Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has launched country’s first-ever National Level Training of Master Trainers on Water Budgeting and Water Security Planning, marking the beginning of a nationwide initiative to help Gram Panchayats prepare scientific, evidence-based, and community-driven Water Security Plans for sustainable water management.
During the inaugural session, Ministry also released ‘Water Sufficient Panchayats Training Manual (Phase I & Phase II)’ to guide villages in developing participatory, climate-responsive, and technically informed water security plans.
Duration
- Four-day residential programme.
- Dates: 13–16 July 2026.
- Venue: New Delhi.
National Level Training of Master Trainers on Water Budgeting and Water Security Planning
It is a capacity-building programme designed to create a network of trained professionals who can assist Gram Panchayats in preparing comprehensive and evidence-based water management plans.
Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Build technical capacity for water budgeting at the grassroots.
- Prepare scientific and evidence-based Water Security Plans.
- Promote community participation in water resource management.
- Strengthen local governance through Panchayati Raj Institutions.
- Encourage climate-resilient water planning.
- Ensure sustainable and efficient use of water resources.
- Support long-term water security in rural areas.
Water Sufficient Panchayats Training Manual
During the inaugural session, the Ministry released:
- Water Sufficient Panchayats Training Manual – Phase I
- Water Sufficient Panchayats Training Manual – Phase II
Purpose
The manuals provide practical guidance for:
- Preparing participatory Water Security Plans.
- Conducting scientific water budgeting.
- Climate-responsive planning.
- Technically informed decision-making.
- Sustainable management of village water resources.
These manuals will serve as a standard reference for Gram Panchayats and trainers.
Master Trainers Network
The programme seeks to establish a network of Master Trainers at three administrative levels:
- State Level
- District Level
- Block Level
Role of Master Trainers
They will:
- Train local officials.
- Build the capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
- Guide Gram Panchayats in preparing Water Security Plans.
- Support implementation of water conservation initiatives at the village level.
First Phase of Implementation
The first phase will cover:
- 10 States, 100 Blocks, 100 Districts, 1,000 Gram Panchayats
States Covered
- Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
First Batch of Participants
The inaugural batch includes participants from:
- Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh
After completing the training, they will:
- Train officials at district and block levels.
- Support Gram Panchayats in preparing Water Security Plans.
- Assist implementation during the upcoming People’s Plan Campaign (PPC).
Implementation Strategy
The programme will be implemented in a phased manner, with:
- Priority given to water-stressed regions.
- Emphasis on:
- Scientific planning.
- Community participation.
- Climate resilience.
- Local capacity building.
- Sustainable water resource management.
About Water Budgeting
Water Budgeting is the process of estimating and balancing:
- Available water resources.
- Water demand.
- Water use across different sectors.
It helps communities:
- Assess water availability.
- Plan equitable allocation.
- Reduce water stress.
- Improve conservation.
- Ensure sustainable use of groundwater and surface water.
About Water Security Planning
Water Security Planning involves preparing long-term plans to ensure:
- Adequate quantity of water.
- Safe and reliable water supply.
- Sustainable management of water resources.
- Climate-resilient water infrastructure.
- Community participation in water governance.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR)
- Nodal Ministry for strengthening the Panchayati Raj system in India.
- Works to promote:
- Decentralized governance.
- Capacity building of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
- Participatory rural planning.
- Local self-governance under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.