Published Paper Details:

India aims to become 'Viksit Bharat' - a developed and self-reliant nation by 2047. It envisions creating an equitable and developed society where every individual has equal opportunities and accessibility to resources. By inclusivity, it promotes empowerment of marginalized communities, including women. Whereas water, which is fundamental for living, is still under threat, making effective water governance crucial for sustainable development. To address this, the right to access clean drinking water is protected under the broad framework of the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Various government programs have been implemented to mitigate the water security challenges. Among them, the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched by the Government of India in 2019, aims to provide functional household tap water connections in every rural household. As there seems to be a gendered division of labour around water, mostly in rural settings which reinforces systemic inequities, making women remain marginalized. The mission not only focuses on the service delivery parameters, but also puts great emphasis on reducing the age-old drudgery of fetching water by women from the remotest villages of India. The initiative has urged women to participate in water governance and take active roles in managing the working of the mission at the community levels. This paper will assess the impact of this flagship programme on inclusive development, with particular emphasis on women empowerment. The study contributes in understanding how a government-led water policy has its impact on bridging gender disparities, which ultimately supports India's broader goal of becoming a developed and self-reliant nation by 2047.