Frequently Asked Questions

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is a statutory body established in India under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It was formed to address the critical issue of groundwater depletion and contamination by regulating and controlling groundwater use across the country.

Functions of CGWA

The key functions of the CGWA are centered around the sustainable management and regulation of India's groundwater resources.
•    Regulation of Groundwater Extraction: A primary function is to regulate and control groundwater abstraction. The CGWA issues No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for groundwater withdrawal to various entities, including industries, infrastructure projects, and mining operations. This ensures that groundwater use is within sustainable limits and does not lead to over-exploitation.
•    Assessment and Monitoring: In collaboration with the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), the CGWA monitors groundwater levels and quality nationwide. This involves collecting and analyzing hydrogeological data to assess the status of aquifers and identify areas that are "over-exploited" or "critical."
•    Promoting Conservation: The authority actively promotes groundwater conservation by mandating and encouraging practices like rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge of aquifers, often making them a condition for granting NOCs.
•    Advising Government Bodies: The CGWA provides technical and policy advice to central and state governments on all matters related to groundwater management, including the formulation of legislative measures and regulatory frameworks.
•    Raising Awareness: It conducts awareness campaigns and workshops to educate the public, industries, and other stakeholders about the importance of groundwater conservation and sustainable water use.

Powers of CGWA

The CGWA is vested with significant powers to effectively carry out its functions and enforce compliance.
•    Legal Authority: The CGWA is empowered to exercise the powers conferred upon it by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. This includes the authority to issue directions and take measures to prevent and control groundwater pollution and over-extraction.
•    Enforcement and Penalties: It can enforce the penal provisions of the Act, which means it can impose fines and initiate legal action against individuals or organizations found violating groundwater regulations. This includes the power to seal illegal bore wells and penalize those who extract groundwater without a valid NOC.
•    Notifying Areas: The authority has the power to notify specific areas as "over-exploited," "critical," or "semi-critical" based on groundwater assessment. Once an area is notified, stringent regulations and controls on groundwater extraction are put in place to manage the resource effectively.
•    Setting Guidelines: The CGWA establishes guidelines and procedures for the grant of NOCs for groundwater withdrawal, which are revised periodically to reflect changing conditions and conservation needs. These guidelines specify the required documentation, fees, and conditions for approval.

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is a body established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, with the primary mandate of regulating, managing, and controlling the development and management of India's groundwater resources. It operates under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Mission and Purpose of CGWA

•    Sustainable Management: The core objective is to ensure the sustainable and responsible use of groundwater, a finite and critical resource.
•    Preventing Over-exploitation: The CGWA aims to prevent the over-extraction of groundwater, which can lead to a decline in water tables, aquifer depletion, and water quality degradation.
•    Conservation and Recharge: The authority promotes measures for groundwater conservation, such as rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge, and often makes them mandatory for entities that extract groundwater.

Regulatory Framework of CGWA

The CGWA has framed guidelines for granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for groundwater abstraction. These guidelines are the primary tool for regulating groundwater use. The application for an NOC is typically a detailed process that requires applicants to submit:
•    A comprehensive hydrogeological report.
•    Plans for rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge.
•    A water quality report.
•    Detailed information about the proposed water use.

Jurisdiction and Powers of CGWA

•    Notified Areas: The CGWA has the power to notify specific areas as "over-exploited," "critical," or "semi-critical" based on the level of groundwater development. In these notified areas, restrictions on new bore wells and the quantity of water extraction are much stricter.
•    Enforcement: The CGWA can take legal action against any entity found to be illegally extracting groundwater. 

1.    Andaman and Nicobar Islands
2.    Assam
3.    Arunachal Pradesh
4.    Bihar
5.    Chhattisgarh
6.    Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
7.    Gujarat
8.    Jharkhand
9.    Madhya Pradesh
10.    Maharashtra
11.    Manipur
12.    Meghalaya
13.    Mizoram
14.    Nagaland
15.    Odisha
16.    Rajasthan
17.    Sikkim
18.    Tripura
19.    Uttarakhand
20.    Andhra Pradesh (only mining projects)
21.    Telangana (only mining projects)
 

The documents required for a Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) online application for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) vary depending on the type of project (industrial, infrastructure, or mining) and the amount of groundwater to be abstracted.

