UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Ken-Betwa Link Project
Q1. The Ken-Betwa Link Project is projected to benefit districts in both Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. How many districts of Uttar Pradesh figure among the identified beneficiary districts of the project?
- A. Four
- B. Six
- C. Nine
- D. Thirteen
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Ken-Betwa Link Project in relation to other links under the National Perspective Plan:
1. It is the first project under the National Perspective Plan to enter the implementation stage.
2. Unlike the Ken-Betwa Link, the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link has been declared a priority project under the National Perspective Plan.
3. It transfers water from the Ken, which lies in Madhya Pradesh, to the Betwa basin through the Daudhan Dam and a link canal.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- It is the first project under the National Perspective Plan to enter the implementation stage.
- Unlike the Ken-Betwa Link, the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link has been declared a priority project under the National Perspective Plan.
- It transfers water from the Ken, which lies in Madhya Pradesh, to the Betwa basin through the Daudhan Dam and a link canal.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. As a condition of the Stage-I forest clearance for the Ken-Betwa Link Project, the Landscape Management Plan covering the whole of Panna, including the Ken Gharial Sanctuary, was to be prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India jointly with which one of the following bodies?
- A. The Central Zoo Authority, a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- B. The National Biodiversity Authority, the apex body established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- C. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, the enforcement arm under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- D. The National Tiger Conservation Authority, the statutory body constituted for Project Tiger
Q4. In the context of mitigation measures for the Ken-Betwa Link Project, what does the 'Greater Panna Landscape' precisely denote?
- A. The notified eco-sensitive zone extending around the boundary of Panna Tiger Reserve, within which construction is regulated
- B. The catchment of the Ken upstream of the Daudhan Dam, treated as one unit for soil and moisture conservation works
- C. A conservation unit keeping Panna Tiger Reserve at its centre and linking adjoining forest divisions with the Nauradehi, Rani Durgawati and Ranipur sanctuaries
- D. The combined core and buffer area of Panna Tiger Reserve that comes under submergence of the Daudhan reservoir
Q5. The special purpose vehicle approved for executing the Ken-Betwa Link Project consists of representatives of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh together with which one of the following central public sector undertakings as the lead entity?
- A. WAPCOS Limited
- B. NHPC Limited
- C. SJVN Limited
- D. National Projects Construction Corporation Limited
Q6. The Union Cabinet approved central support of ₹39,317 crore for the Ken-Betwa Link Project. This central support was constituted of which one of the following?
- A. A grant of ₹19,317 crore and a loan of ₹20,000 crore
- B. A grant of ₹3,027 crore and a loan of ₹36,290 crore
- C. A grant of ₹33,317 crore and a loan of ₹6,000 crore
- D. A grant of ₹36,290 crore and a loan of ₹3,027 crore
Q7. At the Khajuraho event at which the Ken-Betwa River Linking National Project was launched, the Prime Minister also inaugurated a solar facility that is India's largest floating solar park. Which one of the following is that facility?
- A. The Shajapur solar power project in Shajapur district of Madhya Pradesh
- B. The Omkareshwar solar park on the Narmada reservoir in Khandwa district
- C. The Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Park of 750 MW capacity in Rewa district
- D. The Neemuch solar power project in Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh
Q8. Consider the following statements comparing the parameters announced for the Ken-Betwa Link Project at its launch with those assessed at the time of its approval by the Union Cabinet:
1. The irrigation potential of about 11 lakh hectares projected for the Daudhan Dam at the launch is close to the annual irrigation of 10.62 lakh hectares assessed at the time of Cabinet approval.
2. The project was launched on the birth centenary of a former Prime Minister, and it is the country's first river interlinking project under the National Perspective Plan.
3. The construction period announced at the launch was eight years, a downward revision of the schedule originally approved by the Cabinet.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The irrigation potential of about 11 lakh hectares projected for the Daudhan Dam at the launch is close to the annual irrigation of 10.62 lakh hectares assessed at the time of Cabinet approval.
- The project was launched on the birth centenary of a former Prime Minister, and it is the country's first river interlinking project under the National Perspective Plan.
- The construction period announced at the launch was eight years, a downward revision of the schedule originally approved by the Cabinet.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q9. Which one of the following most accurately describes what the 'link' in the Ken-Betwa Link Project physically consists of?
- A. A tunnel that permanently diverts the entire flow of the Ken into the Betwa without any storage structure
- B. A barrage on the Betwa that lifts water back into the Ken in all lean seasons for the benefit of Bundelkhand
- C. A canal carrying water from the Daudhan reservoir on the Ken to the Betwa, along with the Lower Orr Project, Kotha Barrage and Bina Complex
- D. A pipeline network exclusively for drinking water supply to the towns of Bundelkhand, with no irrigation component
Q10. Consider the following statements about inter-State agreements for river link projects under the National Perspective Plan:
1. The Memorandum of Agreement for the Ken-Betwa Link Project was signed among Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and the Government of India in March 2021.
2. The Memorandum of Agreement for the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project, signed in December 2024, is between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
3. The Ken-Betwa agreement was signed by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti along with the Chief Ministers of the two party States.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Memorandum of Agreement for the Ken-Betwa Link Project was signed among Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and the Government of India in March 2021.
- The Memorandum of Agreement for the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project, signed in December 2024, is between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
- The Ken-Betwa agreement was signed by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti along with the Chief Ministers of the two party States.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q11. Consider the following statements comparing the expenditure and outlay figures relating to the Ken-Betwa Link Project:
1. Of the expenditure reported on the project up to July 2025, more than two-thirds had been borne by the Union Government.
2. The total cost assessed at 2020-21 price levels exceeds ₹44,000 crore, of which the approved central support is about ₹39,000 crore.
3. The allocation for the interlinking of rivers programme in 2026-27 exceeds the total amount spent on the Ken-Betwa Link Project up to July 2025.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Of the expenditure reported on the project up to July 2025, more than two-thirds had been borne by the Union Government.
- The total cost assessed at 2020-21 price levels exceeds ₹44,000 crore, of which the approved central support is about ₹39,000 crore.
- The allocation for the interlinking of rivers programme in 2026-27 exceeds the total amount spent on the Ken-Betwa Link Project up to July 2025.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3