A groundwater NOC is the permission to extract groundwater for an industry, mine, infrastructure project, housing society or packaged water unit, given by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) or, where a state has its own regime, by the state authority. If you plan to run a borewell or tubewell for anything other than individual domestic or agricultural use, you must check whether you need one before you drill, and often before the pollution board will finalise your consent.
What is a groundwater NOC and why does it exist?
India's groundwater is a shared resource, and many aquifers in Delhi NCR, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh are stressed. A groundwater NOC is how the regulator controls who may extract how much, and under what conditions. It is not a one-time paper: it comes with obligations such as digital flow meters, observation wells (piezometers), recharge structures, water audits and periodic reports.
At the national level, CGWA regulates extraction under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 through its 2020 guidelines. These apply to industries, mining projects, packaged drinking water units, infrastructure projects, residential complexes and bulk or tanker suppliers. Individual domestic users, rural drinking water schemes, agriculture, Armed Forces establishments and micro and small enterprises drawing under 10 cubic metres a day are exempt from the NOC, although in over-exploited areas the small enterprise must still furnish its MSME certificate to CGWB.
The picture is state-specific. Haryana has its own authority, HWRA, and CGWA's NOCAP portal itself states that Haryana cases are handled only by HWRA. Punjab has a separate regulator and NOCAP no longer accepts Punjab applications. Uttar Pradesh regulates through the Uttar Pradesh Ground Water (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019, with District Ground Water Management Councils chaired by the District Magistrate. Always confirm which authority has jurisdiction over your exact plot before you file.
Who needs a groundwater NOC?
You should check for a groundwater NOC if you draw or plan to draw groundwater through a borewell for any of these uses:
- Manufacturing units, including packaged drinking water and beverage plants, using groundwater as process or utility water
- Mining and quarrying projects, including dewatering
- Infrastructure projects such as hotels, hospitals, schools, malls, clubs, commercial complexes and IT parks
- Residential apartments and group housing societies drawing above 10 cubic metres a day where a public supply is not available
- Private tanker and bulk water suppliers
- Existing industries that are expanding capacity or adding borewells, or whose earlier NOC is about to expire
Benefits of Groundwater NOC (CGWA / State Authority)
A lawful water source
With a valid NOC your borewell is a permitted source of supply. Without one, extraction can attract environmental compensation calculated from the volume drawn and the number of days of illegal use, apart from closure or sealing of the structure.
Smoother pollution consent
Boards in Delhi NCR commonly ask for proof of water source when you apply for CTE or CTO. A groundwater NOC removes one of the most common reasons a consent file stays pending. See our pollution NOC page for how the two fit together.
Lender and buyer confidence
Banks, investors and large customers increasingly examine water compliance in due diligence. A valid NOC with clean compliance reports supports project finance and vendor audits.
Clear operating limits
The NOC states the permitted quantity and conditions, so your team knows exactly what is allowed and can plan expansion before, not after, installing a new borewell.
Protection from complaints
Neighbouring farmers and residents often complain about drawdown. Documented compliance with metering and recharge conditions is your main defence.
Eligibility & applicability
There is no qualification test, but your application will be assessed on location and data quality. Check these points first:
- Area category: the block or assessment unit may be safe, semi-critical, critical or over-exploited. Charges, validity and conditions change by category, and in notified areas new groundwater use for industry may be barred or tightly restricted.
- Quantity: demand above 10 cubic metres a day triggers observation well requirements; a Haryana project above 500 KLD in an over-exploited, critical or semi-critical block needs an Impact Assessment Report.
- Alternative supply: where a public water supplier exists, you may need a no-objection or non-availability certificate from that supplier before groundwater is considered.
- Water quality: saline groundwater users are treated differently; Haryana defines saline as TDS above 3,000 or electrical conductivity above 5,000.
- Wetlands: projects within 500 metres of a demarcated wetland must complete a detailed study and obtain wetland authority consent before applying to CGWA.
- Applicant: the owner or occupier of the project, whether company, LLP, partnership, society or proprietor, applies in its own name for a specific site.
