What happened
The 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026 ended on 25 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil chaired the closing ceremony. The event ran from 22 to 25 September on the theme 'Climate Resilient Water Management'.
IIWW 2026 drew 7,224 delegates, 227 exhibitors and 119 paper presentations, with two partner countries and 14 partner States/UTs. Patil listed three main takeaways: people's participation in water conservation, taking science and technology to the ground, and stronger international and institutional cooperation. Eight capacity-building modules under the Jal Jeevan Mission were released for Gram Panchayat representatives, Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC) members and Sujalam Shakti Groups.
Background
The 2nd India International WASH Conference was held alongside the Water Week. It was organised by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) with the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee National Institute of Water and Sanitation (SPM-NIWAS), Kolkata. An India-Africa Roundtable on WASH brought in envoys from 22 African countries. The recommendations covered seven thematic areas, including participatory water governance and safe reuse of treated wastewater.
Why it matters for exams
Water security, the Jal Jeevan Mission and international water events are common in UPSC GS-I/III, state PSCs and SSC GA. The theme, venue, edition number and ministry are standard MCQ facts.
Key facts for exams
- Edition/theme: 9th IIWW, 'Climate Resilient Water Management' (22–25 Sep 2026)
- Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Ministry: Jal Shakti; Minister C.R. Patil; MoS V. Somanna
- Jal Jeevan Mission: launched in 2019 for household tap water connections
- Jal Shakti Ministry was formed in 2019 by merging the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation
- SPM-NIWAS: Kolkata
Practice MCQs
What was the theme of the 9th India International Water Week 2026?
(A) Water for All
(B) Climate Resilient Water Management
(C) Jal Hai To Kal Hai
(D) Water Cooperation for PeaceAnswer: (B) – The PIB release gives the theme as 'Climate Resilient Water Management'.
Where was IIWW 2026 held?
(A) Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
(B) Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
(C) Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar
(D) Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, KolkataAnswer: (B) – It was held at Bharat Mandapam from 22–25 September.
The 2nd India International WASH Conference was held with which institute?
(A) NIUA, New Delhi
(B) SPM-NIWAS, Kolkata
(C) NIH, Roorkee
(D) CGWB, FaridabadAnswer: (B) DDWS organised it with SPM-NIWAS, Kolkata.