Water Conservation

1. Consider the following statements : Statement-1: According to the Uni

Consider the following statements :

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Statement-1: According to the United Nations ‘World Water Development Report, 2022’. India extracts more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal each year.

Statement-II : India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world’s population living in its territory.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

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Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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Statement-I is correct regarding India’s significant groundwater extraction as highlighted by the UN report. However, Statement-II is incorrect because the primary reason for India’s high groundwater withdrawal is for irrigation, not solely for drinking water and sanitation needs.
– Statement I is correct: Reports like the UN World Water Development Report 2022 consistently identify India as the largest user of groundwater globally, accounting for roughly a quarter of the world’s total withdrawal.
– Statement II is incorrect: While satisfying the needs of a large population for drinking water and sanitation is important, the overwhelming majority (estimated at 80-90%) of groundwater extraction in India is for agricultural irrigation to grow food crops. The withdrawal for drinking water and sanitation, though critical, constitutes a much smaller portion of the total.
Unsustainable groundwater extraction, driven primarily by agricultural needs and facilitated by subsidized electricity and water pumps, is a major environmental challenge in India, leading to declining water tables and water stress in many regions. Addressing this requires reforms in agricultural water use practices, pricing, and management.

2. With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider t

With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements :

  • 1. None of them uses seawater.
  • 2. None of them is set up in water-stressed district.
  • 3. None of them is privately owned.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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Only one
Only two
All three
None
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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The correct answer is D) None.
Let’s examine each statement:
1. None of them uses seawater: This is incorrect. Coastal thermal power plants like the Mundra plant in Gujarat or the Ennore plant in Tamil Nadu use seawater for cooling.
2. None of them is set up in water-stressed district: This is incorrect. Many thermal power plants are located in regions facing water scarcity, leading to significant environmental and social concerns regarding their water consumption.
3. None of them is privately owned: This is incorrect. India has a significant number of privately owned coal-based thermal power plants, operated by companies like Tata Power, Adani Power, Reliance Power, etc., alongside plants owned by public sector undertakings like NTPC.
Since all three statements are incorrect, none of them are correct.
The water usage of thermal power plants, especially in water-stressed areas, is a major environmental issue in India. Many regulatory efforts are being made to improve water use efficiency in these plants. The Indian power sector is a mix of public and private ownership.

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3. Consider the following statements : 36% of India’s districts are cl

Consider the following statements :

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  • 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or “critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
  • CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.
  • India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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1 only
2 and 3 only
2 only
1 and 3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2020
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Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act, and India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation globally. Statement 1, regarding 36% of districts being classified as overexploited or critical, is likely an incorrect generalization or based on a misleading interpretation, as CGWA classifies assessment units (blocks, talukas, etc.) rather than entire districts in this manner.
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Central Ground Water Authority assesses groundwater conditions at the level of ‘assessment units’ (blocks, talukas, mandals, watersheds), not typically whole districts. While a significant percentage of assessment units are classified as overexploited or critical (e.g., around 17% overexploited and 5% critical as per 2020 data), it’s inaccurate to state that 36% of *districts* are classified as such.
Statement 2 is correct. The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was constituted by the Government of India under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Statement 3 is correct. India is the world’s largest user of groundwater, primarily for agricultural irrigation. It has the largest area irrigated by groundwater sources globally.
CGWA is tasked with the regulation and control of groundwater development and management in the country. The excessive reliance on groundwater for irrigation and other uses has led to significant depletion of water tables in many parts of India. The assessment of groundwater resources and categorization into safe, semi-critical, critical, and over-exploited blocks is done periodically by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and State Groundwater Departments.

4. Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agr

Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agriculture ?