Documents required
Applicant documents
- Incorporation proof, PAN and GST details of the entity
- Authorisation letter or board resolution and ID proof of the signatory
- Udyam registration if claiming the small-enterprise exemption
Site documents
- Land ownership or registered lease deed and a recent utility bill as address proof
- Site layout and location map with latitude and longitude of the borewell
- Building plan or project approval for infrastructure projects
- Details of existing borewells, including depth, diameter, pump capacity and date of installation
Technical documents
- Water balance showing demand, source, consumption, wastewater and recycling
- Groundwater quality report tested to IS 10500 (HWRA requires it within one year)
- Hydrogeological or impact assessment report where required, with data not older than two years in Haryana
- Rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge plan
- Proof of non-availability of public water supply or supplier NOC, not older than six months in Haryana
For renewal or expansion
- Previous NOC and compliance reports on its conditions
- Water level and abstraction data, flow meter calibration certificate and logbook
- Water audit report if you abstract above 100 cubic metres a day
Step-by-step process to obtain a groundwater NOC
The route depends on the state. The sequence below reflects the CGWA process, with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh differences noted.
Identify the correct authority and area category
Check whether your plot falls in a state with its own regulator (Haryana, Punjab, or a state with a groundwater Act such as Uttar Pradesh) or under CGWA. Then check the category of the block or assessment unit, because it decides charges, validity and whether the project can be permitted at all.
Fix your water demand honestly
Build a water balance from your process and headcount. Over-stating demand raises charges and over-draw risk; under-stating it creates violation exposure later. The regulator will compare your figure with the pump capacity and the consent application.
Commission the technical reports
Arrange the water quality test, hydrogeological or impact assessment where required, and a rainwater harvesting and recharge design. These reports take the longest to get, so start them before you register.
Register and file online
On CGWA's NOCAP portal you file a fresh NOC or renewal and pay the processing fee, advance water charges and any penalty through the portal's payment link; hard copies are not accepted. In Haryana, register on hwra.org.in and file under Industry, Infrastructure or Mining. In Uttar Pradesh, existing and new commercial and industrial users register with the District Ground Water Management Council.
Respond to queries
Reviewers typically ask for clearer water balance, quality reports, recharge design or proof of alternate supply. Replies and compliance reports to CGWA are sent by email in PDF, and each query round adds time.
Receive the NOC and install the required structures
The NOC lists the permitted quantity and conditions. Install the digital flow meter with telemetry, piezometers and recharge structures within the timelines stated, and keep a logbook of daily abstraction.
Report and renew on time
Submit water level, quality and abstraction data and self-compliance reports as required, complete the annual water audit if applicable, and apply for renewal at least 90 days before expiry.
Government fees and water charges
Two kinds of payment arise: an application (processing) fee, and a water conservation or abstraction charge linked to the volume you are permitted and the category of the area. The figures below are from CGWA's 2020 framework; Haryana publishes its own schedule and tariff.
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| CGWA processing fee – fresh NOC | ₹10,000 | Paid on NOCAP; application is accepted only after payment |
| CGWA processing fee – renewal or expansion | ₹5,000 | Paid on NOCAP |
| Water conservation / abstraction charge – industries and infrastructure | ₹1–5 per cubic metre (safe), ₹2–8 (semi-critical), ₹4–10 (critical) | Slab depends on volume band; advance charges are paid with the application |
| Restoration charge – industries in over-exploited areas | ₹6–20 per cubic metre | Applies in over-exploited assessment units |
| HWRA application fee and tariff | As per Schedule IV of HWRA guidelines | Advance tariff for 90 days is held as security; MSMEs under 10 cubic metres a day are exempt from fee and tariff but must register |
| UP annual extraction fee | As notified by the State Authority | Charged in addition to the central water cess under the 2019 Act |
Professional charges are quoted separately after reviewing your case. Government fees are paid directly to the authority.
How long does a groundwater NOC take?
There is no fixed statutory clock you can rely on. HWRA states that a complete application with no pending queries takes about a month, while CGWA cases depend on how quickly queries are answered and whether the project needs an impact assessment. Well-prepared files move fastest; the delay is almost always in the technical reports and in documents expiring while the file is pending.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Technical reports and document preparation | 2–6 weeks, depending on testing and report availability |
| Portal scrutiny and query rounds | Varies by authority and queries; HWRA indicates about one month if complete |
| Installation of meter, piezometer and recharge structures | Within the period stated in the NOC; CGWA's framework allows 30 days for meters and 90 days for observation wells |
Validity & renewal
Under CGWA's 2020 framework, NOC validity is 5 years for infrastructure and drinking or urban water agencies in safe, semi-critical and critical areas, 3 years for industries, 2 years for mines, and 2 years for all users in over-exploited areas. Apply for renewal at least 90 days before expiry. If you apply more than three months after expiry, environmental compensation is charged for the gap period, and extensions are capped at two years. The validity period actually written on your NOC is what binds you, so read the order carefully and diarise the renewal date.
