The Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA) is a strategic initiative by the ANRF designed to foster mission-oriented, solution-based research in critical priority sectors. The MAHA Water Programme was specifically established to address the complex challenges of sustainable water management in India through interdisciplinary research. This initiative aligns with broader government goals of water security, climate resilience, and the implementation of circular economy principles in the water sector. The programme's launch was formally acknowledged in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary.