The Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched the 7th National Water Awards on the Rashtriya Puraskar portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs. All applications must be submitted through the online portal (www.awards.gov.in) with a deadline of August 28, 2026. The awards recognize exemplary work in water conservation and management across five main categories with multiple sub-categories and evaluation criteria.
Eligible entities include State Governments/UTs, District Administrations/DMs/DCs, Urban Local Bodies, Dam Owning Agencies implementing projects, and Industries for CSR initiatives in the water sector. The awards program aims to sensitize the public about water importance and motivate adoption of best water usage practices in line with the government's 'Jal Samridh Bharat' vision.
The award structure includes 67 total prizes across categories: Best State has three sub-categories (Water Resource Management, Jal Sanchay Jal Bhagidari, and Jal Jeevan Mission) with three awards each (First, Second, Third). Best District has the same three sub-categories with 15 awards total (three per zone across five zones: Northern, Southern, Western, Eastern, and North Eastern). Best Urban Local Body has two sub-categories with five awards total (one from each zone). Best Implemented Project in water sector focuses on Dam Safety theme with three awards. Best Industry for CSR initiative offers three awards.
Selection processes vary by category: applications for State, District, Urban Local Body, and Implemented Project categories are received through the MHA Puraskar portal, while Jal Sanchay Jal Bhagidari and Jal Jeevan Mission sub-categories are selected from specific monitoring frameworks (JSJB monitoring framework, JJM-IMIS, JSAn data, and WQMIS). Industry CSR awards are selected from portals related to CSR of Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
The selection process involves scrutiny by a Screening Committee, evaluation by a Jury Committee constituted by the Department, followed by approval from the Minister of Jal Shakti. Award winners receive a Trophy with Citation and are conferred awards by either the President or Vice President of India during a formal ceremony. This marks the 7th edition of the National Water Awards, which were first introduced in 2018 with six previous editions successfully organized.