- What is the primary cause of water scarcity in India?
a) Overpopulation
b) Deforestation
c) Urbanization
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
- Which river is considered the most polluted river in India?
a) Ganges
b) Yamuna
c) Brahmaputra
d) Godavari
Answer: b) Yamuna
- The National Water Policy in India was first formulated in which year?
a) 1987
b) 2002
c) 2012
d) 2015
Answer: b) 2002
- Which of the following is NOT a reason for groundwater depletion in India?
a) Excessive extraction for agriculture
b) Climate change
c) Effective rainwater harvesting
d) Urbanization
Answer: c) Effective rainwater harvesting
- What percentage of India’s water resources is used for agriculture?
a) 50%
b) 70%
c) 90%
d) 30%
Answer: b) 70%
- Which of the following is a significant water conservation practice in agriculture?
a) Flood irrigation
b) Drip irrigation
c) Surface irrigation
d) Open well irrigation
Answer: b) Drip irrigation
- The main focus of the Atal Bhujal Yojana is:
a) Improving irrigation efficiency
b) Water conservation in urban areas
c) Groundwater recharge and management
d) Industrial water use
Answer: c) Groundwater recharge and management
- Which state in India has implemented the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ to provide tap water to households?
a) Maharashtra
b) Uttar Pradesh
c) Karnataka
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
- The term ‘blue water’ refers to:
a) Surface water and groundwater
b) Rainwater harvesting
c) Wastewater
d) Sea water
Answer: a) Surface water and groundwater
- The interlinking of rivers is primarily aimed at:
a) Increasing flood risk
b) Reducing drought
c) Managing fisheries
d) None of the above
Answer: b) Reducing drought
- Which of the following is a major threat to the quality of water resources in India?
a) Industrial discharge
b) Agricultural runoff
c) Urban sewage
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
- The term ‘virtual water’ refers to:
a) Water that is stored underground
b) Water used in food production
c) Water that is recycled
d) None of the above
Answer: b) Water used in food production
- Which of the following initiatives focuses on river cleaning in India?
a) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
b) Namami Gange Programme
c) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
d) Make in India
Answer: b) Namami Gange Programme
- What is the main aim of the ‘National River Conservation Plan’?
a) Promote irrigation
b) Increase industrial use of rivers
c) Reduce pollution in rivers
d) Improve river transport
Answer: c) Reduce pollution in rivers
- The practice of rainwater harvesting is most effective in which region of India?
a) Coastal regions
b) Arid and semi-arid regions
c) Himalayan regions
d) River basins
Answer: b) Arid and semi-arid regions
- The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is responsible for:
a) River pollution control
b) Groundwater management
c) Agricultural water supply
d) Urban water supply
Answer: b) Groundwater management
- Which of the following is a major water-intensive crop in India?
a) Wheat
b) Rice
c) Millets
d) Pulses
Answer: b) Rice
- The ‘Water Footprint’ concept measures:
a) The total volume of freshwater used by an individual or community
b) Water pollution levels
c) Water availability
d) None of the above
Answer: a) The total volume of freshwater used by an individual or community
- Which Indian state has the highest per capita availability of water?
a) Rajasthan
b) Punjab
c) Himachal Pradesh
d) Gujarat
Answer: c) Himachal Pradesh
- Which act governs the management of water resources in India?
a) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
b) The Environment Protection Act, 1986
c) The Indian Easements Act, 1882
d) The Water Resources Development Act, 1997
Answer: a) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- Which of the following is NOT a sustainable water management practice?
a) Rainwater harvesting
b) Watershed management
c) Over-extraction of groundwater
d) Reuse of treated wastewater
Answer: c) Over-extraction of groundwater
- What is the primary source of drinking water for rural India?
a) Borewells
b) Rivers
c) Lakes
d) Rainwater
Answer: a) Borewells
- The term ‘ watershed’ refers to:
a) A structure for water storage
b) An area where water collects and drains into a common outlet
c) The level of water in rivers
d) None of the above
Answer: b) An area where water collects and drains into a common outlet
- Which of the following organizations is responsible for formulating water policies in India?
a) Ministry of Water Resources
b) Central Pollution Control Board
c) Indian Meteorological Department
d) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
Answer: a) Ministry of Water Resources
- Which region in India faces chronic water scarcity?
a) Northern Plains
b) Western Rajasthan
c) Eastern Ghats
d) Coastal Andhra Pradesh
Answer: b) Western Rajasthan
- The ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’ is primarily aimed at:
a) Promoting urban water supply
b) Increasing groundwater recharge
c) River interlinking
d) Industrial water use
Answer: b) Increasing groundwater recharge
- Which of the following states is known for its successful water conservation initiatives?
a) Kerala
b) Rajasthan
c) Punjab
d) Bihar
Answer: b) Rajasthan
- The main challenge faced by the water sector in India is:
a) Availability of water resources
b) Water quality management
c) Coordination among various stakeholders
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
- What percentage of India’s population lacks access to safe drinking water?
a) 5%
b) 10%
c) 15%
d) 20%
Answer: b) 10%
- Which initiative focuses on improving sanitation and drinking water supply in rural India?
a) Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
b) Swachh Bharat Mission
c) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
d) Digital India
Answer: b) Swachh Bharat Mission
These MCQs cover various aspects of India’s water crisis, including its causes, solutions, and policy interventions.