Documents Required for CGWA Online Application

1.  Basic Project & Ownership Documents

•    Proof of land ownership / lease agreement (sale deed, lease deed, allotment letter, etc.).
•    Site plan / location map with geo-coordinates (Google map or survey map).
•    Company registration documents (CIN, GST, PAN, MSME certificate if applicable).

2.  Water Requirement Details

•    Detailed water requirement report (process, domestic, cooling, green belt, etc.).
•    Water balance chart (showing source, consumption, and disposal).
•    Details of water meters proposed/installed (for monitoring extraction).

3.  Hydrogeological & Technical Reports

•    Hydrogeological report (by CGWA/State-approved geologist/hydrogeologist).
•    Groundwater availability assessment (with test bore/observation well data).
•    Rainwater harvesting / recharge proposal (with technical drawings).

4.  Regulatory Clearances

•    Consent to Establish / Operate (CTE/CTO) from State Pollution Control Board (or proof of having applied).
•    Environmental Clearance (EC), if applicable.
•    Approval/permission from local authority / industrial development authority (in case of industrial areas).

5.  Compliance & Undertakings

•    Self-declaration / Affidavit (on non-judicial stamp paper) confirming compliance with CGWA guidelines.
•    Certificate of non-extraction (if project is in notified / restricted area and using alternate sources).
•    Previous NOC and compliance report (for renewal applications).

6.  Category-Specific Documents

•    For Infrastructure projects (housing, hotels, hospitals, schools): Occupancy certificate / building plan approval.
•    For Packaged Drinking Water Plants: BIS certification / application.
•    For Mining Projects: Mining lease document and dewatering plan.
 

The CGWA permission for ground water abstraction is required for following purposes:

• Industrial Use
• Infrastructural Use
• Mining use 
   

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has a streamlined online procedure for applying for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for groundwater abstraction. The process, managed through the official "NOCAP" (NOC to Abstract Ground Water) portal, is designed to be comprehensive and transparent.

1.  User Registration

•    Access the Portal: The first step is to visit the official CGWA NOCAP portal 
•    New User Registration: Click on "New User Registration." You will be required to provide basic details such as your name, email ID, mobile number, and address.
•    Verification: An OTP (One-Time Password) is sent to your registered mobile number for verification. After successful verification, you can create a unique username and password.

2.  Application Submission

•    Login: Log in to the portal using your newly created credentials.
•    Select Application Type: From the menu, select the "New Application" option and choose the appropriate category for your project (e.g., Industrial, Infrastructure, or Mining).
•    Fill the Application Form: The online form is extensive and requires detailed information about your project, including:
     --  General Information: Name of the company/industry, location details (address, latitude, longitude), contact information, and project type.
     --  Water Requirement Details: A breakdown of the total fresh water requirement, including water balance flow chart showing usage at each stage (e.g., domestic, industrial process, cooling, etc.).
     --  Existing and Proposed Structures: Information on all existing and proposed bore wells/tube wells, including depth, diameter, and the installed pump horsepower.
     --  Groundwater Conditions: A comprehensive report or note on the groundwater conditions of the area, especially for large-scale projects.
     --  Rainwater Harvesting: Details of the proposed or existing rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge measures.

3.  Document Upload

This is a critical step where you must upload all the required supporting documents in the specified formats (usually PDF or JPG). The documents vary based on the project type, but a general list includes:
•    Proof of Land Ownership: Land registration deed, lease deed, or allotment letter.
•    Statutory Approvals:
     --  Valid Consent to Establish (CTE) or Consent to Operate (CTO) from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).
     --  Environmental Clearance (EC) from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), if applicable.
     --  Water Availability Proof: A certificate or affidavit of non-availability or partial availability of water from a government water supply agency.
     --  Technical Reports:
     --  A comprehensive hydrogeological report, especially for projects with high water withdrawal.
     --  A detailed proposal for rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge.
     --  In over-exploited areas, an Impact Assessment Report (IAR) with groundwater modeling may be required.
     --  Corporate Documents: Certificate of Incorporation (CIN), Memorandum of Association (MOA), Articles of Association (AOA), and a board declaration authorizing the signatory.
     --  Ground Watre Lab test Report: A groundwater quality test report from a NABL-accredited or government-approved lab.

4.  Fee Payment and Submission

•    Fee Calculation: The portal will calculate the application fee and the groundwater abstraction charges based on the details you have entered.
•    Online Payment: Pay the fees online through the designated payment gateway. The application will not be processed until the fee is successfully paid.
•    Final Submission: After uploading all documents and making the payment, review the entire application carefully. Once you are certain everything is correct, click "Submit."

