The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is India’s national apex scientific organisation responsible for groundwater management and assessment. It functions under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. This article explains the role, mandate, organisational structure, headquarters, and key activities of CGWB in a simple and exam-oriented manner. Major initiatives such as National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM), groundwater assessment, monitoring, regulation, and water conservation are discussed. The concept of an aquifer is also clearly explained for better understanding. This topic is highly relevant for UPSC, State PCS, SSC, Banking, Railways, and other competitive exams, especially in Geography, Environment, and Current Affairs sections.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
About CGWB
The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is a multi-disciplinary scientific organisation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. It is the national apex agency for groundwater exploration, assessment, monitoring, and regulation.
Mandate of CGWB
- Scientific and sustainable management of groundwater
- Exploration and assessment of groundwater resources
- Conservation, augmentation, and pollution control
- Implementation of national groundwater policies
Organisational Setup
- Headed by a Chairman with five members
- Experts include Hydrogeologists, Geophysicists, Chemists, Engineers, Hydrologists, and Hydrometeorologists
- Headquarters: Bhujal Bhawan, Faridabad, Haryana
Major Activities of CGWB
- National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM)
- Groundwater exploration and geophysical surveys
- Periodic groundwater resource assessment
- Monitoring groundwater level and quality
- Groundwater modelling, GIS, and remote sensing
- Regulation through Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)
- Water conservation and artificial recharge
- Research & development and capacity building
What is an Aquifer?
An aquifer is a porous underground layer of rock or sediment that stores and transmits groundwater. Water enters aquifers through rainfall and can be accessed via wells and springs.
