Context: Rural tap water coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has reached 81%, up from 17% in 2019, benefitting over 15.68 crore households.
About Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Tap Water Coverage:
- What it is?
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- Launched in August 2019 to provide functional household tap connections (FHTCs) to all rural households.
- Focuses on safe, adequate, and regular potable water supply to every home.
- Trends:
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- 2019: 17% coverage (3.23 crore households).
- 2025: 81% coverage (15.68 crore households).
- Uses Aadhaar-linked monitoring, geo-tagged assets, IoT-based sensors, and third-party inspections for transparency.
- Significance:
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- Public Health: Reduces waterborne diseases by ensuring safe drinking water.
- Gender Equality: Saves time for women and girls, enabling better education and livelihood opportunities.
- Rural Development: Enhances quality of life, reduces drudgery, and boosts rural productivity.
- Sustainability: Integrates with groundwater recharge measures like Atal Bhujal Yojana.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus
- GS-II (Governance, Welfare Schemes): Implementation of government programmes, Centre–State coordination.
- GS-III (Environment, Agriculture, Resources): Water resource management, groundwater sustainability, public health linkages.
- Essay & Ethics: Sustainable development, social justice, participatory governance.
