Jal Jeevan Scheme: High Tap Coverage, Lower Usage, Reliability
Jal Jeevan Mission achieves high tap coverage, but usage and reliability lag behind.
Key Facts
Tap coverage: 98% rural households
Water received weekly: 83% households
55 litres/person/day received: 80% households
Water quality met criteria: 76% households
Functionality as intended: 76% households
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors
GS Paper III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical questions on the effectiveness of the scheme
Visual Insights
Jal Jeevan Mission: Tap Connections vs. Functionality (2026)
Key statistics from the Jal Shakti Ministry's 2024 functionality assessment, highlighting the gap between tap connections and actual water access and quality.
- Rural Households with Tap Connections
- 98%
- Households Receiving Water at Least Once a Week
- 83%
- Households Receiving Minimum 55 lpcd
- 80%
- Water Quality Meeting Standards
- 76%
- Households Benefiting as Intended
- 76%
High coverage indicates progress in infrastructure, but usage and reliability are crucial for achieving the mission's goals. Relevant for GS Paper 2 (Governance).
Highlights the issue of water supply regularity. Lower than tap connection coverage, indicating intermittent supply. Important for GS Paper 2 (Social Justice).
Shows the proportion of households meeting the minimum water quantity requirement. A key indicator of the scheme's success. Relevant for GS Paper 2 (Governance) and GS Paper 3 (Economy).
Indicates the percentage of households receiving water that meets quality standards (e-coli, total coliform, pH levels). Critical for public health and SDG 6. Relevant for GS Paper 2 (Health) and GS Paper 3 (Environment).
Overall functionality assessment, reflecting the proportion of households truly benefiting from the scheme. Highlights the need for improved implementation and monitoring. Important for GS Paper 2 (Governance).
More Information
Background
The roots of providing safe drinking water to rural India can be traced back to various initiatives launched in the post-independence era. The Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) was launched in 1972-73 to assist states in accelerating the coverage of drinking water supply. Over the years, this program evolved into the Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission in 1986, emphasizing community participation and sustainability.
The Swajaldhara scheme in 2002 aimed to give more control to local communities in managing their water resources. These early efforts faced challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of community involvement, and issues with water quality, setting the stage for more comprehensive programs like the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Latest Developments
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on water conservation and sustainable water management practices. The Atal Bhujal Yojana, launched in 2019, focuses on improving groundwater management through community participation in water-stressed areas. The government has also been promoting rainwater harvesting and watershed development programs to augment water resources.
Furthermore, there's an increasing focus on using technology for monitoring water quality and supply, including the use of sensors and data analytics. The future outlook involves strengthening community participation, ensuring long-term sustainability of water sources, and addressing the challenges of climate change on water availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the key facts about the Jal Jeevan Scheme's tap water coverage, usage, and water quality based on the recent survey for UPSC Prelims?
As per the recent survey, key facts include: 98% of rural households have tap connections, but only 83% received water weekly. 80% received the minimum 55 litres/person/day, and 76% met water quality standards. The scheme's intended functionality reached 76% of households.
Exam Tip
Focus on the percentages related to coverage vs. actual usage and quality. These are prime targets for MCQ-based questions.
2. What is the main goal of the Har Ghar Jal (HGJ) scheme, and why is it important for rural development?
The HGJ scheme aims to provide tap water connections to all rural households, ensuring access to safe and adequate drinking water. This is crucial for improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases, and enhancing the overall quality of life in rural areas.
Exam Tip
Understand the link between water access, public health, and rural development for Mains answers.
3. According to the survey, what are the shortcomings of the Jal Jeevan Mission despite high tap water coverage?
Despite 98% tap coverage, the survey reveals lower usage (83% receiving water weekly), insufficient quantity (80% getting 55 litres/person/day), and inadequate water quality (76% meeting standards). This indicates a gap between infrastructure provision and actual benefits.
