Q31. Which of the following statements about the Bhakra Nangal reservoir is factual?
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 31–40 of 74 questions
Q32. Read the following statements regarding the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal:
I. It was constituted under the Interstate River Water Disputes Act.
II. It adjudicated the dispute between Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
III. It restricted the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam permanently to 90 meters.
IV. It mandated proper rehabilitation and resettlement of project-affected families.
V. It allocated the maximum share of Narmada water to Madhya Pradesh.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. It was constituted under the Interstate River Water Disputes Act.
II. It adjudicated the dispute between Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
III. It restricted the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam permanently to 90 meters.
IV. It mandated proper rehabilitation and resettlement of project-affected families.
V. It allocated the maximum share of Narmada water to Madhya Pradesh.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal was set up under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, covered Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, provided for rehabilitation of affected families and gave Madhya Pradesh the largest share. It did not restrict the Sardar Sarovar Dam to 90 metres permanently, so only III is incorrect.
Q33. Which of the following statements about the Tungabhadra river is correct?
Explanation
The Tungabhadra River is formed by the confluence of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. It flows in a northeasterly direction across the Deccan Plateau. It is a significant right-bank tributary of the Krishna River, joining it in Andhra Pradesh. The river is essential for the agricultural economy of the semi-arid regions it traverses.
Q34. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Interstate Water Dispute | Rivers involved |
|---|---|
| A. Ravi and Beas Water Dispute | i. Andhra Pradesh and Odisha |
| B. Mahadayi Water Dispute | ii. Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan |
| C. Vamsadhara Water Dispute | iii. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha |
| D. Godavari Water Dispute | iv. Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra |
Explanation
The Ravi and Beas dispute involves Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan regarding surplus water sharing. The Mahadayi dispute is a conflict between Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. The Vamsadhara dispute involves Andhra Pradesh and Odisha over the construction of dams. The Godavari dispute includes several states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, reflecting the river’s extensive drainage basin.
Q35. Read the following statements and select the correct option:
Statement I: Over-exploitation of groundwater in coastal areas can lead to saline water intrusion into freshwater aquifers.
Statement II: The hydraulic gradient reverses when the water table falls below mean sea level, allowing seawater to move inland.
Statement I: Over-exploitation of groundwater in coastal areas can lead to saline water intrusion into freshwater aquifers.
Statement II: The hydraulic gradient reverses when the water table falls below mean sea level, allowing seawater to move inland.
Explanation
Over-exploitation of groundwater in coastal regions causes the water table to drop. If it falls below mean sea level, the natural hydraulic gradient that keeps freshwater flowing towards the sea is reversed. This allows saline seawater to migrate inland and infiltrate the freshwater aquifers. This process, known as saltwater intrusion, severely degrades the quality of local water resources for all uses.
Q36. The phenomenon of capillary action in poorly drained, heavily irrigated soils leads to which specific agricultural problem?
Explanation
In poorly drained areas with high irrigation levels, water can accumulate near the surface. As the surface water evaporates, capillary action draws more water and dissolved salts up from the lower soil layers. Once the water evaporates, these salts are left behind on the surface. Over time, this process leads to significant soil salinization, which inhibits plant growth and land quality.
Q37. In the context of India’s major irrigation projects, identify the correct pair:
Explanation
The Tehri Dam is correctly identified as being located at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Bhilangna rivers in Uttarakhand. Other options are incorrect: the Damodar Valley Corporation regulates the Damodar basin, not the Mahanadi; the Sardar Sarovar is on the Narmada, not the Tapi; and the Hirakud Dam is on the Mahanadi River, not the Godavari River.
Q38. Which of the following components is primarily absent from the conventional scope of the Command Area Development programme?
Explanation
The Command Area Development programme focuses on the "on-farm" development aspects of irrigation. Its scope includes constructing field channels, land leveling, and promoting conjunctive water use to improve efficiency at the farm level. The construction of massive interstate gravity dams is a primary irrigation activity that takes place before the CAD programme begins and is generally handled by different departments.
Q39. Which of the following is an odd one out regarding the beneficiary states of the Indira Gandhi Canal project?
Explanation
The Indira Gandhi Canal project is a collaborative venture that primarily involves the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. These states share the water from the Ravi and Beas rivers diverted through the canal system. Madhya Pradesh, while a major state in Central India, is not a beneficiary of this specific canal project and does not receive any water from its network.
Q40. Read the following statements and select the correct option:
Assertion (A): Drip irrigation is highly promoted under the Per Drop More Crop component of the PMKSY.
Reason (R): Drip irrigation guarantees a higher rate of deep percolation, thereby efficiently recharging underground aquifers.
Assertion (A): Drip irrigation is highly promoted under the Per Drop More Crop component of the PMKSY.
Reason (R): Drip irrigation guarantees a higher rate of deep percolation, thereby efficiently recharging underground aquifers.
Explanation
Drip irrigation is indeed strongly promoted under the "Per Drop More Crop" component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana due to its high water-use efficiency. However, the reason provided is false; drip irrigation is designed to deliver water directly to the root zone and minimize deep percolation, rather than increasing it, as deep percolation represents a loss of water.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (c) The reservoir created behind the Bhakra dam is known as Gobind Sagar |
| 32 | (b) III only |
| 33 | (c) It serves as a major right-bank tributary of the Krishna river |
| 34 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 35 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I. |
| 36 | (a) Soil salinization |
| 37 | (c) Tehri Dam - Built at the confluence of Bhagirathi and Bhilangna rivers |
| 38 | (a) Construction of massive interstate gravity dams |
| 39 | (d) Madhya Pradesh |
| 40 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
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.