Water Resources (Geography) - PYQ 2025 - UPSC PDF Download

Q1. Match the dams in Column I with their respective rivers in Column II and select the correct option. (1 mark)

Options: (A) a-iv, b-i, c-iii, d-ii (B) a-i, b-ii, c-iv, d-iii (C) a-iv, b-i, c-ii, d-iii (D) a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
Answer: (C) a-iv, b-i, c-ii, d-iii
Hirakud is on the Mahanadi, Gandhi Sagar on the Chambal, Nagarjuna Sagar on the Krishna, and Mettur on the Kaveri.

Q2. Identify the correct option listing the major states involved in the Krishna-Godavari water dispute. (1 mark)
Options: 
(A) Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu 
(B) Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh 
(C) Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh 
(D) Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha
Answer: (B) Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
The Krishna-Godavari dispute involves Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh due to water diversion at Koyna affecting downstream flow.

Q3. Match the rivers in Column I with their corresponding dams in Column II and select the correct option. (1 mark)

Options: 
(A) a-ii, b-iii, c-i, d-iv 
(B) a-ii, b-iii, c-iv, d-i 
(C) a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii 
(D) a-iii, b-iv, c-ii, d-i

Answer: (C) a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii

Chambal has Gandhi Sagar, Ganga has Tehri, Chenab has Salal, and Satluj has Bhakra Nangal.

Q4. Select the correct option identifying the states majorly benefited by the Sardar Sarovar Dam. (1 mark)
Options: 
(A) Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana 
(B) Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan 
(C) Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh 
(D) Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh
Answer: (B) Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan
The Sardar Sarovar Dam provides irrigation and water supply to Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

Q5. Explain how the overuse of groundwater has led to a serious crisis in many parts of India, with examples, in the context of sustainable development. (2+3=5 marks)
Answer:
Reasons for Crisis (2 marks): Overuse of groundwater lowers water tables, reducing availability for drinking and irrigation, and causes soil salinisation, degrading agricultural land.
Context of Sustainable Development (3 marks): 

• Sustainable development balances current needs with future resource availability. In Punjab and Haryana, excessive tube-well irrigation depletes groundwater, threatening food security. 
• Soil salinisation reduces crop yields, impacting farmers’ livelihoods. Urban areas like Delhi over-extract groundwater with private pumps, limiting equitable access. 
• This contradicts sustainable development by prioritizing short-term gains over long-term resource stability. Practices like rainwater harvesting in Gendathur village, Karnataka, collecting 50,000 litres per household annually, show how conservation can ensure sustainable water use for future generations while maintaining environmental balance.

Q6. Describe the impact of industrialisation and urbanisation on water supply in India. (3 marks)
Answer: Industrialisation and urbanisation impact water supply by:  

1. High Demand: Industries and dense urban populations, like in Delhi, increase water use, straining resources.  
2. Groundwater Depletion: Urban societies and industries use pumps, lowering groundwater levels rapidly.  
3. Water Pollution: Industrial effluents and urban waste contaminate rivers and lakes, making water unsafe.

Q7. List and explain three objectives of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). (3 marks)
Answer: The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to:  

1. Provide Safe Water: Ensure every rural household gets 55 litres of potable piped water daily.  
2. Sustainable Supply: Maintain regular, long-term water supply through functional tap connections.  
3. Enhance Rural Living: Improve quality of life in rural areas with assured water access.

Q8. Identify the 11th-century artificial lake built for water conservation from the options below. (1 mark)
Options: 
(A) Sambhar Lake 
(B) Wular Lake 
(C) Bhopal Lake 
(D) Chilka Lake
Answer: (C) Bhopal Lake
Bhopal Lake, constructed in the 11th century, was designed for water conservation purposes.

Q9. Match the dams in Column I with their respective rivers in Column II and select the correct option. (1 mark)

Options: 
(A) a-ii, b-i, c-iv, d-iii 
(B) a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii 
(C) a-iii, b-iv, c-ii, d-i 
(D) a-i, b-iii, c-iv, d-ii

Answer: (C) a-iii, b-iv, c-ii, d-i
Sardar Sarovar is on the Narmada, Salal on the Chenab, Gandhi Sagar on the Chambal, and Hirakud on the Mahanadi.

Notes:

• Questions 1 and 2 are duplicated across 1-SET 1 (Q7, Q8), 1-SET 2 (Q3, Q2), and 1-SET 3 (Q12, Q13).
• Questions 3 and 4 are duplicated across 2-SET 1 (Q7, Q8), 2-SET 2 (Q3, Q2), and 2-SET 3 (Q9, Q8).
• Questions 8 and 9 are duplicated across 5-SET 1 (Q7, Q8), 5-SET 2 (Q3, Q2), and 5-SET 3 (Q9, Q8).
• Questions 5, 6, and 7 are unique, appearing only once in the provided sets.
• Sets 4 and 6 contain no questions in the provided data.