Water is one of the vital components of life. The rapid pace of irrigation growth, urbanization & industrialization has put enormous stress on water resources. Cumulative impact of increase in use of this precious natural resource has led to water scarcity in many regions of the country. Nevertheless, the climate change has also resulted in change in hydrologic cycle in the country. Hence, it is necessary that this scarce resource is protected by effective and efficient management on sound scientific methodology for its sustainable development. India’s current water requirement is estimated to be around 1,100 billion cubic meters per year, projected to go up to 1,447 billion cubic meters by 2050. Water as a resource is crucial to India, which is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. While India has more than 18% of the world’s population, it has only 4% of world’s renewable water resources. The first edition of the National Water Awards was introduced in the year 2018 by the Department. In the first National Water Awards, 2018, 82 winners in 14 categories were awarded. Subsequently, 2nd National Water Awards, 2019 were conferred on 98 winners in 16 categories, 3rd National Water Awards, 2020 were awarded to 57 winners under 11 categories, 4th National Water Awards, 2022 were conferred on 41 winners under 11 categories, and 5th National Water Awards, 2023 have been awarded to 38 winners in 09 categories. National water awards for 2021 were not organised due to CoVID pandemic. Details of Awards The entries for National Water Awards are invited in 9 categories which are as follows. - Best State Best District (1 Awards each in five zones; total 5 Awards) Best Village Panchayat (3 Awards) Best Urban Local Body Best School/College Best Institution (Other than School/College) / Resident Welfare Association (RWA) / Religious organisations for successful campus water usage Best Industry for industrial water conservation. Best NGO/Civil Society Best Water User Association Awards in the category of Best District and Best Village Panchayats will be given separately for North, South, East, West and North-East. A total of 29 Awards will be given under 9 categories. Apart from Best State and Best District Awards, cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh, Rs. 1.5 lakh and Rs. 1 lakh for Ist, IInd and IIIrd prize winners respectively will be given for all remaining 8 categories. How to apply Notification for receipt of applications is released on the website of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Category wise procedure for submission and forwarding eligible applications for the awards will be as follows: For Best State Awards : The Water Resources/ Irrigation/ Agriculture department of respective State/ UT Government will forward the application duly vetted by Secretary of respective department. A detailed note encompassing the work done in the water resources conservation & management sector during the last one year as per the parameters specified in the application form be enclosed with the application. The note is to include a Power Point presentation of around 6 slides covering the details of work carried out. The Power Point presentation be submitted in soft copy (online format) only along with the application. In addition to above, if any applicant desires to submit any video(s) of his/her work, the link of same may be included in the PPT. Supporting newspaper coverage and photographs, if any, may also be submitted along with the application. For Best District/ Best Village Panchayat/ Best Urban local body Awards : The District Administration/ Village Panchayat/ Urban Local Body to submit the application duly vetted by District Collector/ District Magistrate/ Head of the body. A detailed note encompassing the work done in the water resources conservation & management sector during the last one year as per the parameters specified in the application form be enclosed with the application. The note is to include a Power Point presentation of around 6 slides covering the details of work carried out. The Power Point presentation be submitted in soft copy (online format) only along with the application. In addition to above, if any applicant desires to submit any video(s) of his/her work, the link of same may be included in the PPT. Supporting newspaper coverage and photographs, if any, may also be submitted along with the application. For Best School /College : The School/College to submit the application duly vetted by the Principal of the school/college. A detailed note encompassing the work done in the water resources conservation & management sector during the last one year as per the parameters specified in the application form be enclosed with the application. The note is to include a Power Point presentation of around 6 slides covering the details of work carried out. The Power Point presentation be submitted in soft copy (online format) only along with the application. In addition to above, if any applicant desires to submit any video(s) of his/her work, the link of same may be included in the PPT. Supporting newspaper coverage and photographs, if any, may also be submitted along with the application. For Best Institution (other than School/college): The Institution to submit the application duly vetted by the head of the Institution/ Religious organization/ Resident Welfare Association (RWA)/ Higher Education Organization. A detailed note encompassing the work done in the water resources conservation & management sector during the last one year as per the parameters specified in the application form be enclosed with the application. The note is to include a Power Point presentation of around 6 slides covering the details of work carried out. The Power Point presentation be submitted in soft copy (online format) only along with the application. In addition to above, if any applicant desires to submit any video(s) of his/her work, the link of same may be included in the PPT. Supporting newspaper coverage and photographs, if any, may also be submitted along with the application. . For Best Industry : The Industrial unit to submit the application duly vetted by the Head of the Industry. A detailed note encompassing the work done in the water resources conservation & management sector during the last one year as per the parameters specified in the application form be enclosed with the application. The note is to include a Power Point presentation of around 6 slides covering the details of work carried out. The Power Point presentation be submitted in soft copy (online format) only along with the application. In addition to above, if any applicant desires to submit any video(s) of his/her work, the link of same may be included in the PPT. Supporting newspaper coverage and photographs, if any, may also be submitted along with the application. Best Civil Society: The organization to submit the application duly vetted by the Head of the organization. A detailed note encompassing the work done in the water resources conservation & management sector during the last one year as per the parameters specified in the application form be enclosed with the application. The note is to include a Power Point presentation of around 6 slides covering the details of work carried out. The Power Point presentation be submitted in soft copy (online format) only along with the application. In addition to above, if any applicant desires to submit any video(s) of his/her work, the link of same may be included in the PPT. Supporting newspaper coverage and photographs, if any, may also be submitted along with the application. Best Water User Association: The Association to submit the application duly vetted by the Head of the Association. A detailed note encompassing the work done in the water resources conservation & management sector during the last one year as per the parameters specified in the application form be enclosed with the application. The note is to include a Power Point presentation of around 6 slides covering the details of work carried out. The Power Point presentation be submitted in soft copy (online format) only along with the application. In addition to above, if any applicant desires to submit any video(s) of his/her work, the link of same may be included in the PPT. Supporting newspaper coverage and photographs, if any, may also be submitted along with the application. Irrespective of the category, all the applications are to be submitted online at https://www.awards.gov.in/. Only online applications will be considered. To access the complete guidelines and application form, click here. Awardees of National Water Awards National Water Award 2024 To access the list of winners of the third National Water Award 2024, click here. National Water Award 2023 To access the list of winners of the third National Water Award 2023, click here. National Water Award 2022 To access the list of winners of the third National Water Award 2022, click here. National Water Award 2020 To access the list of winners of the third National Water Award 2020, click here. National Water Award 2019 To access the list of winners of the second National Water Award 2019, click here. National Water Award 2018 The first National Water Award was launched by the Jal Shakti Ministry in 2018. To access the list of winners, click here. Source : Ministry of Jal Shakti.