Exam Tip
Remember the specific percentages to highlight the disparity between coverage and actual impact.
4. What is the historical background of providing safe drinking water to rural India, and how has it evolved over time?
The provision of safe drinking water in rural India began with the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) in 1972-73, evolving into the Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission in 1986. These initiatives reflect a growing emphasis on water conservation and sustainable management.
Exam Tip
Note the evolution from ARWSP to the Rajiv Gandhi Mission, showcasing the increasing focus on water issues.
5. What are the pros and cons of the Jal Jeevan Mission, considering its high tap coverage but lower usage and reliability? (Interview Perspective)
Pros include increased access to tap water for many rural households. Cons include issues with consistent water supply, adequate quantity, and acceptable water quality, which limit the mission's overall effectiveness. The scheme is a good start but requires better implementation.
Exam Tip
Frame your answer to show both the potential and the challenges of the scheme. A balanced view is important.
6. How does the Jal Jeevan Mission relate to Article 47 of the Constitution of India?
Article 47 of the Constitution directs the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health. The Jal Jeevan Mission aligns with this directive by aiming to provide safe drinking water, which directly impacts public health and living standards.
Exam Tip
Remember Article 47 as a Directive Principle related to public health and link it to government schemes.
7. What are the recent developments related to water conservation and management in India, besides the Jal Jeevan Mission?
Recent developments include the Atal Bhujal Yojana (improving groundwater management) and promotion of rainwater harvesting and watershed development programs. These initiatives complement the Jal Jeevan Mission by focusing on sustainable water resource management.
Exam Tip
Be aware of the Atal Bhujal Yojana and other water conservation efforts to showcase a comprehensive understanding.
8. What reforms are needed to improve the functionality and reliability of the Jal Jeevan Mission?
Reforms should focus on ensuring consistent water supply, improving water quality monitoring, and enhancing community participation in scheme management. Addressing these issues will bridge the gap between tap connections and actual benefits.
Exam Tip
Consider suggesting measures like regular audits, community involvement, and technological solutions in your answers.
9. Why is the functionality assessment of household tap connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission in the news recently?
The functionality assessment is in the news because it reveals that while tap connections have reached 98% of rural households, the actual usage, water quantity, and water quality are lower than expected. This highlights the need for improved implementation and monitoring.
Exam Tip
Understand that the news focuses on the gap between the scheme's goals and its actual performance on the ground.
10. How does the Jal Jeevan Mission impact common citizens in rural areas?
The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to improve the lives of rural citizens by providing access to safe and reliable drinking water. However, the recent survey indicates that the intended benefits are not fully realized due to issues with water availability and quality, affecting public health and daily life.
Exam Tip
Consider both the positive potential and the current limitations when discussing the mission's impact on citizens.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): 1. JJM aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all rural households. 2. The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and States is 50:50 for all states. 3. JJM focuses solely on providing tap water connections, with no emphasis on water source sustainability. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is CORRECT: The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all rural households. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and States is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for Union Territories. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: JJM emphasizes both providing tap water connections and ensuring water source sustainability through measures like groundwater recharge and water conservation.
2. Which of the following parameters are considered in the Functionality Assessment of Household Tap Connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission? 1. Regularity of water supply 2. Quantity of water supplied 3. Quality of water supplied Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
All three parameters are considered in the Functionality Assessment of Household Tap Connections. Regularity refers to the frequency of water supply, quantity refers to the amount of water supplied per person per day (LPCD), and quality refers to the potability and safety of the water based on various tests.
3. Assertion (A): While a high percentage of rural households have tap connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the actual usage and reliability of these connections remain a concern. Reason (R): Many households do not receive the sanctioned minimum quantity of water per day, and water quality often fails to meet the required standards. In the context of the above, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true, but R is false
- D.A is false, but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The survey findings highlight that despite high tap coverage, the actual usage and reliability are compromised due to insufficient water quantity and inadequate water quality.