SPECIAL IRRIGATION SUPPORT TO DROUGHT-PRONE AREAS

1. At a Glance

• PMKSY-AIBP carves out a preferential funding and eligibility regime to fast-track Major/Medium Irrigation (MMI) and Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) projects whose command areas fall in drought-prone regions [1][2].
• Out of 99 prioritised MMI projects under AIBP, 59 (≈60%) serve drought-prone tracts, including 7 in Andhra Pradesh [1].
• Examinable for GS-III (agriculture/irrigation), GS-II (centrally sponsored schemes, federalism) and prelims (scheme architecture, funding ratios).

2. Why in the News

• PIB release dated 09 March 2026 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti reiterated the special criteria, funding ratio and project pipeline for drought-prone irrigation under PMKSY 2021-26 [1].

3. Background & Evolution

• PMKSY launched 2015-16 with motto "Har Khet Ko Pani" and goal of "Per Drop More Crop"; aims to expand assured irrigation, raise on-farm water-use efficiency and promote sustainable conservation [1].
• 2016-17: 99 ongoing MMI projects (+7 phases) bundled under the AIBP component for time-bound completion [1].
• 2021-26: Cabinet-approved continuation; relaxed criteria + enhanced central share specifically for drought-prone projects [2].
• Precursor AIBP itself dates to 1996-97, originally to expedite stalled Plan irrigation projects [2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Parent scheme: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) [1].
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources, RD & GR) [1]. (Note: PMKSY is umbrella — Watershed component is with Dept. of Land Resources/Rural Development; PDMC is with Agriculture).
• Key components relevant here:
• AIBP — MMI project completion.

• HKKP (Har Khet Ko Pani) — includes Surface Minor Irrigation, Repair-Renovation-Restoration of water bodies, CADWM [2].

• MMI pipeline: 99 projects + 7 phases; 59 benefit drought-prone areas; 7 in Andhra Pradesh drought tracts [1].

• SMI pipeline (2021-26): 14 clusters / 1731 SMI projects; 3 clusters / 214 schemes benefit drought-prone regions [2].
• Irrigation Potential target 2021-26: 13.88 lakh ha; CAD works 30.23 lakh ha [2].
• Funding ratio for drought-prone projects (general states): enhanced from 25:75 to 60:40 (Centre:State) [1][2].
• DPAP/Tribal Area ongoing schemes: Central Assistance @ 60% [3].
• Eligibility relaxation: 50% physical progress norm waived if >50% command lies in drought-prone area [1][2].
• SMI eligibility (Non-special states): individual SMI of CCA ≥20 ha, or cluster within 5 km radius with total CCA ≥50 ha, in tribal/drought/desert/LWE areas [3].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

• Economic
• Targets 44 lakh ha of additional irrigation + CAD coverage, raising cropping intensity and farm incomes in rain-fed belts [2].

• Enhanced 60:40 ratio eases fiscal burden on drought-stressed states (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, AP) [1].

• Environmental

• Embeds water conservation and water-use efficiency as PMKSY pillars; SMI + tanks/water-body restoration aid groundwater recharge [1].

• Targets water-scarce agro-climatic zones, aligning with climate-resilient agriculture.

• Administrative / Federal

• States propose projects; Centre funds via NABARD-administered Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF); convergence across Jal Shakti, Agriculture and Rural Development ministries [1].

• Relaxed entry criteria show flexible CSS design for differentiated regional needs.

• Social / Equity

• SMI clusters specifically extend benefit to tribal, desert and LWE-affected areas alongside drought zones [3].
• Andhra Pradesh's drought tracts (Rayalaseema) get earmarked project support [1].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 09 March 2026 — PIB release on Special Irrigation Support to Drought-Prone Areas reiterating 59/99 projects and AP focus [1].
• 2021-26 PMKSY continuation — fresh outlay with revised drought funding ratio operationalised; 14 SMI clusters cleared [2].

7. Prelims Hooks

• PMKSY launched in 2015-16 [1].
• AIBP integrated into PMKSY in 2016-17 with 99 MMI projects + 7 phases [1].
• 59 of these 99 projects serve drought-prone areas; 7 in Andhra Pradesh [1].
• Funding pattern for drought-prone projects in general states: 60:40 (Centre:State), up from 25:75 [1].
• DPAP / Tribal Area ongoing schemes: 60% Central Assistance [3].
• Physical progress threshold of 50% for AIBP inclusion is waived if >50% command is drought-prone [1].
• HKKP 2021-26: 14 SMI clusters / 1731 schemes; 3 clusters / 214 schemes in drought areas [2].
• Targets 2021-26: 13.88 lakh ha irrigation potential + 30.23 lakh ha CAD [2].
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti [1].
• SMI cluster eligibility: cluster within 5 km radius, total CCA ≥50 ha [3].
• PMKSY mottos: Har Khet Ko Pani and Per Drop More Crop [1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III — Major crops, cropping patterns; irrigation systems; issues of land reforms; e-technology in aid of farmers; also Government Budgeting and water-resource management.
• GS-II — Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors; centrally sponsored schemes and Centre-State financial relations.
• Probable stems: 1. "Differential central assistance is a more effective instrument than uniform funding for irrigation expansion in drought-prone India." Critically examine in light of PMKSY-AIBP. 2. Discuss how PMKSY operationalises 'Har Khet Ko Pani' and 'Per Drop More Crop' in drought-prone regions. 3. Evaluate the convergence challenges in implementing PMKSY across multiple ministries.

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Atal Bhujal Yojana — groundwater-recharge complement to surface irrigation.
• Jal Jeevan Mission / Jal Shakti Abhiyan — sister Jal Shakti programmes.
• Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF), NABARD — financing channel for AIBP.
• Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) — downstream of MMI projects.
• Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) & Desert Development Programme (DDP) — predecessors to IWMP/PMKSY-WDC.
• Micro-irrigation (PMKSY-PDMC) & Per Drop More Crop — under Ministry of Agriculture.
• National Water Policy 2012 — strategic backdrop.
• Rayalaseema drought management / Polavaram project — for AP-specific context.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• PMKSY's nodal ministry is Jal Shakti, but PDMC (Per Drop More Crop) sits under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Watershed Development under Ministry of Rural Development — don't lump all components under one ministry.
• The enhanced 60:40 ratio applies to general-category states' drought-prone projects; North-Eastern/Himalayan states have a different (90:10) special category pattern — don't conflate.
• 99 MMI projects were identified in 2016-17, not at PMKSY's 2015-16 launch.
• AIBP is a PMKSY component, not a standalone scheme launched in 2015 — it originated in 1996-97.
• Don't confuse DPAP (an older area-development programme, now subsumed under Watershed/IWMP) with the drought-prone criterion under AIBP.