The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released its annual report on river water quality, revealing that the number of polluted river stretches across India has declined from 815 in 2022 to 807 in 2023. This reduction of 8 stretches signals a gradual improvement in India's river health, largely attributed to the ongoing Namami Gange Programme and various state-level river rejuvenation initiatives.
The CPCB monitors river water quality using parameters such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), and Total Coliform. A stretch is classified as polluted when BOD exceeds 3 mg/L. The 2023 report assessed 603 river stretches across 28 states and 4 union territories.
Among the most critical findings, Priority-1 stretches — those with severe pollution requiring immediate action — have declined from 311 to a lower count, indicating focused remediation efforts. The Ganga basin continues to show improvement with key stretches meeting water quality norms following investments under Namami Gange, which has a total outlay exceeding ₹37,000 crore.
The report is significant for the RPSC RAS examination as it reflects India's environmental governance, water policy, and the effectiveness of centrally sponsored schemes. Rivers such as the Yamuna, Gomti, and Sabarmati still figure among the most polluted, underscoring that much work remains. The data informs policy decisions on industrial discharge, sewage treatment plant (STP) capacity, and agricultural runoff management.