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  • 1. Reduced or zero tillage of the land
  • 2. Applying gypsum before irrigating the field
  • 3. Allowing crop residue to remain in the field

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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1 and 2 only
3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2017
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The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3. All three listed practices contribute to water conservation in agriculture.
– Reduced or zero tillage: Minimizes soil disturbance, which helps to retain soil moisture, reduce evaporation, and prevent soil erosion.
– Applying gypsum before irrigating the field: Gypsum improves soil structure, especially in problematic soils (like saline or alkaline), leading to better water infiltration and drainage, and reduced surface runoff and waterlogging, thereby making water use more efficient.
– Allowing crop residue to remain in the field: Crop residue acts as mulch, covering the soil surface. This reduces evaporation, helps moderate soil temperature, suppresses weeds, and improves soil organic matter over time, all of which enhance the soil’s ability to absorb and retain water.
These practices are components of sustainable agriculture and conservation farming, aiming to improve soil health, reduce input costs (like water and energy for irrigation), and enhance environmental sustainability while maintaining or improving yields. They are particularly relevant in regions facing water scarcity.

5. Which of the following are the key features of National Ganga River Ba

Which of the following are the key features of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)?

  • 1. River basin is the unit of planning and management.
  • 2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
  • 3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
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Statements 1 and 2 are correct features of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), while Statement 3 is incorrect.
– NGRBA was constituted in 2009 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
– It adopted the river basin as the unit for planning and management of the Ganga, recognizing the river and its tributaries as a single system (Statement 1).
– It was envisioned as an empowered planning, financing, monitoring, and coordinating authority for the Ganga River, spearheading conservation efforts at the national level (Statement 2).
– The Prime Minister of India was the ex-officio Chairman of the NGRBA. The Chief Ministers of the states through which the Ganga flows (Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal) were members, along with relevant Union Ministers and experts, but they did not hold the Chairman position on a rotation basis (Statement 3 is incorrect).
– NGRBA was dissolved in 2016 and replaced by the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (National Ganga Council), which is also chaired by the Prime Minister.

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6. What are the benefits of imple- menting the ‘Integrated Watershed Deve

What are the benefits of imple- menting the ‘Integrated Watershed Development Programme’?

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  • 1. Prevention of soil runoff
  • 2. Linking the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers
  • 3. Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table
  • 4. Regeneration of natural vegetation

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 only
2, 3 and 4 only
1, 3 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2014
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The Integrated Watershed Development Programme aims at holistic development of rainfed areas based on watershed approach. Its core objectives include soil and water conservation, promotion of vegetation cover, judicious use of water resources, and improving livelihoods through enhanced agricultural and allied activities.
Statement 1 is correct: Prevention of soil runoff is a primary objective achieved through techniques like contour bunding, terracing, and afforestation within the watershed.
Statement 3 is correct: Rainwater harvesting (e.g., check dams, farm ponds) and recharging the groundwater table (e.g., percolation tanks) are crucial components of watershed development to improve water availability.
Statement 4 is correct: Regeneration of natural vegetation (tree plantation, grassland development) is essential for soil conservation, improving water infiltration, and biodiversity enhancement within the watershed.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Linking the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers is a massive infrastructure project under the National River Linking Project, which is distinct from the decentralized, area-based approach of watershed development.
– Watershed development focuses on managing land and water resources within a defined geographical area (watershed).
– Key goals include soil conservation, water harvesting, groundwater recharge, increasing vegetative cover, and improving agricultural productivity.
– It does not involve large-scale inter-basin transfer of water like river linking projects.
The Integrated Watershed Development Programme (IWDP) was launched in India to address issues of land degradation and water scarcity, particularly in rainfed areas. It employs a participatory approach involving local communities in planning and implementation. It was subsumed under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) in 2015-16, specifically under the ‘Watershed Development’ component (PMKSY-WDC).

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7. Scientists at CSIR-NCL Pune, with support from the Water Technology In

Scientists at CSIR-NCL Pune, with support from the Water Technology Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, have recently developed a novel hybrid technology to bring safe and healthy drinking water. What is the name of the hybrid technology?