Note: Once submitted, the application cannot be edited.
 

The cost of a Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) permission for groundwater extraction is not a single, fixed fee. It is determined by several factors and includes two main components: an application fee and groundwater abstraction charges.

1.  Application Fees

This is a one-time, non-refundable fee paid at the time of application. The amount of this fee can vary based on the specific guidelines in place and the category of the applicant. The fees are generally paid online through a government portal like Bharatkosh. While specific amounts can change, here is an example of the kind of fee structure that may exist:
•    Fresh NOC Application: Around ₹10,000
•    Renewal of NOC: Around ₹5,000
•    Revival of NOC: Around ₹10,000 (if the NOC has expired)

2.  Groundwater Abstraction/Restoration Charges

This is the main cost component and is calculated based on several key factors:
•    Quantum of Water Abstraction: The more water you propose to withdraw, the higher the charges will be. The rates are typically structured in slabs based on the volume of water extracted per cubic meter (m3) or per thousand liters.
•    Assessment Unit Category: The charges are significantly higher in areas that are classified as "over-exploited" or "critical" compared to "safe" or "semi-critical" areas. The CGWA and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) regularly assess and update these classifications for all parts of the country.
•    Type of Project: The rate of charges varies depending on the purpose of the water extraction. For example, the rates for a packaged drinking water unit or other high-use commercial activities are much higher than those for a residential housing society or an industrial unit.
•    Groundwater Restoration Charges: In "over-exploited" areas, applicants may be required to pay an additional restoration charge to contribute to efforts to replenish the aquifer.

Exemptions

Certain categories of users are exempt from paying these fees and charges, including:
•    Individual domestic consumers: For drinking and household use.
•    Agriculture sector: In most cases, agricultural users are exempt from obtaining an NOC and paying fees, though this is a subject of ongoing policy discussions.
•    Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs): Those with a very low water requirement (typically less than 10 cubic meters per day) may be exempt from the application fee, late fees, and abstraction charges.
Other Potential Costs

In addition to the official government fees, an applicant may incur other costs, such as:

•    Consultancy Fees: Hiring a professional hydro geologist or environmental consultant to prepare the detailed hydrogeological report, design the rainwater harvesting structures, and assist with the application process. This is a crucial and often substantial cost, especially for large-scale projects.
•    Laboratory Testing Fees: For a certified groundwater quality report.
•    Cost of implementing rainwater harvesting and recharge structures.
 

Biomedical waste is the waste generated from the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of diseases. The bio-medical waste is generated in hospitals, health clinics, nursing homes, emergency medical services, medical research laboratories, offices of physicians, dentists, veterinarians, home health care and morgues or funeral homes. Bio-medical waste include discarded blood, sharps, used bandages and dressings, discarded gloves, needles, scalpels, lancets.

The applicant is required to visit the official website of his/her respective State Pollution Control Board and create a login ID and Password, by submitting preliminary details such as name of the applicant, name of the organization, address of the premises. After that the applicant is required to upload the required documents and submit Government fee. When the Government fee is submitted online, an application for Bio-Medical Waste Authorization is created and forwarded to the concerned officer of the State Pollution Control Board. The concerned officer may inspect the premises of the applicant and may ask for clarifications regarding some important issues. Once the queries raised during inspection are submitted, the certificate of Bio-Medical Waste Authorization is issued on the email of the applicant. 

The Government fee for the application for Bio-Medical Waste Authorization may range from NIL to up to Rs.10,000, depending on the State Pollution Control Board. For Delhi Pollution Control Board, the Government fee is Rs.5,000. If an agency is hired for this, it may charge you some consulting fee.  

The Union Government of India has initiated the Extended Producer's Responsibility (EPR) to ensure the monitoring and recyling of the material which are main causes of pollution generation. These products which fall under EPR are plastics, electronics, batteries, tyres & Used Oil. 

The Electrical & Electronics EPR (EEE EPR) Certifciate is a registration with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) wherein we inform the CPCB about the quantity of electrical & elecronic item we imported or manufactured. Depending on this quantity, the CPCB allots recycling targets to the applicants. These recyling targets are to be met by the applicants in conjuction with the recyclers of the electronic & electrical atems.  

