Water-related technology research landscape in India: Current status and perspectives

Abstract

While seventy-one per cent of the earth’s surface is covered with water, equitable access to safe and drinking water remains a challenge across countries. Especially developing countries, like India, have been identified as water-stressed. In India, various institutions are participating and joining hands to deliver social and technological solutions to resolve prevalent water-related challenges. This study reviews national policy frameworks and identifies the institutions participating in water-related technology research. Besides government interventions to formulate water-related policies, both private and government institutions are participating in water-related technology research. Along with this, local community initiatives and heterodox modes of innovations have introduced a means to address the issues surrounding water quality and availability. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), University Grants Commission (UGC), and Department of Science and Technology (DST) are some of the prominent institutions that have been playing a pivotal role in establishing water security through technological and ecological solutions. National Innovation Foundation (NIF) and Atal Innovation Mission have documented innovative solutions developed by individual innovators for addressing local water-related challenges.