Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2026 - Water Conservation & Rainwater Harvesting
Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a national water-conservation movement focused on rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, rejuvenation of water bodies, watershed development, afforestation and community participation. The campaign launched in 2019 has since evolved into the nationwide Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain framework.
Updated: 5 September 2026
What is Jal Shakti Abhiyan?
Jal Shakti Abhiyan was launched on 1 July 2019 as a mission-mode water conservation and water-security campaign. The original campaign concentrated on water-stressed districts and blocks during the monsoon period and relied heavily on convergence between Central Ministries, State Governments, district administrations, local institutions and citizens.
In 2021, the campaign was expanded nationwide as Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain with the message "Catch the Rain - Where it Falls, When it Falls". The broader approach promotes local rainwater harvesting and recharge measures suited to local conditions.
Five Core Water-Conservation Interventions
The five major intervention areas identified in the original campaign continue to form the foundation of water-conservation action:
| Intervention | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Water conservation and rainwater harvesting | Capture rainfall locally and reduce runoff. |
| Renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks | Restore ponds, tanks and community water assets. |
| Reuse and recharge structures | Promote recharge pits, recharge shafts, reuse and revival of recharge systems. |
| Watershed development | Improve soil-moisture conservation, runoff management and local water security. |
| Intensive afforestation | Improve ecological resilience, infiltration and watershed health. |
Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain
The Catch the Rain campaign extends water-conservation activities across the country and encourages States, districts, local bodies, institutions and citizens to create or revive rainwater-harvesting and groundwater-recharge structures before and during the monsoon.
Typical activities include rooftop rainwater harvesting, recharge pits, recharge shafts, check dams, pond and tank rejuvenation, watershed works, desilting, revival of defunct borewells and promotion of water-use efficiency.
Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari
Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) was launched in September 2024 to strengthen citizen, community and private-sector participation in water conservation. It promotes large-scale construction of low-cost artificial recharge structures and local action to replenish groundwater.
JSJB 2.0 ran from 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2026. From 1 June 2026, the initiative was integrated with Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain - 2026.
District and Block Water Conservation Planning
The original campaign placed emphasis on preparation of district and block water-conservation plans. This planning approach helps identify local water-stress conditions, available structures, recharge opportunities, water-body restoration priorities and convergence possibilities.
Efficient irrigation, suitable cropping practices, watershed treatment and scientific groundwater recharge can also be included in local plans through coordination with agriculture, rural development and other departments.
Community Participation and Jan Bhagidari
Citizen participation is central to Jal Shakti Abhiyan. The campaign has involved Gram Panchayats, Self Help Groups, schools, colleges, youth organisations, civil-society groups, industries, farmers, local bodies and other community institutions.
The objective is to make water conservation a sustained public movement rather than a one-time government construction programme.
Urban Water Conservation and Catch the Rain
The objectives of Catch the Rain are also being advanced in urban areas through convergence with programmes such as AMRUT 2.0. Urban Local Bodies are undertaking rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, water-body rejuvenation and green-space development.
Urban implementation demonstrates that Jal Shakti Abhiyan is no longer confined to the 2019 list of water-stressed rural blocks.
Current Status in 2026
The 2026 phase places special emphasis on community-led construction of low-cost recharge structures and integration of public participation with the wider Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign.
Water being a State subject, State Governments and local authorities remain primarily responsible for planning, funding and execution of water-resource conservation works, while the Central Government supplements and coordinates national campaigns and convergence initiatives.
Users looking for current district-level works, guidelines or campaign data should rely on the Ministry of Jal Shakti, National Water Mission and current PIB updates rather than the original 2019 campaign schedule.
Key Takeaways
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan began in 2019 as a mission-mode campaign in water-stressed districts.
- Since 2021, the broader national framework has operated as Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain.
- The five core intervention areas remain rainwater harvesting, water-body renovation, recharge/reuse, watershed development and afforestation.
- Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari strengthens community and private-sector participation.
- The 2026 integrated phase was launched on 1 June 2026.
- Current implementation is broader than the original 2019 district/block list.
- Local planning and community participation remain central to long-term water security.