Groundwater depletion has reached alarming levels in several Indian states, particularly those with an agriculture-dependent economy. Some regions are extracting more than three times their annual groundwater recharge, posing a severe threat to water sustainability.

Groundwater Extraction in India: A Growing Concern

According to the National Compilation on Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India 2024, published by the Central Ground Water Board, the country’s total annual groundwater recharge was 446.90 billion cubic meters (BCM). However, after accounting for natural discharge, the annual extractable groundwater resource stood at 406.19 BCM.

Despite this, 245.64 BCM of groundwater was extracted in 2024, with the national groundwater extraction rate reaching 60.47%.

Agriculture: The Largest Consumer of Groundwater

The agriculture sector is the primary consumer of India’s groundwater, accounting for 87% of total annual extraction (213.29 BCM). Domestic use comprises 11% (28.07 BCM), while industrial use accounts for 2% (4.28 BCM).

States with Alarming Groundwater Depletion

Several states and Union Territories (UTs) recorded groundwater extraction rates exceeding 100%, indicating overexploitation. These include:

• Punjab
• Haryana
• Rajasthan
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
• Delhi

States with extraction levels between 70% and 90% include Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Puducherry, and Chandigarh.

Districts with the Highest Groundwater Depletion

Out of 6,746 assessment units across India, 751 units (11.13%) have been classified as overexploited, meaning groundwater usage surpasses annual replenishment.

Among the 715 districts assessed, 102 districts reported groundwater extraction above 100%, with 64 districts concentrated in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

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State-Wise Groundwater Depletion Analysis

Punjab: The Most Overexploited State

Punjab, despite having three perennial rivers (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi) and one non-perennial river (Ghaggar), faces severe groundwater overuse.

• Total annual groundwater recharge: 19.19 BCM
• Annual extractable groundwater resource: 17.63 BCM
• Annual groundwater extraction: 27.66 BCM
• Groundwater extraction rate: 156.87%
• Top overexploited district: Sangrur (313.24%)

A staggering 115 out of 153 assessment units (75.16%) in Punjab have been classified as overexploited, with the majority of water used for irrigation (26.24 BCM).

Haryana: Critical Water Crisis

Haryana also reports severe groundwater stress, with agriculture as the primary water consumer.

• Total annual groundwater recharge: 10.32 BCM
• Annual extractable groundwater resource: 9.36 BCM
• Annual groundwater extraction: 12.72 BCM
• Groundwater extraction rate: 135.96%
• Top overexploited district: Kurukshetra (228.42%)

Around 61.54% (88 out of 143 assessment units) in Haryana are overexploited, largely due to excessive water withdrawal for irrigation (11.47 BCM).

Rajasthan: The Worst-Hit State in Western India

With an arid climate and limited water recharge, Rajasthan faces one of the highest groundwater extraction rates.

• Total annual groundwater recharge: 12.58 BCM
• Annual extractable groundwater resource: 11.37 BCM
• Annual groundwater extraction: 17.05 BCM
• Groundwater extraction rate: 149.86%
• Top overexploited district: Jaisalmer (228.42%)

Around 214 out of 302 assessment units (70.86%) in Rajasthan are classified as overexploited, primarily due to irrigation demands (14.51 BCM).

Tamil Nadu: Rising Groundwater Concerns

In Tamil Nadu, nine districts reported groundwater extraction levels above 100%, including:

• Chennai (124.89%)
• Dindigul (110.85%)
• Salem (146.74%)
• Tirupathur (139.22%)

While Tamil Nadu’s overall groundwater extraction rate was 74.26%, the annual groundwater extraction stood at 14.45 BCM, with 13.51 BCM used for irrigation.

Other States with Overexploited Districts

Several other states recorded overexploited districts, including:

• Madhya Pradesh (Indore, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Ratlam, Shajapur, Ujjain)
• Uttar Pradesh (Agra, Firozabad, Ghaziabad, Shamli, GB Nagar)
• Karnataka (Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban, Chikkaballapura, Chitradurga, Kolara)
• Gujarat (Banaskantha, Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Patan)
• Delhi (New Delhi, North, North East, Shahdara, South)
• Hyderabad (Telangana)

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Why is Groundwater Being Overexploited?

The National Compilation on Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India 2024 attributes overexploitation to several region-specific factors:

1. Northwestern States (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh)
   • Abundant groundwater resources, but over-extraction for irrigation has led to critical depletion.
2. Western India (Rajasthan, Gujarat)
   • Arid climate results in low groundwater recharge, making water scarce and overexploited.
3. Southern India (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana)
   • Hard rock terrains limit water storage capacity, leading to rapid depletion.

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The Way Forward

To combat groundwater overexploitation, experts recommend:

• Sustainable irrigation practices (drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting).
• Government regulations on groundwater extraction.
• Artificial recharge of aquifers to restore groundwater levels.
• Public awareness campaigns to promote water conservation.

With groundwater forming the backbone of India’s agriculture and drinking water supply, urgent intervention is required to prevent further depletion and ensure long-term water security.