Irrigation and Water Management

Q1.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: In any given agricultural year, the Gross Cropped Area (GCA) in India is always greater than or equal to the Net Sown Area (NSA). Statement-II: The practice of multiple cropping, where a piece of land is sown more than once in a year, is captured by the Gross Cropped Area but not by the Net Sown Area. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q2.Consider the following statements regarding irrigation and crops in India: 1. Among all foodgrains, wheat commands the highest percentage of Gross Irrigated Area. 2. Sugarcane has a lower water requirement in millimeters as compared to rice. 3. The share of canal irrigation in the Net Irrigated Area has shown an increasing trend in the 21st century. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q3.With reference to the classification of irrigation projects in India, consider the following statements: 1. A project is classified as a major irrigation project if its Culturable Command Area (CCA) is between 2,000 and 10,000 hectares. 2. Minor irrigation projects typically comprise infrastructure such as canals and dams. 3. Dug wells and tube wells are components of minor irrigation projects. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q4.Consider the following statements regarding canal irrigation in India: 1. Inundation canals are designed to maintain a flow of water throughout the year, regulated by weirs. 2. Perennial canals are primarily seasonal, draining flood water during the rainy season, and are mainly found in the Sutlej-Ganga valley. 3. While canal irrigation can enhance soil fertility by depositing river sediments, it can also lead to soil salinity, a problem referred to as 'Reh'. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q5.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: A dedicated Micro-Irrigation Fund has been established in India to promote water-use efficiency and enhance crop productivity. Statement-II: This fund is managed by the Ministry of Finance, which provides direct grants to farmers to purchase micro-irrigation equipment. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q6.With reference to the 6th Census of Minor Irrigation (MI) Schemes, consider the following statements: 1. Uttar Pradesh is the leading state in the total number of Minor Irrigation schemes. 2. Maharashtra is the leading state in the number of Surface Water schemes. 3. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of Dugwell schemes in India. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q7.Based on the findings of the first-ever Water Bodies Census conducted by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, consider the following statements: 1. Tanks constitute the largest share of enumerated water bodies in India, followed by ponds. 2. West Bengal has the highest number of both Ponds and Reservoirs among all states. 3. In the overall ranking of states by the total number of water bodies, Uttar Pradesh is ranked first. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q8.Consider the following statements regarding water management in India: 1. The 6th Minor Irrigation Census report indicates that both the Irrigation Potential Created (IPC) and Irrigation Potential Utilised (IPU) from MI schemes have increased compared to the 5th census. 2. Groundwater schemes, such as tubewells and dugwells, constitute over 90% of the total Minor Irrigation schemes in India. 3. The National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM) is directly implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to facilitate sustainable groundwater management. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q9.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Delays in the implementation of irrigation projects are often exacerbated by differences in opinions and priorities among various States. Statement-II: Under the Indian Constitution, irrigation is a State subject, which can lead to challenges in coordinating and implementing projects that span across state boundaries. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q10.Consider the following statements regarding irrigation in India: 1. The gap between Irrigation Potential Created (IPC) and Irrigation Potential Utilised (IPU) is an indicator of the under-utilisation of established irrigation infrastructure. 2. A declining water table, primarily caused by groundwater over-exploitation, necessitates the convergence of irrigation methods with water harvesting structures to enhance aquifer recharge. 3. As per the Economic Survey 2024-25, India's percentage of irrigated area under micro-irrigation is higher than that of China. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q11.Consider the following statements regarding water management institutions in India: 1. The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) was established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to regulate and control groundwater resources. 2. The National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM) is an initiative implemented by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). 3. The Central Water Commission (CWC) was established based on a recommendation by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q12.Examine the following two statements: Statement-I: The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is empowered to issue regulatory directions for the development and management of groundwater resources in the country. Statement-II: The CGWA was constituted as a statutory body under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q13.Consider the following statements: 1. The National Water Development Agency (NWDA) was set up as a multi-disciplinary scientific organisation under the Ministry of Water Resources. 2. The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) was set up as an Autonomous Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. 3. The National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) was set up to provide a standardised national GIS format and scalable web-enabled information system. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q14.Consider the following statements regarding the principal components of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY): 1. The 'Per Drop More Crop' component, focusing on water use efficiency, is implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. 2. The 'Watershed Development' component, focusing on rainwater conservation, is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development. 3. The 'Har Khet Ko Paani' component, focusing on increasing water access, is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q15.Consider the following statements regarding the funding of government initiatives: 1. The Atal Bhujal Yojana, a Central Sector Scheme, is funded entirely by the Government of India. 2. The Neeranchal National Watershed Project was launched with 100% financial assistance from the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA). 3. Under the 'Per Drop More Crop' component of PMKSY, the funding for Union Territories is shared between the Centre and the UT administration in a 90:10 ratio. How many of the above statements are incorrect?

Q16.Consider the following two statements: Statement-I: The Ministry of Jal Shakti is the nodal ministry for the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY). Statement-II: All principal components of the PMKSY are implemented by various departments under the sole authority of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q17.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Buldhana Pattern is a water conservation framework that synchronizes the desiltation and deepening of water bodies with the construction of infrastructure like highways. Statement-II: The NITI Aayog has mandated the nationwide implementation of the Buldhana Pattern for all highway and railway construction projects in drought-prone regions. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q18.Consider the following statements regarding modern approaches and technologies in water management: 1. The Bhuvan App, developed by ISRO, is enabled to provide information on the Water Use Efficiency (WUE) of various micro-irrigation projects. 2. The India-EU Water Partnership (IEWP) is an outcome of the 'Joint Declaration on Water' and focuses exclusively on the 'Clean Ganga' programme. 3. Root Zone Irrigation is a method considered more effective than surface drip irrigation, particularly for soils that have lost moisture at a depth of 39 inches. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q19.With reference to sustainable agricultural practices for rice cultivation, consider the following statements: 1. The Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) technique primarily aims to reduce water consumption and labour requirements compared to traditional transplantation. 2. DSR is most suitable for light-textured sandy soils due to their excellent drainage properties. 3. The promotion of micro-irrigation and DSR is a key component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) to enhance water use efficiency. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Q20.With reference to the development and regulation of Inland Water Transport (IWT) in India, consider the following statements: 1. The criteria for declaring a waterway as a National Waterway include a minimum channel width of 45 meters and a minimum depth of 1.5 meters. 2. Under the existing legislative framework, all navigable rivers, canals, and backwaters are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). 3. The total number of designated National Waterways was increased from a small number to over one hundred through a single legislative action. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Q21.Consider the following statements regarding the framework for managing critical minerals in India: 1. The National Critical Mineral Mission is coordinated by an Empowered Committee chaired by the Union Minister of Mines. 2. The mission's objective is exclusively focused on securing critical minerals from domestic exploration and mining activities. 3. For minerals listed as 'critical' under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, the authority to auction mining leases is exclusively vested with the respective State Governments. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Q22.With reference to the structuring of major centrally sponsored schemes in Indian agriculture, consider the following statements: 1. The 'Per Drop More Crop' (PDMC) component, primarily focused on micro-irrigation, is implemented as a part of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). 2. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) as an umbrella scheme has been discontinued, with all its components being merged into other schemes. 3. While the 'Per Drop More Crop' component is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, other key components of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) are implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. How many of the above statements are correct?