Extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission and Transfer of Rural Water Supply Schemes
Jal Arpan and a community-managed piped water handbook were introduced, while the Jal Jeevan Mission period was extended up to December 2028 with higher financing and JJM 2.0 reforms.
- JJM aims to give rural households assured tap water with specified quantity and BIS 10500 quality, regularly over the long term.
- Drinking water is a State subject, so States and Union Territories plan, approve, implement, and run operations and maintenance (O&M) for water supply schemes.
- Operations and maintenance (O&M) means day-to-day running and upkeep of water systems so they keep working after commissioning.
- Jal Arpan uses Gram Sabha and local community participation to celebrate commissioning of water supply schemes and push long-term sustainability.
What happened: JJM extension, Jal Arpan, and community-managed water systems
The Ministry of Jal Shakti announced measures to extend the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, strengthen community participation through Jal Arpan, and support long-term rural water operations through a standardized handbook on community management of piped systems.
JJM extension up to December 2028 (JJM 2.0) with higher financing
UPSC can frame JJM 2.0 as a shift from building infrastructure (tap connections) toward service outcomes (continuous, potable water delivery through accountable O&M). The Rajya Sabha briefing also highlights decentralised governance choices—handover to Gram Panchayats/VWSCs, user charges, women SHGs for collection, and a state-level O&M policy—allowing students to connect policy design to implementation risks.
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