What is CGWA?

Groundwater is a shared national resource, and its responsible use is governed at both the central and state levels across India. In Assam, every industry or infrastructure project that draws from underground water sources must first obtain CGWA NOC in Assam before commencing operations. The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was constituted in January 1997 under sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act 1986, as directed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. Its primary mandate is to regulate, control, and manage groundwater development across the country — including all regions under its jurisdiction such as Assam.

CGWA currently operates across 20 States and Union Territories where no state-level groundwater authority exists or where the state has not enacted its own dedicated legislation. Assam is one of these states. This means that groundwater permission Assam for commercial or industrial purposes must be obtained directly from CGWA or its designated regional offices. In states that have their own Acts (14 States/UTs), the respective State Groundwater Authorities (SGWAs) handle NOC issuance.

For project developers, industries, and infrastructure planners operating in Assam, understanding the CGWA guidelines Assam is the first step toward legal compliance and smooth project execution. Ignoring these rules can lead to environmental compensation orders, penalties under the Environment Protection Act, and even project shutdowns. Getting a valid CGWA NOC in Assam is not just a formality — it is your legal protection.

The Powers of CGWA (Central Ground Water Authority)

The CGWA is not merely an administrative body — it is a statutory authority with significant legal teeth. Its powers under the Environment Protection Act 1986 make it one of the most important regulators for any project involving water extraction permission India. Understanding these powers helps applicants appreciate why compliance with CGWA NOC in Assam is non-negotiable.

The Authority has been conferred with the following powers and functions:

• Exercise of powers under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for issuing directions and taking such measures in respect of all matters referred to in sub-section (2) of section 3 of the said Act.
• To resort to penal provisions contained in sections 15 to 21 of the said Act — including the ability to impose fines and initiate prosecution against violators.
• To regulate and control, management and development of ground water in the country and to issue necessary regulatory directions for the purpose.
• Exercise of powers under section 4 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for the appointment of officers.

In practical terms, this means that a project found to be extracting groundwater without a valid borewell NOC Assam can face prosecution, forced closure, and financial penalties. The legal framework is robust, and enforcement has intensified in recent years as groundwater stress in India continues to increase. Every entity in Assam must ensure their CGWA NOC in Assam is current and valid.

CGWA NOC For Water Boring & Tube Well

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) functions as a statutory body under Section 3 of the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986, specifically tasked with regulating groundwater abstraction, usage, and monitoring across India. For any entity planning to dig a borewell or tube well for commercial, industrial, or infrastructure purposes in Assam, obtaining a CGWA NOC in Assam is the legal gateway to that activity.

The authority has issued revised guidelines periodically to keep pace with changing groundwater conditions, population growth, and industrial demand. The most recent major update came through the CGWA New Guidelines 2020, which tightened the eligibility criteria and introduced mandatory compliance requirements for all NOC holders. These CGWA guidelines Assam are as binding as they are anywhere else in India where CGWA has jurisdiction.

One of the most critical steps before applying for a borewell NOC Assam is conducting a proper site assessment. At Bhoojal Survey, we specialize in hydrogeological surveys using SSRMPATS Instrument, GER DETECT, and PQWT at site for open well / borewell location — ensuring that the borewell is placed at the most productive and geologically appropriate location, which strengthens your CGWA NOC in Assam application and reduces the risk of borewell failure.

CGWA regulates ground water development and management. Industries and infrastructure projects in Assam must obtain NOC for ground water extraction for industries, infrastructure projects, and mining projects. Necessary conditions for implementation by the proponent are laid down in the NOC issued by CGWA. Skipping this step exposes your project to serious legal and financial risk. Contact us for end-to-end support for your CGWA NOC in Assam.

What is NOC from CGWA?

A No Objection Certificate from the Central Ground Water Authority is a formal legal permission to abstract underground water from borewells and open wells. In Assam, obtaining a CGWA NOC in Assam is a legal prerequisite for any new or ongoing groundwater usage in industrial, infrastructure, or mining projects. Without this document, your groundwater extraction activity is classified as illegal under the Environment Protection Act 1986.

As per CGWA New Guidelines 2020, all new and existing industries, infrastructure projects and mining projects abstracting groundwater will be required to obtain NOC from CGWA. This applies uniformly across all regions where CGWA has jurisdiction — including Assam. Even if you have been operating without an NOC for years, the 2020 guidelines require regularization. The groundwater permission Assam mandate is not new, but enforcement has significantly increased.

The entire process of obtaining a CGWA NOC in Assam is carried out online through the NOCAP web portal, making it accessible but still procedurally demanding. Bhoojal Survey provides expert consultancy services to assist clients in Assam with complete documentation, hydrogeological surveys, and end-to-end application processing for groundwater permission Assam as per CGWA guidelines.

CGWA NOC Certificate

How to obtain NOC from CGWA?

The CGWA NOC in Assam can be obtained through the NOCAP portal. The process is entirely online, but it requires careful preparation of documents and accurate data entry to avoid rejection or delays. Here is a step-by-step breakdown for getting your borewell NOC Assam:

• Check eligibility criteria — Verify whether your project type and location (assessment unit category) qualifies for an NOC under CGWA guidelines. Over-Exploited areas have stricter eligibility rules.
• Create profile on NOCAP portal — Register your organization on the official NOCAP portal at cgwa-noc.gov.in with valid entity details.
• Enter project details and upload relevant documents — This includes site details, water requirement calculations, hydrogeological reports, and compliance documents depending on your project category.
• Fresh NOC application fees is ₹10,000/- — Payment must be made online via Bharatkosh before submission. No application is accepted without complete payment.
• After successful submission, track your application — The NOCAP portal provides a tracking interface to monitor your CGWA NOC in Assam application status in real time.
• Application is verified by CGWA authority — Regional CGWA officers review your submission, site details, and documents. Deficiencies result in query notices that must be addressed promptly.
• Once application is accepted, NOC can be downloaded from the portal — The approved CGWA NOC in Assam is digitally issued and can be downloaded directly from your NOCAP account.

What are the charges for getting NOC from CGWA?

Understanding the fee structure is essential before initiating your borewell NOC Assam application. Fees are fixed by CGWA and must be paid online before the application is submitted:

• ₹10,000 — Application processing fee for Fresh NOC
• ₹5,000 — Application processing fee for Renewal of NOC

In addition to the application fee, applicants are also required to pay advance Ground Water Abstraction Charges based on the quantity of water proposed to be extracted and the category of the assessment unit (Safe, Semi-Critical, Critical, or Over-Exploited). Your CGWA NOC in Assam application will be accepted only after complete payment of the application fee, advance ground water charges, and any applicable penalty or arrears.

For industries that have installed artificial recharge structures and are in full compliance with their earlier NOC conditions, a 50% rebate on abstraction charges is available — making early compliance genuinely rewarding for CGWA NOC in Assam holders.

Who are exempted from Getting NOC from CGWA?

Not all water users are required to obtain groundwater permission Assam from CGWA. The following categories of consumers are explicitly exempt under CGWA guidelines:

• Individual domestic consumers in both rural and urban areas for drinking water and domestic uses.
• Rural drinking water supply schemes.
• Armed Forces Establishments and Central Armed Police Forces establishments in both rural and urban areas.
• Agricultural activities.

These exemptions apply in Assam as per the national guidelines by CGWA. However, any commercial, industrial, or infrastructure use generally falls outside these exemptions and requires a CGWA NOC in Assam. When in doubt, it is always safer to apply rather than assume you are exempt.

List of Documents required for getting NOC from CGWA

The document checklist varies depending on your project type and the volume of water you intend to extract. The general list for CGWA NOC in Assam application includes:

• Proposal for rain water harvesting / recharge within the premises as per Model Building Bye Laws issued by Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
• Completion certificate from the concerned agency for infrastructure projects requiring water for commercial use.
• Details of water requirement computed as per National Building Code.
• Water availability or non-availability affidavit.
• Certificate of non-availability of water from local government water supply agency in respect of all categories of assessment units for commercial use.
• In cases where dewatering is involved, submission of an impact assessment report is required.

To know more about NOC conditions, Click Here

What is the Validity period of NOC from CGWA?

The validity of a CGWA NOC in Assam depends on the category of the assessment unit in which your project is located and the type of water use. Projects in Over-Exploited areas have shorter validity periods.

Category	Use	Term of renewal
Over exploited	All users in 'Over-exploited areas'	2 years
Critical, Semi-critical and safe	Infrastructure projects for drinking & domestic use and urban Water Supply Agencies	5 years
	Industries	3 years
	Mines	2 years

What is categorization of assessment units by CGWA?

The Assessment Units are the Blocks/Mandals/Taluks/Firkas. In Assam, assessment units are defined similarly, and categorization directly impacts the CGWA NOC in Assam approval, fees, and renewal process. These units are the basic administrative and hydrological divisions for groundwater resources assessment under CGWA guidelines Assam.

Assessment units are categorized into 4 areas:

• Safe area: Area categorized as SAFE from the ground water resources point of view, based on the latest ground water resources assessment carried out jointly by CGWB and State ground water organizations.
• Semi-critical area: Area categorized as SEMI-CRITICAL from the ground water resources point of view.
• Critical area: Area categorized as CRITICAL from the ground water resources point of view.
• Over-exploited area: Area categorized as OVER-EXPLOITED from the ground water resources point of view. Details available on the websites of NOCAP and CGWB.

To know more about Categorization, Click Here

What is Ground water abstraction / restoration charges?

Ground water abstraction charges are amounts to be paid by industries and infrastructure projects while applying for CGWA NOC in Assam. These charges are not a penalty — they are a regulatory tool designed to encourage responsible water use and fund conservation efforts. The higher the groundwater stress in your area and the more water you extract, the higher the charges.

All industries, mining projects, and infrastructure units drawing groundwater in safe, semi-critical, and critical assessment units will have to pay ground water abstraction charges based on quantum of extraction and assessment unit category as per CGWA guidelines. Existing industries that have installed artificial recharge structures in compliance with NOC conditions shall be eligible for a rebate of 50% in charges — this rebate also applies to compliant units in Assam seeking CGWA NOC in Assam.

To know more about Abstraction Charges, Click Here

What are general compliance conditions after getting NOC from CGWA?

After obtaining your CGWA NOC in Assam, the following general compliance conditions must be followed:

• Installation of digital water flow meter with telemetry on borewells.
• Calibration of flow meter on yearly basis from an authorized agency.
• Rainwater harvesting structure implementation within your premises.
• Construction of purpose-built observation wells (piezometers) for ground water level monitoring.
• Ground water quality test — annually, from a NABL-accredited laboratory.

Non-compliance can lead to cancellation of the NOC and legal action. Bhoojal Survey provides consultancy services for full compliance management after CGWA NOC in Assam approval.

What is renewal of NOC from CGWA?

A No Objection Certificate awarded by the Central Ground Water Authority carries a defined validity period. Once this period expires, the NOC holder must apply for renewal before continuing groundwater abstraction. For CGWA NOC in Assam holders, timely renewal is essential to maintain legal compliance and avoid environmental compensation penalties.

Renewal of NOC is awarded on the basis of successful compliance with all the conditions mentioned in the original NOC. If you have not met compliance requirements — such as installing a digital flow meter, constructing piezometers, or conducting annual water quality tests — your renewal application may be delayed or denied. Bhoojal Survey provides consultancy services for renewal of NOC from CGWA.

What are the conditions for No objection certificate renewal?

• The applicant shall apply for renewal of CGWA NOC in Assam at least ninety days prior to expiry of its validity. Waiting until the last week before expiry is a common and costly mistake.
• Application for renewal of No Objection Certificate shall be accompanied by the Compliance Report, documenting adherence to all NOC conditions throughout the validity period.
• Before granting renewal, the Central Ground Water Authority shall satisfy itself that the conditions of the borewell NOC Assam have been complied with — including metering, water quality reports, and rainwater harvesting structures.

CGWA NOC Renewal Certificate

Validity period of NOC from CGWA

Category	Use	Term of renewal
Over exploited	All users in 'Over-exploited areas'	2 years
Critical, Semi-critical and safe	Infrastructure projects for drinking & domestic use and urban Water Supply Agencies	5 years
	Industries	3 years
	Mines	2 years

Documents required for renewal of NOC from CGWA

• Affidavit on compliance of NOC conditions for renewal cases.
• Self compliance report documenting all activities performed against NOC conditions.
• Impact assessment report (where applicable).
• Approval from wetland authority (for projects near wetland areas).
• Application fees receipt.
• Water non-availability certificate.

Industries and infrastructure projects in Assam applying for CGWA NOC in Assam renewal must submit these documents as per the guidelines. Incomplete submissions lead to unnecessary delays and potential penalty periods.

What is Environment compensation in NOC from CGWA?

Extraction of groundwater without a valid CGWA NOC in Assam is classified as illegal under Indian law. Such entities are liable to pay Environmental Compensation (EC) for the quantum of groundwater extracted during the unauthorized period. The financial burden of EC can be substantial — especially for industries that have been operating for years without regularization. Proactively obtaining or renewing your borewell NOC Assam is far less expensive than facing EC proceedings.

What is digital water flow meter with telemetry?

A digital water flow meter is a precision device used to measure the flow rate and total volume of water passing through a pipe. Under CGWA compliance requirements after obtaining your CGWA NOC in Assam, all NOC holders must install a tamper-proof digital water flow meter with a telemetry system on their borewells.

