President of India Presents Sixth National Water Awards
On November 18, 2025, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, presented the Sixth National Water Awards and Jal Sanchay-Jan Bhagidari Awards at a special ceremony in New Delhi. The event recognized outstanding efforts in water conservation, efficient water use, and community-driven initiatives that address India’s growing water challenges.
In her address, President Murmu reflected on India’s deep-rooted cultural reverence for water. She highlighted how water sources like rivers and lakes are not only vital for survival but are also considered sacred. Referencing Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s national song, where the first word is “Sujalam” (abundantly watered), she emphasized how water has always held a place of high priority in Indian society.
The President cautioned that India’s water resources are under pressure due to its large population and limited availability. She stressed that per capita water availability is a pressing challenge, especially with climate change disrupting natural water cycles. In this context, she called for coordinated action from the government and citizens to ensure sustainable water use and security for future generations.
One of the major milestones highlighted during the ceremony was the construction of over 35 lakh groundwater recharge structures under the Jal Sanchay-Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative, which was launched just a year ago. These structures are a crucial part of artificial groundwater recharge, aimed at reversing groundwater depletion through community participation.
Additionally, the President praised efforts by industries that have implemented circular water economy systems. Many have successfully adopted water recirculation and even achieved zero liquid discharge, showing how technology and commitment can lead to effective water resource management.
President Murmu underlined that water conservation must be a shared responsibility, involving,
She encouraged farmers and entrepreneurs to use innovative, water-efficient methods in agriculture and industry. Equally, she emphasized the role of everyday citizens who, through conscious use of water, can contribute to the nation’s water security.
A key part of the President’s message was about the need to respect water as a valuable and limited asset. She lauded the tribal communities’ respectful approach towards natural resources and urged all Indians to adopt similar attitudes. Making efficient water use an integral part of daily life, she said, is critical to long-term sustainability.
Spreading water awareness across the nation’s public consciousness, she noted, is essential. True change will come not only through policies but through the “power of the people” in harvesting, conserving, and using water responsibly.
The National Water Awards are aimed at,
The Jal Sanchay-Jan Bhagidari Awards focus on,
| Rank | Winner | State |
| 1 | Maharashtra | Maharashtra |
| 2 | Gujarat | Gujarat |
| 3 | Haryana | Haryana |
| Zone | District | State | Rank |
| East Zone | Rajnandgaon | Chhattisgarh | 1st |
| West Zone | Khargone | Madhya Pradesh | 1st |
| South Zone | Tirunelveli | Tamil nadu | 1st |
| North Zone | Mirzapur | Uttar Pradesh | 1st |
| North East Zone | Sepahijala | Tripura | 1st |
| Rank | Urban Local Body | State |
| 1st | Navi Mumbai | Maharashtra |
| 2nd | Bhavanagar | Gujarat |
| 3rd (Joint) | Nabadiganta Industrial Township | West Bengal |
| 3rd (Joint) | Agra | Uttar Pradesh |
| Rank | Institution | State |
| 1st (Joint) | Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar | Gujarat |
| 1st (Joint) | ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute | Goa |
| 2nd (Joint) | Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani | Rajsthan |
| 2nd (Joint) | Islamic University of Science & Technology, Awantipora | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Special Mention | Assam Rifles | Manipur |
| Rank | Institution | State |
| 1st (Joint) | Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar | Haryana |
| 1st (Joint) | Regional Chief Conservator of Forests, Berhampur Circle | Odisha |
| Rank | Association | State |
| 1st | Vettaikaranpudur Canal Odayakulam Village WUA, Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu |
| 2nd | Kanifnath WUA, Nashik | Maharashtra |
| 3rd | Kharlan WUA, Sri Ganganagar | Rajasthan |
| Rank | Organizations | State |
| 1st | Banaskantha District Co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd. | Gujarat |
| 2nd | Ambuja Foundation | Rajasthan |
| 3rd | Art of Living | Karnataka |
| Rank | Village Panchayat | District/State |
| 1st (Joint) | Dubbiganipalli | Annamayya, Andhra Pradesh |
| 1st (Joint) | Payam | Kannur, Kerala |
| 2nd (Joint) | Kaweshwar | Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh |
| 2nd (Joint) | Murugummi | Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh |
| 3rd (Joint) | Balapuram | Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu |
| 3rd (Joint) | Dumarpani | Kanker, Chhattisgarh |
| Rank | Institution | State |
| 1st (Joint) | Krishna Public School, Raipur | Chhattisgarh |
| 1st (Joint) | Army Public School, Kolkata | West Bengal |
| 2nd BHSS, | Zainakote, Srinagar | Jammu & Kashmir |
| 3rd (Joint) | Malusanta Govt. Nodal Higher Secondary School, Damanjodi, Koraput | Odisha |
| 3rd (Joint) | Jharkhand Balika Aawasiya Vidyalaya (JBAV), Rahe, Ranchi | Jharkhand |
| Special Mention | Mount Abu Public School, Rohini | Delhi |
| Special Mention | Maharaja Agarsain Public School, Ashok Vihar | Delhi |
| Special Mention | Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Model School, Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala |
| Rank | Industry | State |
| 1st | Apollo Tyres Ltd., Kanchipuram | Tamil Nadu |
| 2nd | Hero MotoCorp Ltd., Gurugram | Haryana |
| 3rd | Jhajjar Power Ltd., Jhajjar | Haryana |
| Zone | Name/State | Rank |
| East Zone | Shri Kishore Jaiswal/Bihar | 1st |
| West Zone | Shri Bajrang Lal Jaithu/Rajasthan | 1st |
| North Zone | Shri Mohan Chandra Kandpal/Uttarakhand | 1st |
| South Zone | Shri Podili Rajasekhara Raju/Andhra Pradesh | 1st |
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