Compliance after you get the NOC
- Install a BIS-standard digital flow meter with telemetry and have it calibrated once a year through an authorised agency
- Build the piezometers required for your abstraction band and submit water level and quality data
- Maintain a daily logbook of abstraction and submit abstraction data as required
- Complete a water audit through a certified auditor if you abstract above 100 cubic metres a day, and submit it within three months of completion
- Construct and maintain rainwater harvesting and recharge structures as approved
- File self-compliance reports and apply for renewal at least 90 days before expiry
- Seek prior approval before changing demand, adding or closing borewells
CGWA vs HWRA vs Uttar Pradesh: how the regimes differ
| Point | CGWA (central) | HWRA (Haryana) | Uttar Pradesh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | EP Act, 1986 and CGWA 2020 guidelines | Haryana Water Resources Authority Act and HWRA guidelines | UP Ground Water (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019 |
| Who processes | CGWA through NOCAP | HWRA through hwra.org.in | District Ground Water Management Council; State Authority for notified areas |
| Small user exemption | Micro and small enterprises under 10 cubic metres a day | MSMEs under 10 cubic metres a day, must still register | Domestic and agricultural users need registration, not a permit |
| Over-exploited areas | Restoration charges and shorter validity | Categorised by block and village | New commercial and industrial wells banned in notified areas |
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Drilling first, applying later
Installing a borewell before the NOC is the most expensive mistake. Illegal abstraction is penalised by compensation on the volume and duration, and in notified areas new structures may not be allowed at all.
Filing with the wrong authority
Haryana applications sent to CGWA, or Punjab applications on NOCAP, are not processed. Confirm jurisdiction before paying any fee.
Expired supporting documents
Haryana requires supplier NOCs, non-availability certificates and utility bills to be recent, with specified maximum ages. A file that waits for a query can see its documents go stale.
Weak water balance
A balance that does not reconcile with the pump capacity or the pollution board application invites repeated queries.
Ignoring meter and piezometer conditions
CGWA's guidelines carry specific penalties, such as ₹2 lakh for a missing or defunct flow meter and ₹2 lakh for a missing piezometer. Treat installation as part of the project plan.
Letting renewal lapse
Applying late brings environmental compensation for the gap and, for repeat lapses, risk of non-renewal.
Penalties and environmental compensation
Penalties differ by authority. CGWA's 2020 framework fixes specific amounts for breaches of NOC conditions and charges environmental compensation for illegal extraction, using a formula of daily groundwater consumed, a rate per cubic metre, the number of days, and a deterrence factor. Uttar Pradesh's 2019 Act makes violations punishable by fine and imprisonment. Haryana applies late fees and penalties under HWRA guidelines.
| Default | Consequence | Provision |
|---|---|---|
| Flow meter not installed or defunct (CGWA) | ₹2 lakh | CGWA 2020 guidelines, penalty schedule |
| Piezometer not installed (CGWA) | ₹2 lakh | CGWA 2020 guidelines, penalty schedule |
| Recharge structure not built (CGWA) | ₹5 lakh | CGWA 2020 guidelines, penalty schedule |
| Providing false information or undertaking (CGWA) | ₹1 lakh | CGWA 2020 guidelines, penalty schedule |
| Contravention by commercial, industrial, infrastructural or bulk users in UP (first offence) | Fine of ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh, imprisonment of 6 months to 1 year, or both; double fine and cancellation on repeat | UP Ground Water (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019 – Section 39(1) |
| Applying late in Haryana after the notified deadline | Late fee of ₹1 lakh over the application fee | HWRA guidelines (per HWRA FAQ) |
Practitioner tips
- Run the groundwater and pollution consent files side by side. Boards often ask for water source approval, and a mismatch in daily water quantity between the two applications is a frequent query.
- Order the water quality test only after confirming sampling and lab requirements, and file within a year of the report. We see more delays from stale reports than from any technical objection.
- Plan the flow meter and piezometer vendor before you receive the NOC. The installation windows are short, and a missing meter is an easy compliance finding at the first inspection.
- If you are only just under the 10 cubic metre exemption, document your actual consumption carefully. Regulators may check pump capacity and electricity load against your claim.
- Maintain one master folder of NOC, meter calibration certificates, water audit and recharge photographs. It answers most inspection and due diligence requests in minutes.
