Groundwater NOC in Uttar Pradesh (UPGWD): Complete 2026 Guide via Nivesh Mitra

Uttar Pradesh does not route groundwater permissions through the Central Ground Water Authority. The state has its own law — the Uttar Pradesh Ground Water (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019 — enforced by the UP Ground Water Department (UPGWD). So if you searched for "CGWA NOC in Noida" or "CGWA NOC Ghaziabad," the certificate you actually need is a UPGWD NOC, applied for through the department's own portal and the state's single-window Nivesh Mitra system.

This guide walks industries, developers and commercial establishments in Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Agra, Prayagraj and the rest of UP through the entire UPGWD NOC process.

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Why UPGWD and Not CGWA?

Under the UP Ground Water Act, 2019, the state created its own regulatory machinery for registering wells and licensing groundwater extraction. As a result CGWA does not issue groundwater NOCs in Uttar Pradesh. Commercial, industrial, infrastructure and bulk users apply to the UP Ground Water Department, whose services are delivered online via the department portal (upgwdonline.in) and, for enterprises, through the state's Nivesh Mitra single-window clearance system.

Who Needs a UPGWD NOC?

• Industries and factories across Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Moradabad and Aligarh
• Group housing, townships and commercial complexes in the NCR districts and state capital region
• Hotels, hospitals, educational institutions, malls and IT/ITeS parks
• Infrastructure and construction projects drawing groundwater
• Packaged water, bottling and food-processing units

UPGWD distinguishes commercial/industrial/infrastructural/bulk users (who need NOC and registration of wells) from exempt domestic and agricultural users.

Notified Areas: Over-Exploited Blocks & Stressed Urban Areas

The UP Act specifically regulates notified areas — Over-Exploited and Critical blocks plus stressed urban areas such as parts of the NCR. In these zones you must submit a recharge plan, and the department applies stricter conditions. An impact assessment with groundwater modelling is expected for Over-Exploited, Critical and Semi-Critical zones and for large-demand projects.

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How to Apply for a UPGWD NOC — Step by Step

Step 1 — Register the Enterprise on Nivesh Mitra

Entrepreneurs first register on the Nivesh Mitra single-window portal, create the "unit," and select the UP Ground Water Department services (registration of wells / NOC). Individual and domestic services are available on the department portal upgwdonline.in.

Step 2 — Prepare the Hydrogeological Report & Recharge Plan

Engage an accredited hydrogeologist to prepare the technical report; for notified/Over-Exploited areas, include a groundwater-recharge (rainwater harvesting) plan and, where required, an impact assessment with modelling.

Step 3 — Upload Documents and Submit

Attach the KYC, land, technical and consent documents and submit online. The concerned officials of the Ground Water Department verify and process the furnished details.

Step 4 — Departmental Verification

Applications are validated and, for notified areas, recommendations are made based on the block category. In Over-Exploited zones the department targets verification within a defined window and insists on recharge commitments.

Step 5 — Grant of NOC

On approval, the UPGWD NOC is issued, typically valid for a couple of years, after which renewal is required before expiry.

Documents Required for UPGWD NOC

• Entity KYC — PAN, GST, incorporation / registration and authorisation
• Land ownership or lease documents and a site plan with coordinates
• Hydrogeological report by an accredited professional
• Rainwater harvesting / recharge plan (mandatory in notified & Over-Exploited areas)
• Impact assessment with groundwater modelling for Over-Exploited / Critical / Semi-Critical and large-demand projects
• UP Pollution Control Board consent, where applicable
• Existing well / borewell details for renewals

Fees, Validity & Renewal

UPGWD levies registration and NOC fees that vary by user category and extraction volume, plus groundwater conservation/restoration charges in notified areas. Processing generally takes 45–90 days depending on the block category, and the NOC is usually valid for 2–3 years. File your renewal before expiry to keep extraction lawful; confirm the latest fee schedule on the UPGWD / Nivesh Mitra portal.

Operating in More Than One State?

UP's system is distinct from both the central portal and neighbouring states. If your group also runs units in CGWA states, use our Bhu-Neer application guide; for Haryana, see the HWRA guide. The complete CGWA NOC guide ties the national picture together.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is CGWA NOC applicable in Uttar Pradesh?

No. Uttar Pradesh regulates groundwater under its own UP Ground Water Act, 2019, and NOCs are issued by the UP Ground Water Department (UPGWD), not CGWA.

2. Which portal is used for a UPGWD NOC?

Enterprises apply through the Nivesh Mitra single-window portal, which routes the application to the UP Ground Water Department; department services are also available at upgwdonline.in.

3. Do industries in Noida and Ghaziabad need a groundwater NOC?

Yes. Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad fall in stressed/Over-Exploited NCR blocks, so industries, builders and commercial projects drawing groundwater must obtain a UPGWD NOC with a recharge plan.

4. How long does a UPGWD NOC take?

Generally 45 to 90 days depending on the groundwater classification and completeness of the application.

5. Is a recharge / rainwater harvesting plan mandatory?

Yes in notified and Over-Exploited areas, where the department requires a recharge plan and, for larger projects, an impact assessment with groundwater modelling.

Need a UPGWD NOC in Uttar Pradesh?

Bhoojal Survey prepares accredited hydrogeological reports and manages UPGWD / Nivesh Mitra submissions end-to-end for industries and developers in Noida, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow and across UP. Call +91-9691858058 or request a free eligibility check.