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) define the life-cycle of products mentioned in Schedule I of E-waste (Management) Rules,2016 manufactured and distributed by Dealer, Bulk consumer, Producer, and Importer
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) encourages a cradle-to-cradle approach to recover, recycle and reuse discarded products to make new products by way of managing materials, meaning products and packaging discarded by the consumer to reduce our impact on the environment.
• Reuse and recycling of waste are comparatively more energy efficient than manufacturing from new materials and as the costs of collection, processing and recycling are shifted from consumers to the producers of the Product, this outlook encourages industry to be more innovative in product and packaging design.

The business entities falling under the purview of E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016 are the manufacturers, producers, dealers, e-retailer, refurbished, dismantler and recycler consumer, bulk consumer, collection centers, involved in manufacturing, sale, transfer, purchase, collection, storage and processing of e-waste or electrical and electronic equipment listed in the Schedule I of E-waste (Management) Rules 2016, including their components, consumables, parts and spares which make the product operational.

 The documents Required for Electronics & Electrical Equipment (EEE) EPR Application are: 

1. Pan card Aadhar card of Authorized Person
2. GST certificate
3. Certificate of Incorporation (CIN)
4. Sales record from last 5 years or the start of business, whichever is later
5. Authorization Letter except for Proprietorship
6. Import Export Code (IEC) certificate

The applicant is required to upload the documents required, along with the application, in a prescribed format to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) online portal for EPR application. The EPR Plan for collection of the E-Waste is also submitted along with an agreement with the authorized E-Waste recycler. After the application is submitted online, the CPCB may issue clarifications/modifications in the application. After these queries are answered to the satisfaction of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the EPR Registration is issued.

The Government fee for EEE EP Application is Rs.10,000. If an external agency is hired, it may charge you accordingly. 

The follwoing electrical & elctronics items require EPRA Certification.  

(i)    Information technology and telecommunication equipment: 

Centralized data processing: Mainframes, Minicomputers    ITEW1
Personal  Computing:  Personal  Computers  (Central  Processing  unit  with  input  and output devices)    ITEW2
Personal  Computing:  Laptop  Computers  (Central  Processing  unit  with  input  and output devices)    ITEW3
Personal Computing: Notebook Computers    ITEW4
Personal Computing: Notepad Computers    ITEW5
Printers including cartridges    ITEW6
Copying Equipment    ITEW7
Electrical and Electronic Typewriters    ITEW8
User terminal and Systems    ITEW9
Facsimile    ITEW10
Telex    ITEW11
Telephones    ITEW12
Pay telephones    ITEW13
Cordless telephones    ITEW14
Cellular telephones    ITEW15
Answering System    ITEW16
Products  or  equipment  of  transmitting  sound,  images  or  other  information  by telecommunications    ITEW17
BTS (all components excluding structure of tower)    ITEW18
Tablets, I-PAD    ITEW19
Phablets    ITEW20
Scanners    ITEW21
Routers    ITEW22
GPS    ITEW23
UPS    ITEW24
Inverter    ITEW25
Modems    ITEW26
Electronic data storage devices    ITEW27

(ii)    Consumer Electrical and Electronics and Photovoltaic Panels:  

Television  sets  (including  sets  based  on  Liquid  Crystal  Display and  light  Emitting Diode Technology)    CEEW1
Refrigerator    CEEW2
Washing Machine    CEEW3
Air- Conditioners excluding centralised air conditioning plants    CEEW4
Fluorescent and other Mercury containing lamps    CEEW5
Screen, Electronic Photo frames, Electronic Display Panel, Monitors    CEEW6
Radio sets    CEEW7
Set top Boxes    CEEW8
Video Cameras    CEEW9
Video Recorders    CEEW10
Hi-Fi Recorders    CEEW11
Audio Amplifiers    CEEW12
Other products or equipment for the purpose of recording or reproducing sound or images  including  signals  and  other  technologies  for  the  distribution  of  sound  and image by telecommunications    CEEW13
Solar panels/cells, solar Photovoltaic panels/cells/modules.    CEEW14
Luminaires for fluorescent lamps with the exception of luminaires in households    CEEW15
High intensity discharge  lamps, including  pressure sodium lamps  and  metal  halide lamps    CEEW16
Low pressure sodium lamps    CEEW17
Other  lighting  or  equipment  for  the  purpose  of  spreading  or  controlling  light excluding filament bulbs    CEEW18
Digital camera    CEEW19

