UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Five key sewerage infrastructure projects made operational for Ganga and Yamuna in Namami Gange Mission Phase II

Q1. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) derives its power to issue binding directions for pollution abatement in the Ganga basin from which one of the following?

  • A. Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • B. The Societies Registration Act, 1860
  • C. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
  • D. The River Boards Act, 1956

Q2. With reference to the institutional framework for Ganga rejuvenation, consider the following statements: 1. NMCG was registered as a society in 2011 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. 2. The National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was dissolved in 2016 and replaced by the National Ganga Council. 3. NMCG functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. NMCG was registered as a society in 2011 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
  2. The National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was dissolved in 2016 and replaced by the National Ganga Council.
  3. NMCG functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to Namami Gange Mission-II (Phase II), consider the following statements: 1. It was approved with a budgetary outlay of ₹22,500 crore. 2. It has been extended up to 31 March 2026. 3. Its outlay is higher than the ₹20,000 crore outlay of Phase I. 4. It was launched in 2014 as the first phase of the programme. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It was approved with a budgetary outlay of ₹22,500 crore.
  2. It has been extended up to 31 March 2026.
  3. Its outlay is higher than the ₹20,000 crore outlay of Phase I.
  4. It was launched in 2014 as the first phase of the programme.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing the two phases of the Namami Gange Programme: 1. Phase I of the programme was launched in June 2014. 2. Phase II (Mission-II) was approved by the Cabinet in 2022. 3. The entire ₹22,500 crore outlay of Phase II is earmarked only for new projects, with no provision for existing liabilities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Phase I of the programme was launched in June 2014.
  2. Phase II (Mission-II) was approved by the Cabinet in 2022.
  3. The entire ₹22,500 crore outlay of Phase II is earmarked only for new projects, with no provision for existing liabilities.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The five sewerage infrastructure projects operationalised for the Ganga and Yamuna basins in Q3 of FY 2025-26 were implemented by which agency under which ministry?

  • A. National Mission for Clean Ganga, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti
  • B. Central Pollution Control Board, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • C. National River Conservation Directorate, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • D. Central Ground Water Board, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti

Q6. With the commissioning of the five projects in Q3 FY 2025-26, the total number of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) commissioned under the Namami Gange Programme reached which of the following?

  • A. 138
  • B. 173
  • C. 218
  • D. 9

Q7. How many sewerage projects had been made operational under the Namami Gange Programme during FY 2025-26 up to the end of Q3?

  • A. 5
  • B. 9
  • C. 4
  • D. 13

Q8. Among the sewerage projects operationalised under the Namami Gange Programme in FY 2025-26, which one added the single largest sewage treatment capacity?

  • A. Varanasi Assi–BHU STP
  • B. Patna Kankarbagh STP
  • C. Agra STP (35 MLD)
  • D. North Barrackpore STP

Q9. How many sewerage infrastructure projects have been sanctioned in total under the Namami Gange Programme (as reported for Phase II)?

  • A. 173
  • B. 218
  • C. 138
  • D. 409

Q10. With reference to the Namami Gange Programme's sewerage targets and sanctioned projects, consider the following: 1. The cumulative sewerage treatment capacity target is 7,000 MLD by December 2026. 2. A total of 218 sewerage projects with an aggregate treatment capacity of 6,610 MLD have been sanctioned. 3. The sanctioned sewerage projects entail an estimated cost of about ₹35,698 crore. 4. All 218 sanctioned sewerage projects have already been made operational. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. The cumulative sewerage treatment capacity target is 7,000 MLD by December 2026.
  2. A total of 218 sewerage projects with an aggregate treatment capacity of 6,610 MLD have been sanctioned.
  3. The sanctioned sewerage projects entail an estimated cost of about ₹35,698 crore.
  4. All 218 sanctioned sewerage projects have already been made operational.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. With reference to the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016, consider the following statements: 1. The Order was issued in 2016. 2. It constituted the National Ganga Council, replacing the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA). 3. It was issued under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Order was issued in 2016.
  2. It constituted the National Ganga Council, replacing the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA).
  3. It was issued under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. With reference to the classification and funding of the Namami Gange Programme, consider the following: 1. It is a Central Sector Scheme. 2. Under it, the Centre provides financial and technical assistance to States/UTs. 3. The Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) spreads the capital expenditure of STPs over a 15-year operation and maintenance phase. 4. The programme is implemented with the Central Pollution Control Board as its nodal agency. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. It is a Central Sector Scheme.
  2. Under it, the Centre provides financial and technical assistance to States/UTs.
  3. The Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) spreads the capital expenditure of STPs over a 15-year operation and maintenance phase.
  4. The programme is implemented with the Central Pollution Control Board as its nodal agency.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 2 only