UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The River Basin Management Scheme: Strengthening Water Governance

Q1. With reference to the River Basin Management (RBM) Scheme in its 2026-27 to 2030-31 phase compared with the 2021-22 to 2025-26 phase, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The financial outlay of ₹2,183 crore for the 2026-27 to 2030-31 phase is higher than the ₹1,276 crore outlay of the 2021-22 to 2025-26 phase.
  2. In both phases the scheme has been funded on a cost-sharing basis between the Centre and the participating States.
  3. The renewed phase is aligned with the 16th Finance Commission cycle.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. The River Basin Management Scheme, a 100% centrally funded Central Sector Scheme, is implemented under which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • B. Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
  • C. Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti
  • D. Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti

Q3. Among the implementing agencies of the RBM Scheme, which one is regarded as the country's premier technical organisation in the field of water resources?

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

Q4. With reference to the three implementing agencies of the RBM Scheme, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Central Water Commission was established earlier than the Brahmaputra Board.
  2. The National Water Development Agency was set up as an autonomous society, whereas the Brahmaputra Board is a statutory body created by an Act of Parliament.
  3. All three implementing agencies function under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the RBM Scheme as continued for the 2026-27 to 2030-31 period, consider the following: Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It is fully (100%) centrally funded.
  2. It carries an outlay of ₹2,183 crore.
  3. It coincides with the 16th Finance Commission period.
  4. It is co-funded by the Centre and beneficiary States in a 60:40 ratio.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Among the priority basins of the RBM Scheme, water-sharing on which one is governed by a bilateral treaty concluded with the mediation of the World Bank?

  • A. Teesta
  • B. Brahmaputra
  • C. Barak
  • D. Indus

Q7. With reference to the trans-boundary priority basins of the RBM Scheme, consider the following: Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Brahmaputra — a river shared with China.
  2. Teesta — a river shared with Bangladesh.
  3. Indus — waters governed by the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960.
  4. Barak — waters governed by a water-sharing treaty with Nepal.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. The Brahmaputra Board, an autonomous statutory body constituted under the Brahmaputra Board Act, 1980, currently functions under which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • B. Ministry of Jal Shakti
  • C. Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
  • D. Ministry of Earth Sciences

Q9. Adjudication of inter-state river water disputes, made possible by Article 262 of the Constitution, is operationalised through which one of the following?

  • A. The Central Water Commission
  • B. Water Disputes Tribunals constituted under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956
  • C. The Supreme Court exercising its original jurisdiction
  • D. The Inter-State Council constituted under Article 263

Q10. With reference to the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) and the National Perspective Plan (NPP), consider the following: Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The NPP comprises two components — Himalayan Rivers Development and Peninsular Rivers Development.
  2. NWDA was set up in 1982 as an autonomous society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
  3. The NPP was first formulated in 2019 alongside the creation of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
  4. Under the NPP, a total of 30 river links have been identified for preparation of feasibility reports.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 2, 3 and 4

Q11. With reference to the creation and structure of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It was formed in 2019 by merging the Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR with the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
  2. The Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation is one of the departments now placed under it.
  3. It was created by merging the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with the Ministry of Water Resources.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3