The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti launched MAHA on Water (Mission for Advancement in High‑Impact Areas for Water) on 2 June 2026 with a projected outlay of ₹200 crore over five years to create a national platform for engineering solutions, technology translation and grassroots innovations in the water sector.
Core features and funding
- Budget: ₹200 crore over five years; selected multidisciplinary consortia eligible for grants up to ₹20 crore.
- Consortia model: Multi‑stakeholder consortia integrating academia, national laboratories, MSMEs, industry and startups.
- Lifecycle funding: Support spans fundamental research, prototype development, field validation, tech transfer and commercial deployment.
- Decentralisation: Intends to widen access to tier‑2 and tier‑3 universities and regional colleges.
Priority themes
- Water resource assessment: Advanced mapping, hydrological modelling and sustainable groundwater extraction.
- Drinking water security: Affordable, scalable filtration and treatment for community supply.
- Water quality & ecological health: Pollution monitoring, real‑time toxin detection and river/reservoir restoration.
- Use efficiency & circular economy: Wastewater recycling, greywater reuse and industrial/agricultural efficiency.
- Climate resilience: Technology for flood/drought mitigation and climate‑adapted hydraulic structures.
Convergence & digital interfaces
- ISRO collaboration: MoU for 24 priority studies using satellite remote sensing, floodplain inundation mapping and reservoir monitoring.
- BHARAT‑WIN portal: Open call for startups and MSMEs to pitch water‑tech prototypes and sensors.
- JSJB:CTR portal/app: Public interface to register and track decentralised rainwater harvesting structures.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- ANRF Act, 2023: Establishes ANRF as the statutory apex body for national research policy and funding.
- Governance: Governing Board chaired by the Prime Minister; Executive Council chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser.
- Precursor: ANRF replaced the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).
- MAHA portfolio: Similar mission‑mode projects exist for EVs, drones, MedTech and 6G.
- Constitutional links: Water is primarily State List entry 17; inter‑state rivers and river valleys fall under Union List entry 56.