Skip to main content
Back to News & Schemes
Central Govtorganic

Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL)

Community-led groundwater management in water-stressed blocks, with incentive grants to performing Gram Panchayats.

About this scheme

Atal Bhujal Yojana is a Rs 6,000 crore central sector scheme launched in December 2019, half funded by the World Bank, covering about 8,220 water-stressed Gram Panchayats in 80 districts across Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. It shifts from supply-side to demand-side management: communities prepare Water Security Plans, monitor their own groundwater using piezometers and water level data, and adopt water-efficient cropping and micro-irrigation. Incentive funds are released to Gram Panchayats based on measurable improvement in groundwater management.

Benefits

  • Incentive grants to Gram Panchayats for measurable groundwater improvement
  • Funding for Water Security Plans and demand-side interventions
  • Support for micro-irrigation, crop diversification and water-efficient practices
  • Capacity building of community institutions and Water User Associations
  • Groundwater monitoring infrastructure such as piezometers and telemetry

Who can apply

  • Gram Panchayats in the identified water-stressed blocks of the seven participating states
  • Farmers and Water User Associations in those Gram Panchayats
  • Gram Panchayat must prepare and adopt a Water Security Plan
  • Incentive is linked to performance against agreed disbursement-linked indicators

Documents required

  • Gram Panchayat resolution adopting the Water Security Plan
  • Groundwater monitoring and water budget data
  • Aadhaar and land records for individual farmer interventions
  • Bank account details of the Gram Panchayat

How to apply

  • 1Gram Panchayat forms a water user group and undergoes orientation
  • 2Community collects groundwater level and usage data
  • 3Water Security Plan is prepared and approved by the Gram Sabha
  • 4Plan is integrated into the Gram Panchayat Development Plan
  • 5Incentive funds are released on achievement of indicators

Important dates

Scheme period
2020-21 to 2026-27 (extended)

Available in: All India

Visit the official portal