In Assam, installation of a digital water flow meter with telemetry is a mandatory CGWA compliance condition for all borewell NOC holders. The meter is connected at the delivery pipe of the borewell to determine real-time flow rate and total water abstracted. The telemetry system includes Data Management Software and a Data Collection Unit that posts data automatically — ensuring CGWA can access real-time groundwater withdrawal data remotely.

Mandatory Compliance conditions for CGWA NOC in Assam:

• Installation of tamper-proof digital water flow meter with telemetry on all abstraction structures shall be mandatory for all users seeking a CGWA NOC in Assam. Intimation regarding installation shall be communicated to the CGWA within 30 days of grant of NOC.
• Proponents shall mandatorily get the water flow meter calibrated from an authorized agency once a year.
• Construction of purpose-built observation wells (piezometers) for ground water level monitoring shall be mandatory. Water level data shall be made available to CGWA through the web portal. This applies to all CGWA NOC in Assam holders.
• Proponents shall monitor the quality of ground water from the abstraction structures once a year. Water samples shall be collected during April/May every year and analysed in NABL accredited laboratories for basic parameters (cations and anions), heavy metals, and pesticides/organic compounds. Water quality data shall be made available to CGWA through the web portal.
• In case of mining projects, additional key wells shall be established in consultation with the Regional Director, CGWB for ground water level monitoring four times a year (January, May, August, and November) in core as well as buffer zones of the mine.
• In case of a mining project, the firm shall submit a water quality report of mine discharge / seepage from a government-approved or NABL-accredited lab.
• The firm shall report compliance of the NOC conditions online at www.cgwa-noc.gov.in within one year from the date of issue of the NOC. This is a key obligation for all CGWA NOC in Assam holders.
• Industries abstracting ground water in excess of 100 m³/day shall undertake annual water audit through certified auditors and submit audit reports within three months of completion to CGWA. All such industries in Assam shall be required to reduce their ground water use by at least 20% over the next three years.
• Application for renewal can be submitted online from 90 days before the expiry of the CGWA NOC in Assam. Ground water withdrawal after expiry of NOC shall be illegal and liable for legal action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• This NOC is subject to prevailing Central/State Government rules, laws, norms, or Court orders related to tube well construction, groundwater abstraction, recharge or conservation structures, or discharge of effluents. In Assam, applicants must also comply with any state-specific groundwater abstraction laws in addition to CGWA guidelines Assam.

CGWA NOC Compliance

General conditions for CGWA NOC in Assam:

• No additional ground water abstraction and/or de-watering structures shall be constructed for this purpose without prior approval of CGWA.
• The proponent shall seek prior permission from CGWA for any increase in quantum of groundwater abstraction beyond what is permitted in the CGWA NOC in Assam for the specific period.
• Proponents shall install rooftop rainwater harvesting in the premises as per the existing building bye laws.
• The project proponent shall take all necessary measures to prevent contamination of ground water in the premises, failing which the firm shall be responsible for any consequences arising thereupon.
• In case of industries that are likely to contaminate the ground water, no recharge measures shall be taken up inside the plant premises. The runoff generated from the rooftop shall be stored and put to beneficial use.
• Wherever feasible, water requirement for greenbelt (horticulture) shall be met from recycled or treated waste water.
• Wherever the CGWA NOC in Assam is for abstraction of saline water and the existing well(s) is yielding fresh water, the same shall be sealed and a new tubewell tapping the saline water zone shall be constructed within 3 months of the issuance of the NOC.
• Unexpected variations in inflow of ground water into the mine pit, if any, shall be reported to the concerned Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.
• In case of violation of any NOC conditions, the applicant shall be liable to pay the penalties as per Section 16 of the Guidelines. Non-compliance of the conditions mentioned above is likely to result in the cancellation of CGWA NOC in Assam and legal action against the proponent.
• In case of change of ownership, the new owner will have to apply for incorporation of necessary changes in the borewell NOC Assam with documentary proof within 60 days of taking over possession of the premises.
• In case of new infrastructure projects having ground water abstraction of more than 20 m³/day, the firm/entity shall ensure implementation of a dual water supply system.
• Industries which are likely to cause ground water pollution — such as tanning, slaughter houses, dye, chemical/petrochemical, coal washeries, pharmaceutical, and other hazardous units as per the CPCB list — need to undertake necessary wellhead protection measures.

Frequently Asked Questions — CGWA NOC in Assam

Sample CGWA NOC in Assam — Certificate

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