in 1960; the PCA ruling of September 2026 held it binding despite India’s abeyance decision.