Q11. The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was established primarily on the model of which renowned international river valley project?
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 11–20 of 74 questions
Q12. Identify the correct sequence of the following major dams based on their geographical location from North to South:
Explanation
Geographically, the Bhakra Nangal Dam on the Sutlej in Himachal Pradesh is the northernmost. Moving south, the Tehri Dam is located in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. Further south, the Sardar Sarovar Dam is situated on the Narmada River in Gujarat. Finally, the Nagarjunasagar Dam on the Krishna River lies in the southern part of the Indian peninsula.
Q13. Which of the following is the primary river on which the Nagarjunasagar Dam is constructed?
Explanation
The Nagarjunasagar Dam is a massive masonry structure built across the Krishna River. It is situated on the border between the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. As one of the earliest multipurpose projects in southern India, it plays a vital role in providing irrigation to several districts and generating substantial hydroelectric power for the regional electrical grid.
Q14. Read the following statements regarding the Sardar Sarovar Project:
I. It is built on the Narmada River in Gujarat.
II. It provides irrigation and power benefits to Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
III. The Narmada Bachao Andolan strongly supported the raising of the dam’s height.
IV. It is the largest dam in the Narmada Valley Project in terms of volume of concrete used.
V. The project involves a network of canals that reaches the drought-prone areas of Kutch and Saurashtra.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is built on the Narmada River in Gujarat.
II. It provides irrigation and power benefits to Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
III. The Narmada Bachao Andolan strongly supported the raising of the dam’s height.
IV. It is the largest dam in the Narmada Valley Project in terms of volume of concrete used.
V. The project involves a network of canals that reaches the drought-prone areas of Kutch and Saurashtra.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Sardar Sarovar Project is a major terminal dam on the Narmada River, benefiting Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. It utilizes a massive volume of concrete and serves drought-prone areas like Kutch. However, the Narmada Bachao Andolan was a prominent social movement that strongly opposed the project, specifically protesting against the raising of the dam’s height.
Q15. Which of the following states are the principal partners in the Tungabhadra multipurpose project?
Explanation
The Tungabhadra multipurpose project is a joint venture primarily between the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It involves a dam constructed across the Tungabhadra River, which is a major tributary of the Krishna. The project was designed to provide irrigation, generate hydroelectric power, and assist in flood control for the semi-arid regions within both participating states.
Q16. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Major Dam/Project | Associated River |
|---|---|
| A. Tehri Dam | i. Sutlej |
| B. Sardar Sarovar | ii. Mahanadi |
| C. Bhakra Nangal | iii. Bhagirathi |
| D. Hirakud | iv. Narmada |
Explanation
The Tehri Dam is built on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand. The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a major project on the Narmada River in Gujarat. The Bhakra Nangal Dam is situated on the Sutlej River in the northern part of India. The Hirakud Dam is a massive earthen structure constructed across the Mahanadi River in Odisha.
Q17. The Tehri Dam is recognized as the tallest dam in India. In which state is it located?
Explanation
The Tehri Dam is the tallest dam in India and one of the highest in the world. It is located on the Bhagirathi River in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. This multi-purpose rock and earth-fill embankment dam is vital for hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and providing municipal water supply to several regions, including the national capital.
Q18. Which prominent environmental issue is specifically recognized as an exception to the direct agricultural benefits provided by large canal systems like the Indira Gandhi Canal?
Explanation
While the Indira Gandhi Canal has revolutionized agriculture in the Thar Desert, it has also led to significant environmental challenges. The introduction of intensive irrigation in areas with poor natural drainage and high evaporation rates has caused the water table to rise. This results in widespread waterlogging and secondary soil salinization, which negatively affects the long-term fertility of the land.
Q19. Read the following historical stages of the Indira Gandhi Canal project:
A. Construction of the Rajasthan Feeder
B. Formation of the Rajasthan Canal Board
C. Completion of Harike Barrage
D. Renaming of Rajasthan Canal to Indira Gandhi Canal
Which of the following represents the correct chronological order of these stages?
A. Construction of the Rajasthan Feeder
B. Formation of the Rajasthan Canal Board
C. Completion of Harike Barrage
D. Renaming of Rajasthan Canal to Indira Gandhi Canal
Which of the following represents the correct chronological order of these stages?
Explanation
The historical development of the project began with the completion of the Harike Barrage in 1953. This was followed by the formation of the Rajasthan Canal Board in 1958 to oversee construction. The Rajasthan Feeder was then built to transport water. Finally, in 1984, the Rajasthan Canal was officially renamed the Indira Gandhi Canal to honor the former Prime Minister.
Q20. Interstate water disputes in India are primarily adjudicated under the Interstate River Water Disputes Act. Under which Article of the Constitution of India was this Act enacted?
Explanation
Article 262 of the Indian Constitution empowers Parliament to provide for the adjudication of disputes relating to the use, distribution, or control of the waters of any interstate river or river valley. Under this specific constitutional provision, the Interstate River Water Disputes Act of 1956 was enacted, which allows for the establishment of tribunals to resolve such conflicts.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (b) Tennessee Valley Authority project based in the USA |
| 12 | (a) Bhakra Nangal, Tehri, Sardar Sarovar, Nagarjunasagar |
| 13 | (d) Krishna |
| 14 | (a) I, II, IV and V only |
| 15 | (b) Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh |
| 16 | (a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 17 | (c) Uttarakhand |
| 18 | (d) Large scale waterlogging and secondary salinization |
| 19 | (a) C, B, A, D |
| 20 | (a) Article 262 |
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.