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SafeWater
SWASTIIK
Arsiron Nilogon
Fluoride Nilogon
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2021
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The novel hybrid technology developed by scientists at CSIR-NCL Pune, with support from DST, to provide safe and healthy drinking water is named SWASTIIK.
SWASTIIK stands for ‘Safe Water and Sustainable Technology Initiative from Indian Knowledgebase’. This technology aims to remove multiple contaminants simultaneously from water, including microbial and chemical impurities.
The technology uses a combination of traditional Indian knowledge and modern science. It focuses on decentralized water purification systems suitable for rural and remote areas where access to safe drinking water is challenging.

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8. Which one of the following is NOT a cause of depletion in groundwater

Which one of the following is NOT a cause of depletion in groundwater ?

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Afforestation
Loss of forests
Excessive pumping of ground-water
Construction of large scale concrete buildings
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2020
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The correct answer is (A) Afforestation.
Afforestation is the establishment of a forest or stand of trees in an area where there was no previous tree cover. Trees and forests help in the conservation of groundwater by increasing infiltration and percolation of rainwater into the ground and reducing surface runoff and evaporation. Therefore, afforestation helps in groundwater recharge, not depletion.
Loss of forests, excessive pumping of groundwater, and the construction of large-scale concrete buildings are all causes of groundwater depletion. Loss of forests reduces the ability of land to absorb water. Excessive pumping directly extracts water at a rate faster than it can be recharged. Concrete surfaces prevent rainwater from percolating into the ground, increasing runoff and reducing recharge.

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9. Which of the following statements about ‘Rehydrating the Earth’ is/are

Which of the following statements about ‘Rehydrating the Earth’ is/are correct ?

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  • 1. It is a global campaign for raising consciousness about the water crisis.
  • 2. It is an impact-driven campaign that highlights achievements at key global events such as COP28.
  • 3. It is a campaign undertaken by a philanthropic organization ‘Football for Peace’.
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
2 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2024
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Statement 1 is correct. ‘Rehydrating the Earth’ is indeed a concept or campaign aimed at addressing the global water crisis by focusing on restoring natural water cycles through landscape restoration and regeneration. This inherently involves raising consciousness about the issue and potential solutions. Statement 2 is also correct. The movement/concept is impact-driven, focusing on tangible ecological restoration outcomes. Discussions and commitments related to land and water restoration are highly relevant to global environmental forums like COP28, where these issues were prominent. Statement 3 is incorrect. While various organizations and initiatives contribute to the goal of rehydrating the Earth, the campaign is not specifically undertaken by a philanthropic organization named ‘Football for Peace’. It is a broader concept involving multiple stakeholders and organizations, including environmental groups, research institutions, and international bodies.
‘Rehydrating the Earth’ is an environmental concept focusing on restoring natural water cycles and ecosystems through landscape regeneration, directly linked to addressing the water crisis and climate change. It is a subject of discussion and action at major global environmental conferences.
Restoring degraded landscapes and improving soil health are key methods in rehydrating the Earth, as healthy soil and vegetation can retain water more effectively, recharge groundwater, and improve water quality. This approach contrasts with purely engineering-based solutions to water scarcity. Global initiatives like the Bonn Challenge and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration promote activities that contribute to rehydrating the Earth.

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10. Which one of the following is the common term to describe the main sou

Which one of the following is the common term to describe the main source of water for human withdrawals?

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Green water
Hard water
Blue water
Storm water
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2020
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The correct answer is Blue water.
In hydrology, water resources are often categorized. Green water refers to precipitation that infiltrates the soil and is available for plants. Blue water refers to the surface water (in rivers, lakes, reservoirs) and groundwater stored in aquifers. This blue water is the main source that is withdrawn by humans for various uses, including irrigation, industrial processes, and domestic consumption (drinking, sanitation).
Hard water describes water with high mineral content, particularly calcium and magnesium. Storm water is runoff from precipitation. Neither of these terms represents the general main source category for human withdrawals in the way “blue water” does.

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