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Groundwater · Rajasthan · 2025

Dark zone areas in Rajasthan

27 of 33 districts in Rajasthan pumped out more groundwater than was recharged in 2025 (over-exploited, the "dark zone"). 2 more were critical and 0 semi-critical. Across the state, 147% of the extractable groundwater was used.

Groundwater in RajasthanRainwater harvesting rules

Over-exploited districts (27)

Stage of extraction above 100% in 2025.

  1. 1Jaisalmer322%
  2. 2Jodhpur255%
  3. 3Dausa233%
  4. 4Jhunjhunu228%
  5. 5Jaipur217%
  6. 6Sikar191%
  7. 7Nagaur187%
  8. 8Alwar182%
  9. 9Jalor178%
  10. 10Chittaurgarh162%
  11. 11Pali158%
  12. 12Bhilwara156%
  13. 13Sawai Madhopur152%
  14. 14Karauli149%
  15. 15Bikaner141%
  16. 16Ajmer138%
  17. 17Dhaulpur138%
  18. 18Baran135%
  19. 19Barmer135%
  20. 20Pratapgarh129%
  21. 21Churu129%
  22. 22Rajsamand121%
  23. 23Sirohi119%
  24. 24Bharatpur117%
  25. 25Kota111%
  26. 26Jhalawar106%
  27. 27Udaipur100%

Critical districts (2)

Stage of extraction 90–100% in 2025.

  1. 1Bundi96%
  2. 2Tonk91%

Getting worse fastest

Rise in stage of extraction since 2017, in percentage points.

  • Dausa: 176% in 2017 to 233% in 2025
  • Jodhpur: 219% in 2017 to 255% in 2025
  • Pali: 126% in 2017 to 158% in 2025
  • Jaisalmer: 293% in 2017 to 322% in 2025
  • Chittaurgarh: 139% in 2017 to 162% in 2025

What a dark zone means for you

Borewells go deeper every few years and some run dry in summer. New groundwater use for business needs a CGWA NOC with recharge conditions. The fix is to put rain back: at 700 mm of rain a year, a 100 m² house roof recharges about 60,000 litres.

Rainwater harvesting cost in JaisalmerBorewell rechargeRecharge pit calculator

Frequently asked questions

Which areas of Rajasthan are in the dark zone?

In CGWB's 2025 assessment, 27 of 33 districts in Rajasthan were over-exploited (dark zone): Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Dausa, Jhunjhunu, Jaipur, Sikar, Nagaur, Alwar, Jalor, Chittaurgarh, Pali, Bhilwara and 15 more.

Is Rajasthan's groundwater over-exploited overall?

The state pumped out 147% of its extractable groundwater in 2025, which CGWB classes as over-exploited.

Can I get a new borewell in a dark zone of Rajasthan?

Homes usually can, with local registration; some cities restrict new borewells. Industry, infrastructure, mining and commercial users need a Central Ground Water Authority NOC, which in over-exploited areas carries tighter limits and recharge conditions.

Source: CGWB Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment 2025, district figures. CGWB classifies blocks (assessment units); a district's figure is the average of its blocks, so a district shown here as safe can still contain over-exploited blocks.