The Ministry of Jal Shakti is responsible for policy formulation, planning, development, and regulation of the country’s water resources. It oversees water resource management, drinking water supply, sanitation, river development, groundwater regulation, and conservation to ensure sustainable and equitable use of water.

Its key functions include appraisal and monitoring of major and medium irrigation and flood control projects; groundwater assessment and regulation; support for minor irrigation and participatory irrigation management; national water planning and inter-basin transfer assessment; flood forecasting on inter-State rivers; and mediation of inter-State river water disputes. The Ministry also handles international water negotiations, including matters related to the Indus Waters Treaty, and leads initiatives for Ganga rejuvenation and pollution abatement.

The Ministry functions through the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation and the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation.