According to the latest report from the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB), Delhi has made significant strides in groundwater management, achieving a recharge rate of 0.38 billion cubic metres (bcm) against an extraction of 0.32 bcm in the year 2025. This improvement reflects a notable decrease in the groundwater extraction rate to 92.1%, down from over 100% in previous years. For context, the extraction rates were 100.77% in 2023-24 and 119.6% in 2017-18, indicating a concerning trend of over-extraction.

The report highlights that out of 34 assessment units, 21 are now classified as either 'over-exploited' or 'critical', a reduction from 27 in the previous year. Additionally, the number of 'safe' groundwater units has increased from 5 to 7, which is defined as having a recharge-to-extraction ratio of 70% or higher. This positive trend is attributed to improved water management practices, including the implementation of recharge structures and efforts to curb illegal groundwater extraction.

Shashank Shekhar, an assistant professor at Delhi University, noted that this progress is not solely due to favorable monsoon conditions but also reflects a concerted effort to enhance water conservation methods across the city. The report indicates that 0.23 bcm of groundwater was extracted for residential use, while 0.08 bcm was used for irrigation, with a significant portion of recharge occurring during the monsoon season.