Catch the Rain: A Renewed National Call for Water Conservation

📌 Summary:

• In the 135th episode of Mann Ki Baat (28 June 2026), the Prime Minister called upon citizens to save every drop of rain and sustain the momentum of water conservation

• Responding to the call, a focused nationwide campaign ran from 4 July to 4 August 2026 to intensify rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, restoration of traditional water bodies, plantation activities and public participation

• Tasks identified for citizens: adopt rainwater harvesting in every home, society and workplace; install recharge pits and shafts and repair unused borewells for groundwater recharge; restore baolis, wells and traditional water bodies; enhance water retention by desilting ponds and reservoirs before the monsoon; maximise tree plantation in water retention areas

• Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 1.0 — launched 6 September 2024 at Surat, Gujarat, with the PM participating virtually. Guided by the 3Cs principle: Community, CSR and Cost, it mobilised community participation, institutional support, CSR contributions and convergence with existing government schemes

• JSJB 1.0 focused on low-cost groundwater recharge and water storage structures, revival of defunct borewells, and scientifically designed, locally appropriate solutions through a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach

• JSJB 1.0 results (1 April 2024 – 31 May 2025): target was at least 10 lakh groundwater recharge structures; more than 27 lakh artificial recharge structures were reported — nearly triple the target

• JSJB 2.0 — launched 1 June 2025, with special focus on accelerating groundwater recharge in Over-Exploited and Critical districts through low-cost hyper-local interventions

• JSJB 2.0 results: against a target of at least one crore recharge structures by 31 May 2026, more than 1.5 crore structures were reported — exceeding the target by over 50 percent; these are currently undergoing physical verification and field validation

• Outstanding performers under JSJB 1.0 were honoured at the 6th National Water Awards (November 2025)

• Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain (JSJB: CTR) was launched on 1 June 2026 as the current phase

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 (Environment — water conservation, groundwater depletion, sustainable resource management) and GS2 (Governance — Jan Bhagidari/people's participation model, CSR convergence, Centre-State-community coordination). Groundwater over-extraction is among India's most severe resource challenges; this is directly usable in Mains answers on water security and participatory governance.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• "Catch the Rain" campaign operates under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan umbrella, Ministry of Jal Shakti
• Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari launched 6 September 2024 at Surat, Gujarat
• JSJB guiding principle: 3Cs — Community, CSR, Cost
• JSJB 1.0 (Apr 2024–May 2025): target 10 lakh structures, achieved 27 lakh+
• JSJB 2.0 (from 1 June 2025): target 1 crore structures by 31 May 2026, achieved 1.5 crore+
• JSJB: Catch the Rain launched 1 June 2026; nationwide intensive campaign 4 July–4 August 2026
• 6th National Water Awards held November 2025
• Mann Ki Baat 135th episode aired 28 June 2026
• Baoli = traditional Indian stepwell used for water storage
• Groundwater blocks are categorised by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) as Safe, Semi-Critical, Critical and Over-Exploited based on the stage of groundwater extraction

🔑 Key Term: Over-Exploited block — an administrative assessment unit where the annual groundwater extraction exceeds 100% of the annual extractable groundwater resource, meaning withdrawal outpaces natural recharge.