What is CGWA NOC?
The Ministry of Jal Shakti oversees the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), a regulatory agency in charge of managing and developing India’s groundwater resources. According to the CGWA requirements for groundwater extraction, people, businesses, and enterprises must get Ground Water NOC clearance before extracting groundwater.
The CGWA NOC is required for:
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Industrial units
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Infrastructure projects
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Mining activities
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Agricultural users (in notified areas)
Why Tube Wells and Bore Wells Need CGWA NOC
In India, the depletion of groundwater is a serious problem. To guarantee sustainable extraction, stringent controls are enforced by the Central Groundwater Authority. Getting the NOC is not only required, but also a good environmental practice when installing a tube well for a manufacturing facility, commercial space, or residential development.
Failure to obtain a CGWA NOC can result in:
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Heavy penalties
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Legal actions
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Sealing of bore wells or tube wells
Detailed Procedure for CGWA NOC Application
Step 1: Identify Application Type
The application varies based on your activity type (industrial, infrastructure, or mining) and the location (notified vs non-notified area). Visit the CGWA NOC portal and register your entity accordingly.
Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
You’ll need the following:
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Groundwater abstraction structure details
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Site plan and ownership documents
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Water requirement breakup
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Certificate of incorporation (for companies)
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Environment Clearance (if applicable)
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Water quality report
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Rainwater harvesting plan
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Geo-tagged images of the site and existing structures
Step 3: Submit Online Application
Log in to the CGWA portal and fill out the application form. Upload all supporting documents in the specified format. You’ll also be required to pay a processing fee.
Step 4: Verification & Inspection
Once submitted, your application is reviewed by CGWA officials. Field inspections may be conducted to verify the data and assess the sustainability of water extraction.
Step 5: Approval and Issuance of NOC
Once approved, the NOC is issued electronically. A version that may be downloaded will be sent to you via the CGWA web portal dashboard.
How to Download CGWA NOC
After approval, follow these steps to download your NOC:
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Visit the official CGWA NOC portal: https://cgwa-noc.gov.in/
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Log in using your credentials
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Navigate to the “Approved Applications” section
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Click on the download icon next to your approved NOC
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Save the file for submission or record-keeping
The NOC is typically valid for 1 to 3 years, after which it must be renewed based on continued compliance and updated conditions.
Eligibility for Setting Up a CGWA-Approved Water Boring for Industry
The following requirements must be fulfilled in order for the Central Ground Water Authority to authorize CGWA-Water Boring:
Type of Industrial Use
The CGWA permits groundwater extraction for:
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Manufacturing industries (textile, chemical, food processing, etc.)
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Industrial parks/SEZs
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Construction and infrastructure projects
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Power plants
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Cold storage and warehouses
2. Location-Based Eligibility
CGWA uses the degree of groundwater development to categorize areas:
Area Category | Eligibility Status for Industries |
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Safe | ✅ Eligible with standard compliance |
Semi-Critical | ✅ Eligible with stricter controls |
Critical | ✅ Eligible with additional recharge measures |
Over-Exploited | 🚫 Generally not permitted, unless for essential services (e.g., drinking water or defense) |
Check your location status using the CGWA District Groundwater Classification before applying.
3. Mandatory Requirements
To be eligible, industries must ensure:
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Water Conservation Plan: Must include a rainwater harvesting structure and groundwater recharge plan.
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Digital Flow Meter with Telemetry: For monitoring abstraction in real time.
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Recycled/Treated Water Usage: Industries must use treated wastewater wherever possible to reduce groundwater dependency.
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Environmental Clearance: Required for projects under EIA Notification (2006), if applicable.
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Water Use Efficiency: Must provide a detailed water use plan showing optimized consumption.
4. Required Documents
Eligibility is validated through proper documentation, including:
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Project Report with water requirement
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Land ownership proof or lease documents
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Groundwater availability report (from authorized hydrogeologist)
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Rainwater harvesting layout
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Existing borewell/tube well details (if any)
Key CGWA Guidelines for Groundwater Extraction
Here are some crucial CGWA rules you need to abide by:
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Mandatory installation of digital water meters with telemetry for industrial users
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Rainwater harvesting structures are compulsory for project areas over a certain size
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Water audits and regular compliance reporting
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Use of treated wastewater where feasible
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Groundwater extraction is prohibited in over-exploited zones unless for drinking purposes
The most recent CGWA recommendations should always be consulted, since they are subject to periodic revisions in response to groundwater availability and consumption trends.
How Corpseed Can Help
Navigating the CGWA portal, preparing technical documentation, and ensuring guideline compliance can be overwhelming—especially for first-time applicants. Corpseed ITES Pvt. Ltd. offers end-to-end assistance for:
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Preparing and uploading technical documents
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Online application submission on CGWA portal
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Regular follow-up with the authority
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Site inspection readiness
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Final NOC download and renewal services
With a team of legal, environmental, and regulatory experts, Corpseed ensures a smooth and timely approval process so that your business stays compliant and operational.
Final Thoughts
Getting a CGWA NOC for water boring and tube wells is no longer optional—it’s a legal and environmental necessity. With groundwater levels depleting fast, following Central Ground Water Authority norms helps ensure sustainable use and long-term availability.
Whether you’re starting a new industry or expanding infrastructure, make sure you begin with the right permits in place. And if you need help navigating the process, Corpseed is ready to take the stress out of compliance.