(iii)    Large and Small Electrical and Electronic Equipment  

Large cooling appliances    LSEEW1
Freezers    LSEEW2
Other large appliances used for refrigeration, conservation and storage of food    LSEEW3
Clothes dryers    LSEEW4
Dish Washing Machines    LSEEW5
Electric cookers    LSEEW6
Electric stoves    LSEEW7
Electric hot plates    LSEEW8
Microwaves, Microwave Oven    LSEEW9
Other large appliances used for cooking and other processing of food    LSEEW10
Electric heating appliances    LSEEW11
Electric radiators    LSEEW12
Other large appliances for heating rooms, beds, seating furniture    LSEEW13
Electric fans    LSEEW14
Other fanning, exhaust ventilation and conditioning equipment    LSEEW15
Vacuum cleaners    LSEEW16
Carpet sweepers    LSEEW17
Other appliances for cleaning    LSEEW18
Appliances used for sewing, knitting, weaving and other processing for textiles    LSEEW19
Iron and other appliances for ironing, mangling and other care of clothing    LSEEW20
Grinders,  coffee  machines  and  equipment  for  opening  or  sealing  containers  or packages    LSEEW21
Smoke detector    LSEEW22
Heating Regulators    LSEEW23
Thermostats    LSEEW24
Automatic dispensers for hot drinks    LSEEW25
Automatic dispensers for hot or cold bottles or cans    LSEEW26
Automatic dispensers for solid products    LSEEW27
Automatic dispensers for money    LSEEW28
All appliances which deliver automatically all kinds of products    LSEEW29
Indoor air  purifier    LSEEW30
Hair dryer    LSEEW31
Electric shaver    LSEEW32
Electric kettle    LSEEW33
Electronic display panels/board/visual display unit    LSEEW34

(iv)    Electrical  and  Electronic  Tools  (With  the  exception  of  large-  Scale  Stationary Industrial Tools)    

Drills    EETW1
Saws    EETW2
Sewing Machines    EETW3
Equipment for turning, milling, sanding, grinding, sawing, cutting, shearing, drilling, making holes, punching, folding, bending or similar processing of wood, metal and other materials    EETW4
Tools  for  riveting,  nailing  or  screwing  or  removing  rivets,  nails,  screws  or  similar uses    EETW5
Tools for welding, soldering, or similar use    EETW6
Equipment for spraying, spreading, dispersing or other treatment of liquid or gaseous substance by other means    EETW7
Tools for mowing or other gardening activities    EETW8

(v)    Toys, Leisure and Sports Equipment    

Electrical trains or car racing sets    TLSEW1
Hand-held video games consoles    TLSEW2
Video games    TLSEW3
Computers for biking, diving, running, rowing, etc.    TLSEW4
Sports equipment with electric or electronic components    TLSEW5
Coin slot machines    TLSEW6

(vi)    Medical Devices (With the Exception of All Implanted and Infected Products)

Radiotherapy equipment and accessories    MDW1
Cardiology equipment and accessories    MDW2
Dialysis equipment and accessories    MDW3
Pulmonary ventilators and accessories    MDW4
Nuclear Medicine Equipment and accessories    MDW5
Laboratory equipment for in vitro diagnosis and accessories    MDW6
Analysers and accessories    MDW7
Magnetic   Resonance   Imaging   (MRI),   Positron   Emission   Tomography   (PET) Scanner, Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner, & Ultrasound Equipment along with accessories    MDW8
Fertilization tests equipment and accessories    MDW9
Other  electric  appliances/equipment/kits  used  for  preventing,  screening,  detecting, monitoring, evaluating, reviewing, examining, investigating, probing, treating illness sickness,  disease,  disorder,  affliction,  infection,  injury,  trauma,  abuse  or  disability including  the  Mobiles,  Tablets  or  any  other  device  with  the  features  having  the potential of sex selection and their accessories    MDW10

(vii)    Laboratory Instruments    

Gas analyser    LIW1
Equipment having electrical and electronic components    LIW2

1. Maintain Sales Record in Form-2 of these rules and make such records available for scrutiny by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as and when directed.
2. File an annual return in Form-3 to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on or before 30th day of June following the financial year which that return relates to.
3. File quarterly report to Central Pollution Control Board in respect of amount of waste collected and recycled.
4. Organize Consumer awareness programs as submiited in the EPR plan.