How Lawgical Guru helps with your groundwater NOC
Jurisdiction and category check
We confirm whether CGWA, HWRA or a state council has authority over your plot and whether the area category permits your project, before you spend on reports.
Water balance and file preparation
We prepare a reconciled water balance and coordinate with your hydrogeologist and lab for the technical reports the authority requires.
Portal filing and tracking
We file on NOCAP, HWRA or the relevant state system, manage the payment and track the application until an order is issued.
Query replies
We draft clear replies to queries and compile compliance reports in the format the authority expects.
Renewal and compliance calendar
We diarise renewals, audit and reporting dates so that the NOC does not lapse.
Linked approvals
We coordinate your pollution NOC, factory licence and fire NOC so the water source proof matches across files.
Groundwater NOC (CGWA / State Authority): frequently asked questions
Who needs a groundwater NOC in India?
Industries, mining projects, packaged water units, infrastructure projects, residential complexes using more than 10 cubic metres a day without public supply, and tanker suppliers need it where they extract groundwater. Individual domestic users, agriculture, rural drinking water schemes, Armed Forces establishments and micro and small enterprises drawing under 10 cubic metres a day are exempt under CGWA's framework.
How do I apply for a CGWA NOC?
Applications for fresh NOC and renewal are made online on CGWA's NOCAP portal. You pay the processing fee, advance water conservation charges and any penalty through the portal's payment link. Hard copies are not accepted, and compliance reports and query replies are sent by email in PDF. Haryana and Punjab cases are not handled by NOCAP.
What is the fee for a groundwater NOC?
Under CGWA's framework the processing fee is ₹10,000 for a fresh NOC and ₹5,000 for renewal or expansion, plus water conservation charges per cubic metre that vary with the volume and area category. HWRA and Uttar Pradesh follow their own fee schedules. Professional fees are separate.
How long is a groundwater NOC valid?
CGWA's 2020 framework provides 3 years for industries, 5 years for infrastructure in safe, semi-critical and critical areas, 2 years for mines and 2 years for all users in over-exploited areas. Renewal should be applied for at least 90 days before expiry. The period on your actual NOC is final.
Do I need a groundwater NOC in Haryana from CGWA?
No. CGWA's NOCAP portal states that Haryana cases are handled only by HWRA, the Haryana Water Resources Authority. You register on hwra.org.in and file under Industry, Infrastructure or Mining. HWRA indicates about a month for a complete application, and supplier NOCs, quality reports and utility bills must be recent.
Is a groundwater NOC required in Uttar Pradesh?
Yes, under the Uttar Pradesh Ground Water (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019. In non-notified areas, an NOC from the District Ground Water Management Council is required before sinking a well for commercial, industrial, infrastructural or bulk use. In notified over-exploited or critical areas, new such wells are prohibited, with limited exceptions.
Is a groundwater NOC required for a hotel, hospital or housing society?
Yes, where the project extracts groundwater and does not fall under an exemption. CGWA's framework covers infrastructure projects and residential complexes using groundwater above 10 cubic metres a day where public supply is unavailable. Haryana lists hospitals, schools, hotels, restaurants, malls, clubs and housing societies as covered infrastructure.
What happens if I extract groundwater without an NOC?
You can be charged environmental compensation calculated from the volume drawn, a rate per cubic metre, the number of days and a deterrence factor, with minimums, and your structure can be sealed. In Uttar Pradesh the 2019 Act also provides fines and imprisonment. Late applications in Haryana attract a late fee.
Are flow meters and piezometers compulsory?
Under CGWA's framework digital flow meters with telemetry are required for all users who seek or hold an NOC, installed within 30 days and calibrated yearly. Users abstracting more than 10 cubic metres a day need piezometers, with automatic water level recorders and telemetry as the volume rises. The NOC order lists the exact requirements.
When is a water audit required?
Industries abstracting more than 100 cubic metres a day must complete an annual water audit through a certified auditor such as CII, FICCI or NPC, and submit the report to CGWA within three months of completion. The framework also expects such industries to reduce groundwater use by at least 20 percent over three years.
Do I need a groundwater NOC before applying for a pollution NOC?
Often yes, or at least proof of an alternative water supply. State pollution boards, especially in Delhi NCR, commonly ask for the water source approval before finalising consent. File both applications together and keep the daily water quantity the same in each.
Related guides
Reviewed by Satyam Gupta, Company Secretary (CS) & Advocate
8+ years of industry experience. This page was last reviewed on 16 October 2026 against the official sources below. Rules and fees change — confirm on the official portal before you apply.