Irrigation is critical to Indian agriculture, which accounts for 80% of the country’s freshwater consumption. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, about 52% of India’s net sown area is irrigated, but inefficiencies in the system have hampered agricultural productivity. 

Major challenges faced by Indian irrigation system in recent times:

• Groundwater exploitation: According to CGWA, India extracts nearly 25% of global groundwater annually. Punjab and Haryana groundwater tables deplete by 33% in the last two decades.
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• Inefficient Water Use: Due to electricity subsidies and Traditional methods like flood irrigation, still used in 85% of irrigated areas.
• Poor Infrastructure: Canal systems, which cover around 40% of irrigated land, suffer from leakages and evaporation losses, leading to about 30-40% wastage (Central Water Commission).
• Unequal Distribution: Punjab, with 98% irrigation coverage, contrasts with underdeveloped infrastructure in eastern and southern states. (NITI Aayog).
• Low Adoption of Modern Techniques: As per ICAR, only 6% of India’s irrigated land uses drip or sprinkler systems, mainly due to high initial costs and lack of awareness.

Measures taken by the government for efficient irrigation management:

1. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): to promote sustainable agriculture practices, enhance water use efficiency, and encourage adoption of new irrigation technologies.
2. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY): aims to improve irrigation coverage, enhance water efficiency, and promote modern irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler systems.
3. Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM): Improves irrigation efficiency by repairing and upgrading canal systems  across 17 million hectares (CWC).
4. Atal Bhujal Yojana: With a budget of ₹6,000 crores, this scheme focuses on sustainable groundwater management in stressed regions, aiming to reduce over-extraction in 78 districts.
5. Jal Shakti Abhiyan: A water conservation campaign targeting 256 water-stressed districts, focusing on rainwater harvesting and recharging groundwater (NITI Aayog).

State Led initiatives:

1. Mission Kakatiya(Telangana)-for rejuvenation of tanks and micro-irrigation sources.
2. Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan(Maharashtra)-promotes water conservation and management by constructing farm ponds, percolation tanks, and check dams.
3. Krishi Bhagya(Karnataka)-promotes the adoption of micro-irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, etc.

Therefore, as recommended by the Ashok Dalwai Panel, a substantial investment in modern irrigation infrastructure, including drip and sprinkler systems, and the need to revisit water pricing policies to increase water-use efficiency and agricultural productivity.