UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — A dry spell along the Cauvery river

Question 1

Consider the following statements about the course of the Cauvery river:
1. The Hemavati and the Lakshmantirtha join the main stream at Krishnaraja Sagara, whereas the Kabini and the Moyar join it further downstream, before it reaches the Stanley Reservoir.
2. The river rises in the Eastern Ghats at Talakaveri in Kodagu district and reaches the Bay of Bengal south of Cuddalore.
3. Its total length from source to mouth is about 802 km, and its braided deltaic tract extends over roughly 10,360 sq km.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 2

With reference to the tributaries of the Cauvery, consider the following:
1. Kabini — joins the main stream upstream of the Stanley Reservoir.
2. Hemavati — joins the main stream at the Mettur dam site in Salem district.
3. Amaravati — a tributary of the Cauvery.
4. Moyar — joins the main stream before it reaches the Stanley Reservoir.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 3

By how much, in TMC, did the Supreme Court's judgment of 16 February 2018 reduce the annual quantum of Cauvery water that Karnataka must let flow to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu, as compared with the quantum fixed by the Tribunal's 2007 award?

Accepted Answer

14.75 TMC

Answer

4.75 TMC

Answer

10 TMC

Answer

30 TMC

Question 4

Consider the following statements comparing the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's 2007 award with the Supreme Court's 2018 judgment:
1. Tamil Nadu's annual allocation, fixed at 419 TMC by the Tribunal, was brought down to 404.25 TMC by the Court.
2. Karnataka's share was raised to 284.75 TMC, the increase comprising 10 TMC on account of groundwater availability in Tamil Nadu and 4.75 TMC for Bengaluru's drinking water needs.
3. The allocations of Kerala and Puducherry were also revised upwards, in proportion to the enhancement granted to Karnataka.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 5

In the working of the Cauvery Water Management Scheme, what does 'Biligundlu' denote?

Accepted Answer

The inter-State contact point at which the water let down by the upper riparian State is reckoned

Answer

The reservoir in Mandya district that feeds the Visvesvaraya canal command

Answer

The dam in Salem district that impounds the Stanley Reservoir

Answer

The seat of the Authority, where its regulation committee holds its sittings

Question 6

Consider the following statements about the institutional arrangement created by the Cauvery Water Management Scheme, 2018:
1. The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal continues to function alongside the Authority, its role now confined to real-time regulation of releases.
2. The Authority consists of a Chairman, two whole-time members, and part-time members drawn from the Union government as well as one each from the four basin States and Union Territory.
3. The Authority is to monitor the working of the monthly delivery schedule with the assistance of the party States and the Central Water Commission.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 7

With reference to the constitutional and statutory framework governing inter-State river waters in India, consider the following:
1. Article 262 enables Parliament to provide by law for the adjudication of disputes relating to the waters of inter-State rivers and river valleys.
2. Entry 56 of the Union List permits Parliament to regulate and develop inter-State rivers to the extent declared expedient in the public interest, and the River Boards Act, 1956 was enacted under it.
3. Under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, the Central Government constitutes a tribunal on a State's request where it is of the opinion that the dispute cannot be settled by negotiations.
4. Water supplies, irrigation and canals figure as Entry 17 of the Concurrent List.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1 and 4 only

Question 8

Which one of the following best describes the Cauvery agreement that took effect on 18 February 1924?

Accepted Answer

An arrangement of fixed fifty-year duration under which Mysore could impound water at Kannambadi and Madras could raise a reservoir at Mettur

Answer

The award of the Court of Arbitration presided over by Sir Henry D. Griffin, adopted between the two governments without any departure from it

Answer

The first understanding between Mysore and Madras regulating the taking up of new irrigation works across their common rivers

Answer

An award made under the Government of India Act by which princely Mysore surrendered its irrigation rights over the river to the Madras Presidency in perpetuity

Question 9

In which year was the Mettur Dam, which impounds the Stanley Reservoir, completed?

Accepted Answer

1934

Answer

1924

Answer

1956

Answer

1974

Question 10

The direction that Karnataka release 12,000 cusecs a day for fifteen days beginning 12 August 2026 emanated from which body?

Accepted Answer

The Cauvery Water Management Authority

Answer

The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, in exercise of its continuing supervisory powers

Answer

The Central Water Commission, acting through the Ministry of Jal Shakti

Answer

The Supreme Court bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta

Question 11

The constitution and servicing of water disputes tribunals for rivers such as the Krishna, the Mahanadi and the Mahadayi is handled by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti

Answer

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti

Answer

The Central Water Commission, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Answer

The Inter-State Council Secretariat, under the Ministry of Home Affairs

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — A dry spell along the Cauvery river

Q3. By how much, in TMC, did the Supreme Court's judgment of 16 February 2018 reduce the annual quantum of Cauvery water that Karnataka must let flow to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu, as compared with the quantum fixed by the Tribunal's 2007 award?

Q5. In the working of the Cauvery Water Management Scheme, what does 'Biligundlu' denote?

Q8. Which one of the following best describes the Cauvery agreement that took effect on 18 February 1924?

Q9. In which year was the Mettur Dam, which impounds the Stanley Reservoir, completed?

Q10. The direction that Karnataka release 12,000 cusecs a day for fifteen days beginning 12 August 2026 emanated from which body?

Q11. The constitution and servicing of water disputes tribunals for rivers such as the Krishna, the Mahanadi and the Mahadayi is handled by which one of the following?