CA-20260924-6020High Exam Priority
Supreme Court hears Tamil Nadu plea claiming 20 TMC Cauvery water deficit as Karnataka cites drought
24 September 2026
4 min read
The Supreme Court is reviewing a petition by Tamil Nadu alleging a 20 TMC deficit in Cauvery river water supply, while Karnataka argues it faces severe drought conditions. Both states acknowledged before a Bench led by Justice Vikram Nath that the water-sharing issue remains highly sensitive.
Key Highlights
- Tamil Nadu approached the Supreme Court claiming a shortage of 20 thousand million cubic (TMC) feet of Cauvery water from Karnataka.
- Karnataka defended its position by stating that multiple districts are facing severe drought and it has complied with water-sharing responsibilities as an upper riparian state.
- A Supreme Court Bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath directed Karnataka to file its formal response within a week.
- The next hearing for this inter-state water dispute has been scheduled by the apex court for October 12.
Exam Quick Facts
Nodal Ministry / Dept
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Key Bodies
Supreme Court of India, Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA)
Constitutional & Legal Context
Article 262 of the Indian Constitution provides for the adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers or river valleys, enabling Parliament to enact laws like the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956.
Static GK Connection
The Cauvery river originates at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri range of the Western Ghats in Karnataka and flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.