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 21–30 of 74 questions
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q21. Read the following statements and select the correct option: Assertion (A): The Cauvery river water dispute is one of the most persistent interstate conflicts in India. Reason (R): The Cauvery basin is an international river basin shared between India and Sri Lanka.
Explanation
The Cauvery river water dispute is indeed one of the most long-standing and intense interstate conflicts in India, primarily involving Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. However, the Cauvery is entirely an internal river of India and does not form an international basin with Sri Lanka. Therefore, while the assertion regarding the conflict’s persistence is true, the reason provided is factually incorrect.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q22. Which of the following states are the primary parties involved in the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal?
Explanation
The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal was established to resolve the long-standing conflict regarding the sharing of Krishna River waters. The primary parties involved in this dispute are the riparian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Later, after the reorganization of the state, Telangana also became a significant stakeholder in the ongoing legal proceedings and water allocation negotiations.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q23. Read the following statements regarding groundwater depletion in India: I. The north-western states of Punjab and Haryana exhibit severe groundwater over-exploitation. II. Free or highly subsidized electricity for agricultural pumps has accelerated the rate of depletion. III. The continuous depletion of groundwater does not alter the concentration of natural contaminants like arsenic and fluoride. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Groundwater over-exploitation is severe in states like Punjab and Haryana, often fueled by subsidized electricity. Contrary to the incorrect claim, continuous depletion actually alters the concentration of natural contaminants. As water levels drop, the remaining water can interact more with mineral deposits, often increasing the concentration of harmful substances like arsenic and fluoride, thereby deteriorating the overall water quality.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q24. Which of the following identifies the correct concept of ‘Conjunctive use of water’ in the context of irrigation efficiency?
Explanation
Conjunctive use of water refers to the strategic and coordinated management of both surface water and groundwater resources. By integrating these two sources, irrigation efficiency is maximized while the negative impacts of relying on a single source, such as waterlogging or aquifer depletion, are minimized. This balanced approach ensures a more reliable and sustainable water supply for agricultural and other needs.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q25. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
Traditional Rainwater Harvesting Structure
State
A. Johad
i. Tamil Nadu
B. Surangam
ii. Ladakh
C. Zing
iii. Kerala
D. Eri
iv. Rajasthan
Explanation
Johad is the rainwater harvesting structure of Rajasthan, Surangam of Kerala, Zing of Ladakh and Eri of Tamil Nadu. This gives A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q26. Which of the following is considered the most appropriate remedial measure for reclaiming soils that have developed severe salinity due to excessive canal irrigation?
Explanation
Soils made saline by excessive canal irrigation are reclaimed by adding gypsum as an amendment and then leaching the salts out with adequate water.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q27. Read the following statements regarding the Indira Gandhi Canal project: I. It is the longest canal system in India. II. The main canal passes exclusively through the districts of Hanumangarh and Bikaner. III. It features several lift canals on its left bank to supply water to higher elevations. IV. It is completely unaffected by the problems of shifting sand dunes. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Indira Gandhi Canal is the longest canal system in India and has lift canals to carry water to higher land. It passes through more districts than Hanumangarh and Bikaner and is affected by shifting sand dunes, so II and IV are wrong.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q28. In the context of irrigation types, which characteristic is critical for the success of tube well irrigation in the Indo-Gangetic plains?
Explanation
Tube wells work well in the Indo-Gangetic plains because they have unconsolidated sedimentary aquifers that are readily recharged. Hard igneous rock near the surface would not give a good yield.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q29. Which of the following best explains why sprinkler irrigation is considered highly suitable for areas with undulating topography?
Explanation
Sprinkler irrigation suits undulating land because it needs no levelling of the land before water is applied. Water is sprayed like rain over the area.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Irrigation: Types, Sources and Major Projects
Q30. Which of the following districts of Rajasthan does NOT fall under the direct command area of the main Indira Gandhi Canal or its major lift branches?
Explanation
Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Churu lie in the Indira Gandhi Canal command. Dungarpur in the south of Rajasthan does not, so it is the exception.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
21
(c) A is true but R is false.
22
(c) The states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh
23
(b) III only
24
(d) Planned use of surface and groundwater to maximize resource efficiency
25
(a) A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i
26
(d) Using gypsum soil amendments followed by adequate leaching
27
(a) I and III only
28
(b) Unconsolidated sedimentary aquifers with high groundwater recharge potential
29
(b) Eliminating the need for any land leveling operations before applying water
30
(a) Dungarpur
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.
