Q51. Which of the following pairs concerning the Nagarjunasagar project is correctly matched?
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 51–60 of 74 questions
Q52. Read the following statements regarding tank irrigation:
I. It is largely dependent on the vagaries of the monsoon.
II. It requires massive capital investment comparable to major multi-purpose dams.
III. High evaporation loss is a significant drawback due to shallow depths.
IV. Siltation continuously reduces the storage capacity of tanks.
V. It is the dominant method of irrigation in the flat plains of Punjab.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. It is largely dependent on the vagaries of the monsoon.
II. It requires massive capital investment comparable to major multi-purpose dams.
III. High evaporation loss is a significant drawback due to shallow depths.
IV. Siltation continuously reduces the storage capacity of tanks.
V. It is the dominant method of irrigation in the flat plains of Punjab.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Tank irrigation is a traditional, low-capital method rather than a massive investment project like a large dam. It is highly dependent on monsoons and suffers from siltation and evaporation. Furthermore, it is characteristic of the hilly and rocky Peninsular region, not the flat alluvial plains of Punjab, where tube wells and canals are the dominant irrigation methods used by farmers.
Q53. Which of the following accurately describes the ‘dark zones’ in the context of groundwater utilization?
Explanation
In the terminology used by the Central Ground Water Board, ‘dark zones’ refer to specific geographical areas or administrative blocks where the groundwater exploitation level is extremely high. Specifically, these are regions where the annual extraction of groundwater for various purposes exceeds the amount of water that is naturally or artificially recharged back into the aquifer system each year without depletion.
Q54. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Dam/Project | Key Geographical Feature/Fact |
|---|---|
| A. Bhakra Dam | i. Longest earthen dam in India |
| B. Hirakud Dam | ii. Built on the Krishna river in a masonry structure |
| C. Sardar Sarovar Dam | iii. Highest straight gravity dam in India |
| D. Nagarjunasagar Dam | iv. Largest dam of the Narmada Valley Project |
Explanation
The Bhakra Dam is recognized as the highest straight gravity dam in India. The Hirakud Dam is the longest earthen dam in the country. The Sardar Sarovar Dam is the largest structure within the extensive Narmada Valley Project. The Nagarjunasagar Dam is a massive masonry structure built on the Krishna River, serving as a landmark project for the southern states.
Q55. Which of the following is NOT an objective listed under the National Water Policy?
Explanation
India’s National Water Policy focuses on equitable distribution, conservation, efficiency, and addressing climate change. While it may allow for private sector participation in specific service delivery components, it does not advocate for the complete privatization of surface river networks. Rivers are considered a public trust and a national resource that should be managed for the common good under government oversight.
Q56. The Rajasthan Feeder Canal, which carries water to the main Indira Gandhi Canal, has its longest traverse through which state before entering Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Rajasthan Feeder Canal is the initial segment of the Indira Gandhi Canal system. It starts at the Harike Barrage in Punjab and travels a significant distance through Punjab and Haryana before finally entering Rajasthan. The longest portion of this feeder canal lies within the state of Punjab, where it serves as a transit channel carrying water to the desert regions.
Q57. Read the following states and select the correct sequence representing their total area under tank irrigation in descending order:
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Rajasthan
D. Punjab
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Rajasthan
D. Punjab
Explanation
Tamil Nadu has the highest total area under tank irrigation due to its traditional dependence on these structures in a rain-shadow region. Andhra Pradesh follows as another major state with extensive tank networks. Rajasthan has a significant number of tanks, particularly in its southern and eastern parts. Punjab, dominated by canals and tube wells, has the least reliance on tank irrigation.
Q58. The ‘Warabandi’ system, prominently practiced in the canal command areas of north-western India, is best defined as:
Explanation
Warabandi is a traditional and highly organized water management system used in the canal command areas of states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. It involves a predetermined weekly rotation schedule where each farmer is allocated a specific time slot to draw water from the canal. This ensures that all farmers, including those at the tail end, receive their fair share.
Q59. Which multi-purpose river valley project was the first to be undertaken in independent India?
Explanation
The Damodar Valley Corporation, established on July 7, 1948, was the first multipurpose river valley project initiated in independent India. It was created to tackle the devastating floods caused by the Damodar River and to provide irrigation and power to the states of West Bengal and Bihar (now Jharkhand). Its success paved the way for many other large-scale river projects.
Q60. Read the following statements and select the correct option:
Assertion (A): The adoption of micro-irrigation systems is heavily subsidized by the government in arid regions.
Reason (R): Micro-irrigation systems completely eliminate the dependency of agriculture on groundwater aquifers.
Assertion (A): The adoption of micro-irrigation systems is heavily subsidized by the government in arid regions.
Reason (R): Micro-irrigation systems completely eliminate the dependency of agriculture on groundwater aquifers.
Explanation
The Indian government provides substantial subsidies for micro-irrigation systems like drip and sprinklers to promote water efficiency in water-scarce areas.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 51 | (d) Jawahar Canal - Right bank canal of Nagarjunasagar |
| 52 | (b) II and V only |
| 53 | (c) Blocks where water extraction exceeds the annual rechargeable volume |
| 54 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
| 55 | (d) Encouraging privatization of all surface river networks |
| 56 | (b) Punjab |
| 57 | (a) B, A, C, D |
| 58 | (d) A rotational system for equitable distribution of canal water to farmers |
| 59 | (a) Damodar Valley Corporation |
| 60 | (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.