The National Water Policy, last revised in 2012, is a guiding principle for Indian states and it is expected that states take cognisance of the NWP while formulating their policies and laws. In 2019, the Ministry of Jal Shakti formed a committee to revise the NWP 2012 under Mihir Shah. Focusing on “water in agriculture,” this article recommends changes in the NWP. The adoption of an ecosystem-based approach and climate proofi ng of watersheds, promotion of water stewardship approach, the Water Governance Standard, climate-resilient agriculture, and policies that incentivise increased production of rain-fed crops have the potential to shift the “use narrative” in India’s water sector.
