Q1. Which of the following best describes the primary reason for the high dependency on irrigation in Indian agriculture?
Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects: RAS Prelims MCQs
74 RAS Prelims MCQs on irrigation in India cover the sources and types of irrigation, the major projects and the river water disputes. Traditional rainwater harvesting structures, canal irrigation and its problems, the Indira Gandhi Canal, Bhakra Nangal, the Narmada tribunal and the Krishna disputes are asked as facts, matches and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 74 questions
Q2. Among the various sources of irrigation in India, which source accounts for the highest net irrigated area?
Explanation
Ground water resources, utilized through tube wells and traditional wells, constitute the largest share of net irrigated area in India. This dominance is attributed to their widespread availability, decentralized nature, and the flexibility they offer to individual farmers. They currently surpass surface canals and tanks as the primary source for meeting agricultural water requirements on a nationwide scale.
Q3. In the context of micro-irrigation, which of the following is an accurate definition of fertigation?
Explanation
Fertigation is an advanced agricultural technique where liquid or water-soluble fertilizers are injected into the irrigation system. This method allows for the precise delivery of nutrients directly to the plant’s root zone. It improves nutrient use efficiency, reduces fertilizer wastage, and minimizes environmental contamination compared to traditional broadcasting methods used in conventional farming and traditional soil management.
Q4. Read the following statements and select the correct option:
Assertion (A): Tank irrigation is highly prevalent and successful in the Peninsular region of India.
Reason (R): The undulating relief and hard rock terrain of Peninsular India form natural depressions and make digging canals and wells difficult.
Assertion (A): Tank irrigation is highly prevalent and successful in the Peninsular region of India.
Reason (R): The undulating relief and hard rock terrain of Peninsular India form natural depressions and make digging canals and wells difficult.
Explanation
The hard rock geology and undulating topography of the Peninsular plateau facilitate the natural collection of rainwater in depressions, making tank irrigation highly suitable. These physical conditions simultaneously make the construction of canals and the digging of wells extremely difficult and expensive. Therefore, traditional tanks remain the most effective and prevalent irrigation method in this specific geographical region.
Q5. Which of the following regions in India represents the largest contiguous area under canal irrigation?
Explanation
The Indo-Gangetic Plains feature the largest contiguous area under canal irrigation due to the presence of perennial Himalayan rivers. The flat terrain and soft alluvial soil facilitate the easy construction of extensive canal networks. These factors, combined with high agricultural demand, have led to the development of some of the world’s most massive and integrated irrigation systems.
Q6. Read the following statements regarding drip irrigation:
I. It significantly reduces water loss through evaporation and deep percolation.
II. It is highly suitable for closely sown crops like wheat and rice.
III. It minimizes weed growth as water is applied directly to the root zone.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It significantly reduces water loss through evaporation and deep percolation.
II. It is highly suitable for closely sown crops like wheat and rice.
III. It minimizes weed growth as water is applied directly to the root zone.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Drip irrigation systems deliver water precisely to the root zone, which significantly minimizes losses from evaporation and deep percolation. By keeping the non-crop areas dry, this method effectively restricts the growth of weeds. However, it is primarily designed for wide-spaced horticultural crops rather than closely sown field crops like rice or wheat, which usually require flooding.
Q7. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Irrigation Method | Region |
|---|---|
| A. Tank Irrigation | i. Western Rajasthan |
| B. Tube well Irrigation | ii. Punjab and Haryana plains |
| C. Khadin | iii. Historical floodplains of Punjab (Pre-independence) |
| D. Inundation Canals | iv. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh |
Explanation
Tank irrigation is the traditional mainstay in the hard-rock terrains of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Tube wells are extensively utilized in the fertile alluvial plains of Punjab and Haryana. Khadins represent a unique rainwater harvesting practice in Western Rajasthan. Historically, inundation canals were common in the pre-independence floodplains of Punjab before the development of perennial systems.
Q8. What is the most significant disadvantage associated with unlined surface canal irrigation in semi-arid tracts?
Explanation
In semi-arid regions, unlined surface canals often lead to significant seepage of water into the surrounding soil. This process causes the water table to rise, eventually reaching the root zone and creating waterlogged conditions. The subsequent evaporation of this water leaves behind harmful salts at the surface, leading to secondary salinization and long-term degradation of agricultural productivity.
Q9. The Bhakra Nangal Project is a joint venture of which of the following groups of states?
Explanation
The Bhakra Nangal Project is one of India’s earliest and most significant multipurpose river valley schemes. It was developed as a collaborative effort between the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. This massive engineering undertaking utilizes the waters of the Sutlej River to provide essential irrigation and hydroelectric power, supporting the agricultural and industrial growth of these participating states.
Q10. Read the following statements regarding the Hirakud Dam project:
I. It is built across the Mahanadi river in the state of Odisha.
II. It is one of the longest earthen dams in the world.
III. It was solely designed for hydroelectric power generation with no irrigation component.
IV. The project significantly mitigates flood situations in the Mahanadi delta.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. It is built across the Mahanadi river in the state of Odisha.
II. It is one of the longest earthen dams in the world.
III. It was solely designed for hydroelectric power generation with no irrigation component.
IV. The project significantly mitigates flood situations in the Mahanadi delta.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Hirakud Dam is a prominent multipurpose project located on the Mahanadi River in Odisha. It is globally recognized as one of the longest earthen dams. While it generates significant hydroelectric power and provides flood control for the delta region, it was also specifically designed with a major irrigation component. Stating that it lacks an irrigation purpose is factually incorrect.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Erratic and spatially uneven distribution of seasonal monsoon rainfall |
| 2 | (a) Tube well and well irrigation systems |
| 3 | (c) The application of soluble fertilizers directly to crops through irrigation water |
| 4 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 5 | (c) The Indo-Gangetic Plains |
| 6 | (c) I and III only |
| 7 | (a) A-iv, B-ii, C-i, D-iii |
| 8 | (c) Severe soil waterlogging and induced secondary salinization |
| 9 | (a) Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan |
| 10 | (b) III only |
Key facts from Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
- Wells and tube wells account for the highest net irrigated area; the largest contiguous canal-irrigated area is the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
- Johad is the structure of Rajasthan, Surangam of Kerala, Zing of Ladakh and Eri of Tamil Nadu.
- The Indira Gandhi Canal is the longest canal system in India and has lift canals; dune stabilisation by afforestation is part of its command area development.
- The reservoir behind the Bhakra Dam is Gobind Sagar; the Tehri Dam, the tallest in India, is in Uttarakhand.
- Interstate water disputes are dealt with under Article 262 and the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act; the Krishna dispute involves Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
- Unlined canals cause waterlogging and secondary salinisation; saline soils are reclaimed with gypsum and leaching.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects?
This page has 74 practice MCQs on Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects (Indian Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which source irrigates the largest area in India?
Tube wells and wells, which account for the highest net irrigated area. They are common in the Indo-Gangetic plains, which have deep, readily recharged alluvial aquifers, and wells are also widely used in the peninsular plateau.
Which Article deals with interstate water disputes?
Article 262 of the Constitution. It lets Parliament make a law to settle disputes over the waters of interstate rivers, and the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act of 1956 sets up the tribunals.
Which is the tallest dam in India?
The Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand, on the Bhagirathi river. It is a multipurpose project for irrigation and hydropower and is one of the tallest dams in the world.