A scientifically designed rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge structure demonstrates how every monsoon can become an opportunity to replenish aquifers, conserve water and strengthen India’s climate resilience. – Courtesy: PIB
- ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign transforms every monsoon into a national mission for water security, groundwater recharge and climate resilience
- From homes and villages to cities and institutions, citizens urged to harvest rainwater, revive traditional water bodies and restore nature’s lifelines
- Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari surpasses ambitious targets with over 1.5 crore groundwater recharge structures, reinforcing India’s march towards Viksit Bharat
- Community participation, scientific planning and sustainable water management emerge as the pillars of a water-secure future
NE ENVIRONMENT BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JULY 19
Every raindrop that touches Indian soil carries the promise of life, prosperity and resilience. Yet, as climate change intensifies and water stress threatens agriculture, livelihoods and urban sustainability, every drop has become more precious than ever before. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed water conservation from a government programme into a nationwide people’s movement, urging every citizen to become a guardian of India’s water future. His stirring appeal in Mann Ki Baat—”Save every single drop of rainwater”—has evolved into a powerful national mission that seeks to convert every monsoon into an opportunity to recharge aquifers, revive traditional water bodies, strengthen climate resilience and secure the nation’s future through collective action.
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s heartfelt appeal during the 135th episode of Mann Ki Baat on June 28, 2026, the Government has intensified the nationwide “Catch the Rain” campaign from July 4 to August 4, 2026, encouraging citizens across the country to conserve every drop of rainwater through mass participation and scientifically planned water conservation initiatives.
Delivering his message to the nation, the Prime Minister said: “Catch the Rain—Through this mission, we have to collectively save every drop of rainwater. My special appeal is to save every single drop of rainwater collectively.”
The renewed campaign focuses on rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, restoration of traditional water bodies, tree plantation and community-led conservation efforts, reinforcing India’s commitment to long-term water security.
Every Citizen a Water Warrior
The campaign urges every household, institution and workplace to actively participate by:
- Adopting rainwater harvesting systems.
- Constructing recharge pits and recharge shafts.
- Reviving unused borewells for groundwater recharge.
- Restoring traditional baolis, wells and water bodies.
- Desilting ponds and reservoirs to maximise monsoon water storage.
- Undertaking extensive plantation drives to improve green cover and water retention.
The emphasis is on converting every citizen into a stakeholder in safeguarding India’s water resources.
From Mission to Mass Movement
The foundation for today’s campaign was laid through Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 1.0, launched on September 6, 2024 from Surat, Gujarat, in the presence of the Prime Minister through virtual mode.
Driven by the principles of Community, CSR and Cost (3Cs), the initiative brought together communities, corporate social responsibility partners, government departments and local institutions to build affordable groundwater recharge structures and revive traditional water systems.
The results were remarkable.
Against the target of constructing 10 lakh groundwater recharge structures, the initiative reported more than 27 lakh artificial recharge structures across the country.
Scaling New Heights
Building on this unprecedented success, JSJB 2.0, launched on June 1, 2025, focused on over-exploited and critical groundwater districts.
The campaign not only achieved but significantly surpassed its target.
Against the ambitious goal of constructing one crore groundwater recharge structures, the country reported over 1.5 crore recharge structures—exceeding the target by more than 50 per cent, with field verification currently underway.
Outstanding performers under JSJB 1.0 were honoured during the 6th National Water Awards in November 2025.
Catch the Rain 2026: Turning Every Monsoon into an Opportunity
Launched on June 1, 2026, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain (JSJB: CTR) integrates the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative with the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain, expanding the scope of rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge across the country.
The campaign promotes:
- Rainwater harvesting.
- Groundwater recharge.
- Water storage structures.
- Climate-resilient water management.
- Hyper-local, scientifically designed conservation measures.
- Community ownership of water resources.
The initiative is supported through convergence with several flagship Central and State Government schemes, including Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission–Gramin, Per Drop More Crop, Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies, CAMPA, Finance Commission Grants and various State Government programmes.
Jan Bhagidari at the Core
At the heart of the campaign lies Jan Bhagidari—the belief that water conservation cannot succeed through government efforts alone.
The campaign mobilises:
- Panchayati Raj Institutions.
- Urban Local Bodies.
- Women’s self-help groups.
- Youth organisations.
- Educational institutions.
- Civil society organisations.
- Local communities.
Together, they are creating a nationwide movement that places every citizen at the centre of India’s water security mission.
A Journey That Began in 2021
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Water Day, March 22, 2021, under the inspiring theme:
“Catch the Rain, Where It Falls, When It Falls.”
Since then, the campaign has evolved each year with new priorities:
- 2021: Rainwater harvesting and scientific planning.
- 2022: Restoration of traditional water bodies and wetland rejuvenation.
- 2023: Drinking water source sustainability in water-stressed districts.
- 2024: “Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti,” empowering women to lead water conservation initiatives.
Women’s leadership has become one of the defining strengths of the campaign, with exemplary contributions recognised through the Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman.
Knowledge Centres for Water Security
The campaign has also established Jal Shakti Kendras across districts as dedicated knowledge and facilitation centres.
These centres disseminate technical expertise on rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, scientific planning and community participation, helping local administrations implement sustainable water conservation measures.
Towards a Water-Secure Viksit Bharat
As India advances towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, initiatives such as Catch the Rain and Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari are redefining water conservation as a nationwide people’s movement rather than a standalone government programme.
By combining scientific planning, community participation, institutional convergence and sustainable resource management, the campaign is strengthening agriculture, enhancing rural livelihoods, improving climate resilience and securing precious water resources for future generations.
With climate variability increasing and water demand rising steadily, the Prime Minister’s enduring message continues to resonate across the nation: “Save every single drop of rainwater.”
That simple yet profound appeal is inspiring millions of Indians to transform every monsoon into a lasting investment in the nation’s ecological security and sustainable development.
