Center signs agreement with ISRO and launches new water research initiatives

The Jal Shakti Ministry and space agency ISRO on Monday (June 1, 2026) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance the use of satellite technology and space applications for water management in the country.

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 in New Delhi.

Under the MoU, the Department 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.

Addressing the seminar, Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil said that water security is essential to achieve the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 and that water-related issues need to be addressed through technology, innovation, traditional knowledge and public participation.

“Water security is a critical foundation for achieving the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Solutions to water-related challenges must be driven by technology, innovation, traditional knowledge and people’s participation,” Patil said.

Practical solutions

The minister said the ministry has supported several research studies over the past decade, including 113 directly sponsored projects, which have helped develop practical solutions in the water sector.

Patil also launched the third phase of the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) campaign and announced a target of creating two million water structures between June 2026 and May 2027. He said the previous phase had crossed 1.5 million structures.

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).

Satellite application

ISRO Chairman and Department of Space Secretary 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,” Mr 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.

ANRF Director General Shivkumar Kalyanaraman said the MAHA-Water program will support multi-institutional projects involving academic institutions, laboratories, startups and industrial partners.

Published – 01 June 2026 11:00 PM IST