YSR Jala Kala Scheme 2026: Closed, No New Free Borewell Applications

AP YSR Jala Kala Scheme 2026 was launched by the Andhra Pradesh government on 28 September 2020. Under this scheme, the state government dug free boreholes for farmers. This article explains the free borewell scheme, its registration process, application status check, benefits and other details. Former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the Jagananna Jalakala Scheme online through video conferencing from his camp office. The Andhra Pradesh government set aside Rs. 2,340 crore to run the YSR Jalakalha Scheme.

Scheme has been closed or it was a one time scheme which has been closed by the government.

Latest Update: This Scheme has been closed and now farmers are not being provided any benefits under the scheme. No online or offline applications are being invited for this scheme.

YSR Jala Kala Scheme 2026 Apply Online

India is an agrarian country, and farmers depend mainly on groundwater for irrigation. With a growing population, smaller land holdings and more urbanization, deeper boreholes are dug for groundwater. However, farmers cannot use borewell benefits because the cost of installation is high.

So the Andhra Pradesh government decided to provide free borewells to farmers under the AP YSR Jala Kala Scheme. A farmer or a group of farmers with a land holding of 2.5 to 5 acres can apply for the scheme online or through the village secretariats.

How to Fill YSR Jala Kala Scheme Application / Registration Form

Below is the process to fill the AP YSR Jala Kala Scheme application / registration form 2026:-

STEP 1 - The official website at ysrjalakala.ap.gov.in was used to apply for the scheme. This portal is no longer active because the scheme has been closed.

STEP 2 - On the homepage of the AP YSR Jala Kala Scheme, click on the "Apply for Borewell" link present in the main menu as shown here:-

STEP 3 - After clicking the link, a new window asking for the Aadhaar number, OTP and Submit button would open as shown below:-

STEP 4 - After entering the Aadhaar number, validate the OTP and click on the "Submit" button to open the YSR Jalakala Scheme free borewell online application form.

After approval from the state government's concerned authorities, the applicant would get a free borewell.

Revised Guidelines for YSR Jalakala Scheme

Only one farmer family was eligible to apply for a free borewell under the YSR Jala Kala scheme. Some applications were received for 3 or 4 adjacent borewells in the same area in the name of different members of the same family. However, the Walta Act stipulates that there must be a distance of at least 200 meters between one bore and another. To solve this problem, the officials of the Rural Development Department sent a report to the government asking for amendments to the eligibility rules of the scheme.

So the government made changes and additions in the eligibility rules. The Andhra Pradesh government issued orders to this effect. As per the amended provision, if a member of a family was granted a free bore in the scheme, another member of the family would be disqualified from applying for the scheme. Here are the revised guidelines of the AP YSR Jalakala Scheme 2026:-

• Government employees and retired employees were not eligible for this scheme.
• Farmers applying for a free borewell under the YSR Jala Kala Scheme should have at least two and a half acres of land. Otherwise they could apply as a group with the surrounding farmers.
• To drill another bore there, another hydrogeological survey had to be done.
• The second borewell had to be dug under the supervision of MPDO, DWAMA APD.
• A new provision was also brought in which the quality control department must inspect at least 10% of the free borewells laid under the YSR Jalakala scheme.

Benefits of Free Borewell Scheme in Andhra Pradesh

Here are some of the major benefits of the Free Borewell Scheme in Andhra Pradesh state:-

• 2 lakh borewells would be dug free for farmers.
• AP Free Borewell Scheme would provide irrigation water to 5 lakh acres.
• Around 3 lakh farmers would be benefited.

Implementation of AP YSR Jalakala Scheme 2026

The boreholes would be dug wherever underground water resources were found. The experts would conduct a survey at the fields through hydrogeological and geographical survey and identify the location where boreholes should be dug. Permission for digging boreholes should be given after the completion of the process. This AP YSR Jalakala Scheme was meant to make sure proper supply of water for irrigation and help in raising the income of farmers.

Geo-tagging of AP YSR Jala Kala Scheme

Every borehole dug under the AP YSR Jala Kala Scheme 2026 would be geo tagged. Constructions for water harvesting would also be taken up to keep up the recharge of underground water resources. The digging of boreholes would be done scientifically to protect the environment. The scientific measures would make sure that underground water resources should not be depleted.

Jala Kala - Free Borewells was aimed at using the available groundwater resources for the improvement of the livelihoods of farmers and thereby improve the GSDP under the primary sector.

Track Application Status of AP YSR Jala Kala Yojana

Below is the process to track the AP YSR Jala Kala Scheme application status:-

STEP 1 - The official website at ysrjalakala.ap.gov.in was used to check the status. This portal is no longer active because the scheme has been closed.

STEP 2 - On the homepage of the AP YSR Jala Kala Scheme, enter the application number in the main menu as shown here:-

STEP 3 - After entering the application number, hit the "Track" button to check the status of the AP YSR Jala Kala Scheme.

Salient Features of YSR Jala Kala Scheme

The important features and highlights of the AP YSR Jala Kala Scheme 2026:-

1. Under the YSR Jala Kala programme of Navaratnalu, the government decided to drill free borewells for needy and eligible farmers in all thirteen (13) districts of the state to irrigate every acre of arable land.
2. The borewell sites would be identified scientifically by conducting ground water surveys before taking up the drilling.
3. Any farmer without an existing borewell and with a contiguous land of 2.5 acres was eligible. If the farmer did not have contiguous land of 2.5 acres, a group could be formed and apply for a free borewell.
4. Priority was given to small and marginal farmers and SC / ST / Women farmers.
5. Farmers could apply for a free borewell online or offline through the village secretariat, and the VRO would verify and forward the application to the concerned APD / MPDO.
6. The assigned drilling contractor would conduct a ground water survey by engaging a qualified geologist and submit the feasibility report to the concerned APD / MPDO for generating the estimate.
7. PD would take administrative approval from the District Collector / JC, Aasara and entrust the work to the drilling contractor.
8. Information about the sanction of borewells would be sent to the applicants at each stage through SMS.
9. The digital photograph with geo-tag would be taken by the concerned authorities along with the beneficiary in the presence of the drilling contractor after completing the borewell drilling.
10. The depth of the borewell drilled and the depth of casing would be measured with advanced IoT enabled equipment, reducing human involvement.
11. Payment to drilling contractors would be made as per the predefined success rates of districts.
12. If a borewell failed, a second borewell would be drilled if feasible.
13. Construction of a recharge pit / water harvesting structure would be taken up at successful borewell sites.
14. Social Audit would be conducted for all the borewells drilled under this programme.
15. A programme management unit (PMU) would be set up at headquarters for effective monitoring of the implementation of the programme.
16. Roles and responsibilities of various functionaries for the implementation of the programme were defined and included in the GO.
17. District Collectors would guide and direct all the stakeholders for effective implementation of the programme.

YSR Jala Kala Helpdesk

In case of any query, applicants could contact the helpline number at 9121296053 or send an e-mail to ysrjalakala.crd@gmail.com