Ministry of Jal Shakti, ISRO signed the agreement; launch new water conservation initiatives, research | Today’s news
The Jal Shakti Ministry and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the use of satellite technology and space applications for water resource management in the country.
The ministry has also launched a new water research mission with financial support up to ₹20 million per project. The company also unveiled the third phase of its flagship water conservation campaign to create two million structures across the country, PTI reported.
The agreement was signed during a national workshop on research and development (R&D) in the water sector organized by the Jal Shakti Ministry at the International Center of Dr. Ambedkar.
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Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Ministry of Water Resources and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will work together in 24 key research areas, including reservoir monitoring, water spread assessment, river flow analysis, satellite water quality assessment and macroplastic distribution studies in water bodies.
Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil said that water security is essential to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and water-related issues need to be addressed through technology, innovation, traditional knowledge and public participation.
The minister said the ministry has supported 315 research studies over the past decade, including 113 directly sponsored projects, which have helped develop practical solutions in the water sector.
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How will the agreement help?
ISRO Chairman and Space Minister V Narayanan said the agreement will deepen cooperation between the two organizations and enhance the use of satellite applications for water management.
“Space technology today offers an unprecedented capacity to observe, assess, predict and manage water resources,” Narayanan said.
He said the partnership will boost work in areas such as groundwater assessment, water resource monitoring and flood forecasting, adding that collaboration between ISRO and the water resources sector dates back to 1982.
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“This will really enable deeper collaboration in an integrated way. Satellites are high in the sky and can be used for different purposes as we manage groundwater, water resources and floods,” he said.
Narayanan said that effective water management will be essential to achieve the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and assured that ISRO would continue to support the ministry.
“It’s not just a responsibility Ministry of Jal Shakti. It is the responsibility of all of us. We are there with you and will provide all the support you need,” he said.
Public participation in Jal Sanchay
Patil also launched the third phase of the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) campaign and announced a target of creating two million water conservation structures between June 2026 and May 2027.
The ministry has also launched the ‘JSJB-Catch the Rain’ portal, which will enable district administrations to document and verify water conservation structures created across the country.
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“Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain (JSJB:CTR)” is a nationwide initiative to further strengthen community-led water conservation through the participation of citizens, industry, NGOs and government agencies.
He also highlighted the role of geospatial technologies and partnerships in promoting scientific water management and resource sustainability.
Patil said the first phase of the campaign has surpassed its target of 10 million water conservation constructions to reach 27.5 million constructions, while the second phase, launched in June 2025, has crossed 1.5 million constructions against the target of one million.
(MAHA)-Water Programme, ANRF, Bharat WIN
The workshop also launched the Mission for Advancement in High Impact Areas (MAHA)-Water, a joint initiative of the Jal Shakti Ministry and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), and an open call for start-ups and SMEs under the Bharat Water Innovation Network (Bharat WIN).
ANRF Director General Shivkumar Kalyanaraman said the program is designed to accelerate research into practical solutions.
“This program is designed for impact. We don’t want technologies to remain at an early stage. We want to accelerate them toward deployment and measurable results,” he said.
The MAHA-Water program will support projects by multi-institutional consortia involving universities, laboratories, start-ups and industrial partners. The CEO said that eligible projects can receive funding up to ₹20 million crowns.
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Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh described the workshop as an example of the government’s “whole of government” and “whole of nation” approach.
“The age of silos is over. If we are to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, it is not possible unless we move forward together,” he said.
Emphasizing the growing role of science and technology in governance, the minister said the space sector had expanded rapidly after opening up to private participation.
He said India’s space economy has grown to nearly USD 9 billion and is expected to grow five to six times in the coming years.
Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary said that water security and sustainable management of water resources are among the most important challenges facing the country.
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“Research and development in the water sector is not only important, but essential. Scientific research, innovation and modern technology give us the tools to understand these challenges and create sustainable solutions for the future,” he said.
Water Resources Ministry Secretary VL Kantha Rao said the ministry had recently revised its R&D guidelines to support start-ups and small and medium enterprises.
“One of our major achievements has been opening up the R&D scheme to start-ups and SMEs. We can now fund projects up to ₹2 crore for start-ups and SMEs,” he said.
