Practice 50 Irrigation multiple-choice questions with detailed answers and explanations. Ideal for RAS/RPSC exam preparation.
Q1. Which dam is the highest in India?
Explanation
Tehri Dam (260.5m) on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand is the highest dam in India and one of the tallest in Asia. It is a rock-fill dam.
Q2. The Indira Gandhi Canal brings water from which river to the Thar Desert?
Explanation
The Indira Gandhi Canal (originally Rajasthan Canal) originates from the Harike Barrage at the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers in Punjab. It is 649 km long and carries water to the Thar Desert regions of Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Barmer in Rajasthan, transforming desert land into fertile agricultural area.
Q3. How many of the following statements about the Command Area Development and Water Management (CADWM) Programme are correct? 1. CADWM focuses on the development of field channels (field drains) and land leveling within command areas. 2. The programme aims to bridge the gap between irrigation potential created and utilized. 3. CADWM was launched in 1974-75 as a centrally sponsored scheme. 4. Warabandi (rotational water distribution) is a key feature of CADWM. Select the correct answer:
Explanation
All four statements about CADWM are correct: (1) It develops field channels (the 'last mile' link) and promotes land leveling; (2) Its primary goal is to bridge the gap between irrigation potential created (by major/medium projects) and actual utilization; (3) It was indeed launched in 1974-75 as a CSS; (4) Warabandi — equitable rotational water distribution at chak level — is a core CADWM feature. This gap between potential created and utilized remains a major challenge in Indian irrigation.
Q4. Which of the following statements about Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) are correct? 1. PMKSY was launched in 2015 by merging three existing schemes — AIBP, IWMP, and On-Farm Water Management. 2. 'Har Khet Ko Pani' is a component of PMKSY that focuses on expanding cultivable area under irrigation. 3. 'Per Drop More Crop' promotes micro-irrigation technologies like drip and sprinkler systems. 4. PMKSY is implemented exclusively by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. Select the correct answer:
Explanation
PMKSY (2015) was formed by merging: (i) AIBP under Ministry of Water Resources, (ii) IWMP (Integrated Watershed Management Programme) under MoRD, and (iii) On-Farm Water Management under MoAFW. Its four components: AIBP, Har Khet Ko Pani, Per Drop More Crop, and Watershed Development. Statement 4 is incorrect — it is a multi-ministry scheme. Statements 1, 2, and 3 are all accurate.
Q5. Consider the following statements about the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP): 1. AIBP was launched in 1996-97 to provide central loan assistance to states for completing incomplete major/medium irrigation projects. 2. Under AIBP, priority is given to projects that are more than 90% complete. 3. AIBP was later merged into PMKSY in 2015. 4. AIBP applies only to surface water irrigation projects and excludes groundwater schemes. Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct: AIBP was launched in 1996-97 providing central assistance (initially loans, later grants) to complete stalled major/medium irrigation projects; it prioritizes projects that are near completion (typically >50% physical progress originally, with focus on high-completion projects); and it was merged into PMKSY in 2015. Statement 4 is incorrect — by definition, AIBP covers major/medium surface irrigation projects (its design inherently involves surface water), but the statement implies an explicit exclusion that misrepresents the scheme's scope.
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Q6. The height of Bhakra Dam is approximately:
Q7. Which of the following statements about groundwater depletion and irrigation in India is/are CORRECT? 1. Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan are the states with the highest number of 'over-exploited' groundwater blocks in India. 2. The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was established under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. 3. Over-exploitation of groundwater for irrigation is most severe in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. 4. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan targets conservation of water through watershed development only. Select the correct answer:
Q8. River interlinking in India under the National Perspective Plan (NPP) has two components. Which of the following correctly describes the Peninsular Rivers Development component?
Q9. The Model Groundwater (Sustainable Management) Bill 2017 (updated from 2005) proposes which of the following key regulatory mechanisms? 1. District-level Groundwater Authorities with powers to issue permits for new borewells 2. Mandatory registration of existing water-intensive industries drawing groundwater 3. Making groundwater a state property with the government as trustee 4. Banning all private borewell drilling across India Which of the above are proposed?
Q10. Consider the following statements about irrigation and the Green Revolution in India: 1. The Green Revolution was largely confined to irrigated areas of Punjab, Haryana and western UP. 2. High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds performed well even under rain-fed conditions without additional irrigation. 3. The expansion of tubewell irrigation in Punjab and Haryana was a major enabler of Green Revolution success. Which of the above statements are CORRECT?
Q11. The concept of 'Watershed Management' involves:
Q12. Which of the following national waterways is the longest?
Q13. Mettur Dam is built across which river?
Q14. India's total irrigation potential is approximately how many million hectares (MH)?
Q15. Which irrigation method is most prevalent in India?
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