The Karnataka Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Act, 2011 regulates the sustainable use and management of groundwater resources. To strengthen its framework, the Karnataka Amendment Act, 2025 (Act No. 63 of 2025) has been enacted and notified in the Gazette on September 12, 2025, after receiving the Governor’s assent on September 11, 2025

The Amendment introduces the following key provisions:

• Section 3 (Authority composition): Updates key designations including Secretary (Minor Irrigation & Groundwater Development) as Chairperson, Director of Groundwater Directorate as Member Secretary, and inclusion of Chief Engineers from relevant departments.
• Section 11 (Permit for groundwater use): Now covers both notified and non-notified areas. Certain categories (domestic consumers, agriculture, rural water supply, armed forces, small industries, and housing societies within limits) are exempt from permits. Private water tanker operators must obtain No Objection Certificates (NOC).
• Section 17: Authority empowered to issue/adopt Central Ground Water Authority guidelines, constitute committees and sub-committees for regulation and expert advice.
• Section 18: Enables levy of charges for groundwater extraction by industries, commercial users, mining projects, infrastructure projects, and bulk suppliers.
• Section 32 (Penalties): Enhanced penalties including up to ₹50,000 for false or non-furnishing of information, with continuing penalties up to ₹1,000 per day. Extraction without valid NOC attracts penalties as per Government notification, aligned with Central Ground Water Authority guidelines.