Q11. Which river system provides the continuous water supply required for the Indira Gandhi Canal?
Irrigation in Rajasthan: RAS Prelims MCQs
28 RAS Prelims MCQs on irrigation in Rajasthan cover the sources of irrigation, the canals and the major dams. The Indira Gandhi Canal, the Gang Canal, the Mahi Bajaj Sagar Project and the dams on the Chambal are asked with their lengths, locations and sharing arrangements, and the explanations give the reason for artificial irrigation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 11–20 of 28 questions
Q12. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Old Name of IGNP Lift Canal | New Name |
|---|---|
| A. Bikaner-Lunkaransar Lift Canal | i. Dr. Karni Singh Lift Canal |
| B. Gajner Lift Canal | ii. Panna Lal Barupal Lift Canal |
| C. Kolayat Lift Canal | iii. Kanwar Sen Lift Canal |
| D. Phalodi Lift Canal | iv. Guru Jambheshwar Lift Canal |
Explanation
Several lift canals of the Indira Gandhi Canal Project were renamed to honor prominent figures. The Bikaner-Lunkaransar canal became the Kanwar Sen Lift Canal. The Gajner canal was renamed Panna Lal Barupal, while the Kolayat and Phalodi canals were renamed Dr. Karni Singh and Guru Jambheshwar lift canals, respectively. These canals are vital for providing water to elevated desert regions.
Q13. Consider the following districts of Rajasthan:
I. Bikaner
II. Jaisalmer
III. Churu
IV. Hanumangarh
V. Udaipur
Which of the above districts benefit directly from the Indira Gandhi Canal Project network?
I. Bikaner
II. Jaisalmer
III. Churu
IV. Hanumangarh
V. Udaipur
Which of the above districts benefit directly from the Indira Gandhi Canal Project network?
Explanation
The Indira Gandhi Canal network is a massive infrastructure project benefiting several arid districts. Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Churu, and Hanumangarh receive significant water for irrigation and drinking. However, Udaipur is located in the hilly southern part of the state and falls outside the command area of this canal system, relying instead on local rivers and different southern irrigation projects.
Q14. Which of the following is considered the longest lift canal of the Indira Gandhi Canal Project?
Explanation
The Kanwar Sen Lift Canal is recognized as the longest among the lift canals of the Indira Gandhi Canal Project. It was formerly known as the Bikaner-Lunkaransar Lift Canal. This engineering marvel was named after the visionary engineer who first conceived the idea of bringing Himalayan waters to the Rajasthan desert, playing a pivotal role in the entire project’s technical development.
Q15. The last operational point of the Indira Gandhi Canal is situated at:
Explanation
The Indira Gandhi Canal project was designed to stretch deep into the western desert. While the main canal concludes earlier, the extended distribution network, including the Sagarmal Gopa branch, reaches its final operational destination at Gadra Road in the Barmer district. This expansion ensures that even the most remote border areas benefit from the life-giving waters of this massive system.
Q16. Select the correct sequence of the Indira Gandhi Canal lift canals geographically from North to South:
Explanation
The lift canals of the Indira Gandhi Canal are arranged geographically to serve different latitudes.
Q17. Which of the following is recognized as the oldest modern canal system in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Gang Canal is celebrated as the oldest modern canal irrigation system in Rajasthan. Built in the early 20th century, it served as a precursor to larger subsequent projects like the Indira Gandhi Canal. It demonstrated the feasibility of transforming desert lands through large-scale engineering, setting a historical precedent for water management and agricultural development in the arid princely states.
Q18. The construction of the Gang Canal was completed under the visionary leadership of Maharaja Ganga Singh in the year:
Explanation
Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner, often called the "Modern Bhagirath," spearheaded the construction of the Gang Canal. The project was a landmark achievement in irrigation engineering and was officially completed in 1927. Its success brought life-sustaining water to the northern desert, laying the foundation for the region’s future prosperity and serving as a model for subsequent large-scale irrigation projects.
Q19. From which location does the Gang Canal originate before bringing water to the Sri Ganganagar district?
Explanation
The Gang Canal originates from the Satluj River at Husainiwala, located near Firozpur in Punjab. From this point, it carries water into the Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan. This strategic diversion was the first major attempt to bring Himalayan water to the Thar Desert, significantly altering the landscape and agricultural potential of the Bikaner state’s northern territories during that era.
Q20. What was the most significant socio-economic effect of the Gang Canal on the Bikaner princely state?
Explanation
Before the advent of the Gang Canal, the northern part of the Bikaner state was a sparsely populated, arid wasteland. The introduction of canal water transformed this region into a highly productive agricultural zone, now known as the "food basket" of Rajasthan. This socio-economic shift led to increased settlement, improved livelihoods, and the emergence of major grain-producing hubs.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (b) Satluj and Beas |
| 12 | (b) A-iii, B-ii, C-i, D-iv |
| 13 | (a) I, II, III and IV |
| 14 | (b) Kanwar Sen Lift Canal |
| 15 | (b) Gadra Road |
| 16 | (a) Chaudhary Kumbharam - Kanwar Sen - Panna Lal Barupal - Dr. Karni Singh |
| 17 | (c) Gang Canal |
| 18 | (b) 1927 |
| 19 | (c) Husainiwala on the Satluj river |
| 20 | (b) It transformed the dry, arid region into a major grain-producing hub. |
Key facts from Irrigation in Rajasthan
- Rajasthan depends on artificial irrigation because of low and erratic rainfall; wells and tube wells give the highest share of irrigated area.
- The Indira Gandhi Feeder Canal is 204 km long up to its entry into Rajasthan; the last operational point of the canal is at Gadra Road.
- The Gang Canal, the oldest modern canal system of Rajasthan, starts at Husainiwala on the Sutlej and was completed in 1927 under Maharaja Ganga Singh.
- The Mahi Bajaj Sagar dam is in Banswara; Rajasthan and Gujarat share its costs and water in the ratio 45:55.
- The Chambal dams from downstream to upstream are Kota Barrage, Jawahar Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar and Gandhi Sagar.
- Dungarpur is outside the Indira Gandhi Canal command area.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Irrigation in Rajasthan?
This page has 28 practice MCQs on Irrigation in Rajasthan (Rajasthan Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which is the oldest modern canal system of Rajasthan?
The Gang Canal, built under Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner and completed in 1927. It begins at Husainiwala on the Sutlej and brought water to the Sri Ganganagar area.
Where does the Indira Gandhi Canal end?
At Gadra Road in Barmer district, which is the last operational point of the canal. The canal is the longest in India and brings Himalayan water to the Thar desert.
How is the Mahi Bajaj Sagar Project shared?
Rajasthan and Gujarat share the project in the ratio 45:55 for the cost and the water. The dam is on the Mahi river in Banswara district, and the hydroelectricity is allocated under the agreement between the two States.