UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ‘National interest will guide BNP on bilateral ties’

Q1. Which one of the following is the only India–Bangladesh river-water-sharing arrangement currently in force as a binding bilateral treaty?

  • A. Teesta Water Sharing Agreement
  • B. Treaty on Sharing of the Ganga/Ganges Waters at Farakka, 1996
  • C. Kushiyara River Memorandum of Understanding
  • D. Feni River Interim Water Sharing Agreement

Q2. The Treaty on Sharing of the Ganga/Ganges Waters at Farakka, whose renewal is the most immediate flashpoint with the incoming BNP government, was signed in 1996 between which pair of Prime Ministers?

  • A. P. V. Narasimha Rao and Khaleda Zia
  • B. H. D. Deve Gowda and Sheikh Hasina
  • C. Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Sheikh Hasina
  • D. I. K. Gujral and Khaleda Zia

Q3. With reference to the 1996 Treaty on Sharing of the Ganga/Ganges Waters at Farakka, consider the following: 1. The treaty has a duration of 30 years from the date of signing. 2. The dry-season sharing schedule applies from 1 January to 31 May. 3. Sharing schedules are computed on the basis of 10-day average flows at Farakka. 4. The treaty also formalises a binding sharing arrangement for the Teesta river. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The treaty has a duration of 30 years from the date of signing.
  2. The dry-season sharing schedule applies from 1 January to 31 May.
  3. Sharing schedules are computed on the basis of 10-day average flows at Farakka.
  4. The treaty also formalises a binding sharing arrangement for the Teesta river.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 4 only

Q4. Under the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty at Farakka, what is the minimum flow (in cusecs) guaranteed to Bangladesh during the dry season when the available flow at Farakka is 75,000 cusecs or more?

  • A. 27,633 cusecs
  • B. 35,000 cusecs
  • C. 39,419 cusecs
  • D. 50,000 cusecs

Q5. On the Indian side, which of the following is the nodal Union Ministry responsible for implementing the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty with Bangladesh?

  • A. Ministry of External Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • C. Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation)
  • D. Ministry of Earth Sciences