The National Water Awards are organized by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti to encourage stakeholders—including Civil Societies, Gram Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies, Water User Associations, Institutions, Corporate Sector, and Individuals—to adopt innovative practices for ground water augmentation. This includes rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge, water use efficiency, recycling & re-use of water, and enhancing people’s participation to ensure the sustainability of water resources through capacity building and innovative measures.
• No. of Awardees: 32
• Nomination:
– Self-nomination for Best Individual for Excellence
– Secretary/Principal Secretary of State Departments, District Collector/ District Magistrate/ Head of Body, Principal/Head of School/College, or Head of Institution/Industry/Organisation/Association for other categories
Benefits
State Level:
• Trophies and citations for the Best State (1st, 2nd, & 3rd place) and Best District in each of the five zones (Northern, Southern, Western, Eastern & North Eastern)
Individual & Institutional Level:
• Trophies, citations, and cash prizes in categories such as:
– Best Village Panchayat
– Best Urban Local Body
– Best School or College
– Best Industry
– Best Civil Society
– Best Water User Association
– Best Individual for Excellence (Cash prizes: 1st – ₹2,00,000, 2nd – ₹1,50,000, 3rd – ₹1,00,000)
– Best Institution (other than School/College) (Cash prizes: 1st – ₹2,00,000, 2nd – ₹1,50,000)
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
• State Governments
• District Administrations
• Village Panchayats
• Urban Local Bodies
• Schools, Colleges, and Institutions (other than schools/colleges)
• Industries
• Civil Society Organizations
• Water User Associations
• Individuals
Application Process
Online
Registration:
• Step 01: Visit the official website
• Step 02: Click on the Registration button
• Step 03: Choose between Individual or Organization category
– Under Individual, provide details such as Name (as per Aadhaar/ID Proof), Date of Birth, Nominator/Applicant Type, Mobile No., Email ID, and Aadhaar Number
– Under Organization, provide details like Type of Organization, Name of Authorized Person, Date of Birth, a brief Description of the organization (100 words), Designation, Mobile No., Email ID, and Aadhaar Number
• Step 04: Submit the registration
Apply:
• Step 01: Log in on the official website
• Step 02: Click on the login button and use your credentials
• Step 03: From the list of awards, select the scheme and click “Nominate / Apply Now”
• Step 04: Fill in all mandatory fields in the online application form
• Step 05: Click “Submit”
Documents Required
• PowerPoint Presentation (approximately 6 slides detailing the work carried out, submitted in soft copy)
• Supporting newspaper coverage and photographs (if any)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the National Water Awards?
A: They recognize innovative practices in ground water augmentation, rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge, and water conservation, and promote capacity building among stakeholders.
Q: Who organizes the National Water Awards?
A: The awards are organized by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Q: What types of achievements do the awards recognize?
A: They recognize achievements in enhancing water use efficiency, recycling & re-use of water, and sustainable water resource development.
Q: Who is eligible to participate?
A: State Governments, District Administrations, Village Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies, Schools, Colleges, Institutions, Industries, Civil Society Organizations, Water User Associations, and Individuals.
Q: Is there a fee to participate?
A: There is no application fee mentioned for the awards.
Q: How many awardees are there?
A: A total of 32 awardees are recognized.
Q: Who can nominate for the awards?
A: Nominations can be made self for Best Individual for Excellence, and by senior officials (e.g., Secretary/Principal Secretary, District Collector, Principal, Head of Institution/Industry/Organisation/Association) for other categories.