Q.1 Which river is known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to frequent flooding?
Kosi
Ganga
Son
Gandak
Explanation - The Kosi River is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar' because it frequently changes its course and causes devastating floods in Bihar.
Correct answer is: Kosi
Q.2 What is the main objective of watershed management?
Increase forest cover
Prevent soil erosion and conserve water
Boost industrial output
Promote urbanization
Explanation - Watershed management aims to conserve water resources, prevent soil erosion, and improve land productivity.
Correct answer is: Prevent soil erosion and conserve water
Q.3 Which of the following is a Ramsar site in India?
Chilika Lake
Pangong Tso
Tehri Dam
Sardar Sarovar Reservoir
Explanation - Chilika Lake in Odisha is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and a Ramsar site recognized for its biodiversity.
Correct answer is: Chilika Lake
Q.4 The 'National Water Policy' in India was first formulated in which year?
1987
1992
2002
2012
Explanation - India's first National Water Policy was formulated in 1987 to regulate the planning and management of water resources.
Correct answer is: 1987
Q.5 Which state in India has the highest per capita availability of water?
Arunachal Pradesh
Punjab
Kerala
Tamil Nadu
Explanation - Arunachal Pradesh has the highest per capita water availability due to abundant rainfall and river systems.
Correct answer is: Arunachal Pradesh
Q.6 The Cauvery water dispute is primarily between which states?
Tamil Nadu and Kerala
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Maharashtra and Karnataka
Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
Explanation - The Cauvery water dispute mainly involves Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, along with Kerala and Puducherry.
Correct answer is: Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Q.7 What is 'Inter-basin water transfer'?
Water transfer between countries
Water transfer between two rivers
Transfer of groundwater
Recycling wastewater
Explanation - Inter-basin water transfer refers to diverting water from one river basin to another for irrigation, drinking, or power generation.
Correct answer is: Water transfer between two rivers
Q.8 Which organization regulates interstate river water disputes in India?
Central Water Commission
NITI Aayog
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunal
Explanation - The Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunal is set up under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act to resolve disputes among states.
Correct answer is: Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunal
Q.9 What percentage of the world’s freshwater is accessible for human use?
10%
2.5%
0.3%
5%
Explanation - Only 0.3% of the world’s freshwater is accessible in lakes, rivers, and groundwater; the rest is locked in glaciers and ice caps.
Correct answer is: 0.3%
Q.10 Bhakra Nangal Dam is constructed on which river?
Ganga
Sutlej
Beas
Ravi
Explanation - Bhakra Nangal Dam, one of the highest gravity dams in India, is built on the Sutlej River.
Correct answer is: Sutlej
Q.11 The National Water Mission is part of which larger policy initiative?
National Action Plan on Climate Change
Swachh Bharat Mission
National Rural Health Mission
Atal Mission for Urban Rejuvenation
Explanation - The National Water Mission is one of the eight missions under India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
Correct answer is: National Action Plan on Climate Change
Q.12 Which technique helps in replenishing groundwater?
Surface irrigation
Rainwater harvesting
Desalination
Deforestation
Explanation - Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater to recharge groundwater levels and reduce dependence on surface water.
Correct answer is: Rainwater harvesting
Q.13 Tehri Dam, one of India’s largest, is built on which river?
Yamuna
Bhagirathi
Alaknanda
Mandakini
Explanation - Tehri Dam, located in Uttarakhand, is built on the Bhagirathi River for irrigation, hydropower, and water supply.
Correct answer is: Bhagirathi
Q.14 Which sector consumes the maximum share of freshwater in India?
Industry
Domestic use
Agriculture
Hydropower
Explanation - Agriculture accounts for around 80% of India’s freshwater consumption due to irrigation requirements.
Correct answer is: Agriculture
Q.15 What is 'greywater'?
Sewage water
Industrial effluents
Wastewater from household use excluding toilets
Rainwater
Explanation - Greywater refers to wastewater from baths, sinks, kitchens, and washing machines, excluding sewage water.
Correct answer is: Wastewater from household use excluding toilets
Q.16 Which of the following rivers does NOT originate in India?
Brahmaputra
Godavari
Mahanadi
Narmada
Explanation - The Brahmaputra originates in Tibet as the Yarlung Tsangpo and enters India in Arunachal Pradesh.
Correct answer is: Brahmaputra
Q.17 Which Indian city was the first to make rainwater harvesting mandatory?
Delhi
Chennai
Mumbai
Bangalore
Explanation - Chennai was the first Indian city to make rainwater harvesting mandatory to combat water scarcity.
Correct answer is: Chennai
Q.18 What does the term 'Blue Water' refer to in water resource studies?
Water in oceans
Fresh surface and groundwater
Recycled water
Desalinated water
Explanation - Blue water refers to freshwater available in rivers, lakes, and groundwater sources for human use.
Correct answer is: Fresh surface and groundwater
Q.19 Which international agreement deals with shared watercourses?
Ramsar Convention
UN Watercourses Convention
Kyoto Protocol
Paris Agreement
Explanation - The UN Watercourses Convention provides a framework for cooperation and management of international rivers and lakes.
Correct answer is: UN Watercourses Convention
Q.20 Which river basin is known as 'India’s rice bowl'?
Godavari
Krishna
Mahanadi
Cauvery
Explanation - The Godavari basin is called the 'rice bowl of India' because of extensive paddy cultivation supported by its waters.
Correct answer is: Godavari
Q.21 Which of the following is a major cause of groundwater depletion in India?
Urbanization
Over-irrigation using tube wells
River pollution
Glacial melting
Explanation - Over-extraction of groundwater through tube wells for irrigation is the leading cause of groundwater depletion in India.
Correct answer is: Over-irrigation using tube wells
Q.22 Which is the largest artificial lake in India?
Gobind Sagar
Hussain Sagar
Chilka Lake
Vembanad
Explanation - Gobind Sagar Lake, formed by the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej River, is India’s largest man-made lake.
Correct answer is: Gobind Sagar
Q.23 Which mission aims at ensuring 'Har Ghar Jal' in India?
Namami Gange
Jal Jeevan Mission
Swachh Bharat Mission
Atal Bhujal Yojana
Explanation - The Jal Jeevan Mission launched in 2019 aims to provide piped water supply to every rural household.
Correct answer is: Jal Jeevan Mission
Q.24 What is the main purpose of check dams?
Generate electricity
Control floods
Recharge groundwater
Divert river course
Explanation - Check dams are small barriers across streams that slow down water flow and help recharge groundwater.
Correct answer is: Recharge groundwater
Q.25 Which Indian river is known as 'Dakshina Ganga'?
Krishna
Godavari
Cauvery
Periyar
Explanation - The Godavari is often referred to as 'Dakshina Ganga' or the Ganga of the South due to its cultural and agricultural significance.
Correct answer is: Godavari