Water governance and politics in India

Water governance is critical to achieving a desirable state of sustainable water management, development and service provisioning in the Global South. However, it is a complex and multifaceted process. India is no exception, with structural deficiencies apparent in water regimes resulting from issues with dated institutional architecture impeding water sustainability transformations. This chapter refers to water governance in India as the social functions that encompass institutions, structures and processes at different levels and scales that guide the system to such a desirable state. Based on water governance literature and scholarship, this chapter discusses the relationships between water governance components to examine the state of water sustainability and challenges to expediting change in India. In this respect, it highlights the importance of legal, policy and institutional aspects of Indian water governance. The chapter then analyzes the national water policy framework and discusses the role of complexity in institutional arrangements in governing water resources by utilizing the institutional analysis and development framework. Using this analysis, the chapter highlights the necessity of implementing stronger legal, policy and institutional frameworks to expedite changes. The results emphasize the need for enhanced coordinated efforts and effective collaborations among stakeholders to develop a comprehensive and holistic water policy framework. The chapter recommends the integration of decentralized and evidence-based approaches, innovative financing, circular economy-focused policies, collaboration with private sector partners and inclusive policies to accelerate transformations towards water sustainability.