UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Building water security in a rapidly drying India

Q1. The population-driven, per-capita indicator that classifies a region as 'water-stressed' when its annual availability falls below 1,700 m³ per person is most closely associated with which one of the following scientists?

  • A. Malin Falkenmark
  • B. John Anthony Allan
  • C. Peter Gleick
  • D. Mikhail Budyko

Q2. Under the Falkenmark Index, a region is said to face 'absolute water scarcity' only when its annual per capita water availability falls below how many cubic metres?

  • A. 500 m³
  • B. 1,000 m³
  • C. 1,700 m³
  • D. 2,000 m³

Q3. The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) is implemented by which one of the following Union ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Jal Shakti
  • C. Ministry of Rural Development
  • D. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Q4. Consider the following scheme–ministry pairings: 1. Jal Jeevan Mission — Ministry of Jal Shakti 2. AMRUT — Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs 3. Atal Bhujal Yojana — Ministry of Jal Shakti 4. Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) — Ministry of Rural Development Which of the above pairings is NOT correctly matched?

  1. Jal Jeevan Mission — Ministry of Jal Shakti
  2. AMRUT — Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
  3. Atal Bhujal Yojana — Ministry of Jal Shakti
  4. Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) — Ministry of Rural Development
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q5. With reference to the two editions of the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI), consider the following statements: 1. The debut edition of the CWMI was released by NITI Aayog in 2018. 2. Union Territories submitted their data for the first time in the CWMI 2.0 edition. 3. Unlike the first edition, CWMI 2.0 was the only edition prepared by the Ministry of Jal Shakti rather than by NITI Aayog. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The debut edition of the CWMI was released by NITI Aayog in 2018.
  2. Union Territories submitted their data for the first time in the CWMI 2.0 edition.
  3. Unlike the first edition, CWMI 2.0 was the only edition prepared by the Ministry of Jal Shakti rather than by NITI Aayog.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. With reference to the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI), consider the following statements: 1. It is an index/ranking tool rather than a funded implementation scheme. 2. It was developed by NITI Aayog to foster cooperative and competitive federalism among states. 3. It scores states on a set of key performance indicators spanning irrigation, drinking water and related sectors. 4. It is a centrally sponsored scheme run by the Ministry of Jal Shakti with a fixed budgetary outlay. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. It is an index/ranking tool rather than a funded implementation scheme.
  2. It was developed by NITI Aayog to foster cooperative and competitive federalism among states.
  3. It scores states on a set of key performance indicators spanning irrigation, drinking water and related sectors.
  4. It is a centrally sponsored scheme run by the Ministry of Jal Shakti with a fixed budgetary outlay.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. According to the water-availability classification, the following river basins are cited as having per capita availability below the 1,000 m³ scarcity threshold: 1. Krishna 2. Cauvery 3. Mahi 4. Brahmaputra Which of the above is NOT correctly identified as a basin below the scarcity threshold?

  1. Krishna
  2. Cauvery
  3. Mahi
  4. Brahmaputra
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q8. Which one of the following bodies carries out the periodic basin-wise assessment of India's surface water resources, as in the 'Assessment of Water Resources of India-2024'?

  • A. Central Water Commission
  • B. Central Ground Water Board
  • C. National Water Development Agency
  • D. Central Pollution Control Board

Q9. Regarding the constitutional position of water in India, consider the following statements: 1. Water is a subject under Entry 17 of the State List. 2. Regulation of inter-State rivers and river valleys falls under Entry 56 of the Union List. 3. Article 262 enables Parliament to provide for adjudication of inter-State river water disputes. 4. Water figures exclusively in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. Water is a subject under Entry 17 of the State List.
  2. Regulation of inter-State rivers and river valleys falls under Entry 56 of the Union List.
  3. Article 262 enables Parliament to provide for adjudication of inter-State river water disputes.
  4. Water figures exclusively in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. With reference to India's June 2026 water situation, consider the following statements: 1. The all-India monsoon rainfall deficit in June 2026 exceeded 40%. 2. Delhi's total water demand is about 1,250 MGD (million gallons per day). 3. Cities ranging from Bengaluru to Mussoorie were reported under severe water stress. 4. During the crisis, Delhi's supply fully met its 1,250 MGD demand. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. The all-India monsoon rainfall deficit in June 2026 exceeded 40%.
  2. Delhi's total water demand is about 1,250 MGD (million gallons per day).
  3. Cities ranging from Bengaluru to Mussoorie were reported under severe water stress.
  4. During the crisis, Delhi's supply fully met its 1,250 MGD demand.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. The 2026 report that formally defined the onset of an era of 'global water bankruptcy' was released by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)
  • B. UN-Water
  • C. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
  • D. World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Q12. With reference to NITI Aayog's projections associated with the Composite Water Management Index, consider the following statements: 1. By 2030, India's water demand could be twice the available supply. 2. Around 600 million Indians currently face high to extreme water stress. 3. Unchecked water scarcity could cause up to a 6% loss in India's GDP. 4. By 2030, India is projected to achieve full aquifer recharge, eliminating groundwater stress. Which of the above is NOT correctly identified?

  1. By 2030, India's water demand could be twice the available supply.
  2. Around 600 million Indians currently face high to extreme water stress.
  3. Unchecked water scarcity could cause up to a 6% loss in India's GDP.
  4. By 2030, India is projected to achieve full aquifer recharge, eliminating groundwater stress.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only