The Ministry of Jal Shakti has bestowed the 5th National Water Awards for 2023 on 38 recipients across nine categories such as Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, and more. Odisha took the top spot for Best State, followed by Uttar Pradesh and joint third winners, Gujarat and Puducherry. These awards aim to highlight and encourage efforts in water conservation and management across India, fostering awareness and inspiring sustainable water practices.

Since its inception in 2018, the National Water Awards have served as a key initiative to promote water resource management in India. With 686 applications received in 2023, winners were selected after a thorough evaluation by the Central Water Commission and Central Ground Water Board. This initiative, aligned with the government’s Jal Samridh Bharat vision, encourages individuals and organisations to adopt sustainable water usage practices and strengthens community partnerships in managing water resources.

The awards programme continues to play a significant role in India’s broader efforts to address water challenges and promote sustainable solutions nationwide.