Hydro-Politics and Equity: An Assessment of India's Jal Jeevan Mission

This study critically examines the equity of India's Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) implementation through a comprehensive mixed-methods analysis conducted between 2022-2024. While the JJM has achieved remarkable coverage expansion from 17% to 78% of rural households, our research reveals significant disparities in access and quality across social and geographical lines. Through analysis of government data, GIS mapping, and field studies in 24 villages across six states, we documented persistent inequities affecting Scheduled Castes and Tribes, women's limited participation in water governance despite policy mandates, and substantial gaps between reported coverage and functional delivery. Our findings indicate that political alignments and local power structures significantly influence implementation patterns, while data transparency issues mask true equity outcomes. The study contributes to hydro-politics literature by demonstrating how large-scale infrastructure programs can reproduce existing social hierarchies even while expanding access. We recommend enhanced monitoring systems, strengthened local governance mechanisms, and targeted interventions for marginalized communities to achieve truly equitable water access.