As of November 2024, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has significantly boosted rural tap water connections, reaching 15.30 crore households, a four-fold increase since the mission’s launch in August 2019. According to the Economic Survey 2024-25, at the time of the mission’s inception, only 3.23 crore rural households (17%) had tap water connections. By November 2024, the figure had surged to 15.30 crore, representing 79.1% of the total 19.34 crore rural households.
The government’s mission has been instrumental in improving access to safe and reliable drinking water, particularly in areas suffering from water quality issues like arsenic and fluoride contamination. As the survey highlights, over 23 lakh households in arsenic-affected areas and 11.43 lakh households in fluoride-affected areas have received clean water through the mission’s efforts.
100% Coverage Achieved in Eight States and Three Union Territories
Eight states—Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Telangana, and Mizoram—and three Union Territories—Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli & Daman Diu, and Puducherry—have achieved 100% tap water coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Additionally, the mission has also helped expand water quality laboratories, with 1,570 out of 2,160 being accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories to ensure the safety of drinking water across rural India.
ODF Plus Progress Under Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen
The survey also highlighted the Swachh Bharat Mission–Grameen’s success in enhancing rural sanitation. From April to November 2024, 1.92 lakh villages were declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus under the model category, increasing the total to 3.64 lakh ODF Plus villages. This initiative ensures villages sustain their ODF status while focusing on solid and liquid waste management, visual cleanliness, and raising awareness about sanitation.
The Jal Jeevan Mission continues to drive progress in ensuring reliable access to safe drinking water for rural households. With a total budget allocation of ₹70,163 crore for 2024, the mission’s momentum is expected to further improve water security and health outcomes across India’s rural population. The ongoing success of ODF Plus villages under the Swachh Bharat Mission further complements the government’s broader push for rural development and well-being.
