Water

16 UPSC Mains GS I questions on Water, 2013 to 2026, newest first, as UPSC set them. See also practice questions on Water toppers answered.

1. 2026 Q7“Water resources are both an asset and a source of conflict in South Asia.” Examine this statement giving examples.10 marks · 150 words
2. 2025 Q17Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources.15 marks · 250 words
3. 2024 Q14The groundwater potential of the gangetic valley is on a serious decline. How may it affect the food security of India?15 marks · 250 words
4. 2023 Q5Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources?10 marks · 150 words
5. 2021 Q6What are the environmental implications of the reclamation of water bodies into urban land use ? Explain with examples.10 marks · 150 words
6. 2020 Q6How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India ?10 marks · 150 words
7. 2020 Q14The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods and interrupted navigation. Critically examine.15 marks · 250 words
8. 2019 Q14What is water stress ? How and why does it differ regionally in India ?15 marks · 250 words
9. 2018 Q14“The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system.” How can it be made effective in urban areas ?15 marks · 250 words
10. 2017 Q16In what way can floods be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India ?15 marks · 250 words
11. 2016 Q15The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain.12.5 marks · 200 words
12. 2016 Q18Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.12.5 marks · 200 words
13. 2016 Q19Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.12.5 marks · 200 words
14. 2016 Q20In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India?12.5 marks · 200 words
15. 2015 Q16India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity.12.5 marks · 200 words
16. 2013 Q22(b)There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghats. Why?5 marks · 100 words

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination question papers, upsc.gov.in. Topics are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.