GS3 · Topic
Irrigation and Water
Irrigation systems and their types, groundwater depletion, micro-irrigation, river linking, water-use efficiency in farming.
56 UPSC Mains GS3 questions on Irrigation and Water that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Despite being a major contributor to the Indian economy, the agriculture sector is plagued by several constraints that impede its growth and development. Discuss the role of technology in overcoming these constraints.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 13 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Agri-technologyCrops and Cropping Patterns
Evaluate the impact of irrigation on the environment and natural resources, and suggest measures to ensure the sustainability and equity of irrigation practices in agriculture.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 13 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Irrigation and WaterCrops and Cropping Patterns
Micro-irrigation has tremendous potential in transforming farming into a profitable and sustainable venture. Discuss the given statement in the context of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Irrigation and WaterAgri-technology
Farm policies in the country have inadvertently led to undesirable consequences. Do you agree? Giving emphasis on PM PRANAM, discuss ways to enhance soil health and farm productivity.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023
Subsidies and MSPCrops and Cropping Patterns
In what ways can precision agriculture become a panacea for multipronged challenges plaguing the agriculture sector? Discuss. Also, analyse various impediments in widespread adoption of precision farming in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2020–2025
Agri-technologyCrops and Cropping Patterns
The existing MSP procurement regime is neither economically nor agro-ecologically sustainable. Elaborate. Also, evaluate the alternative approaches that can be adopted to improve the existing MSP regime.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Subsidies and MSPCrops and Cropping Patterns
How does agricultural runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides contribute to environmental pollution? What measures can be taken to mitigate the impact of agricultural runoff?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
PollutionEnvironmental Governance
'Water use efficiency is the keystone in the sustainable development of the Indian agriculture sector.' Examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Irrigation and WaterAgri-technology
Micro-irrigation systems can revolutionize Indian agriculture, but adoption remains limited. In this context, discuss how micro-irrigation can help in sustainable water management. What are the barriers to its widespread adoption? Suggest measures to overcome them.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Irrigation and WaterAgri-technology
Several initiatives have been taken by the government towards addressing India's water needs, but the issues of water availability and water quality still warrant prioritised intervention. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Irrigation and WaterAgricultural Marketing
In the era of climate change and growing water scarcity, how can micro-irrigation systems contribute to sustainable agricultural practices in India?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Irrigation and WaterClimate Change
Do you think there is a need for a shift from 'land productivity' to 'irrigation water productivity' in India? Justify your answer. What are the challenges in making this shift? Explain.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Irrigation and WaterCrops and Cropping Patterns
“The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) aims to achieve ‘more crop per drop’, yet irrigation efficiency in India remains suboptimal.” Critically analyse. What reforms are needed to strengthen its implementation?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Irrigation and WaterAgri-technology
"The agricultural subsidy regime in the country needs reforms to address the distortions it causes." Comment.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2017–2025
Subsidies and MSPCrops and Cropping Patterns
India's approach to deal with water issues in the overall political and security context needs a holistic strategy. Examine.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022
Irrigation and WaterEnvironmental Governance
Overexploitation strains the quality as well as the quantity of our groundwater resources. Analyze.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Irrigation and WaterCrops and Cropping Patterns
Identifying the need for a climate resilient agriculture in India, discuss how it can be achieved.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021–2022
Climate ChangeCrops and Cropping Patterns
The rainfed nature of India's agriculture makes it more susceptible to climate change. Highlight the importance of quality irrigation in the climate-adaptability of agriculture. What measures can be undertaken to improve the overall efficiency of the available irrigation practices in India?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Irrigation and WaterClimate Change
Assess the role of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) in expanding irrigation coverage and improving on-farm water use efficiency.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Irrigation and WaterAgri-technology
The skewed emphasis on certain crops has distorted the cropping pattern in India, which has led to grave socio-economic and environmental consequences. Elaborate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Crops and Cropping PatternsSubsidies and MSP
"There is a serious mismatch between the cropping pattern of certain crops and availability of water resources in certain states." In this light, discuss the impact of government incentives in creating this mismatch and suggest some innovative measures to address the same.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Crops and Cropping PatternsIrrigation and Water
Explaining the concept of Integrated Water Resource Management, discuss how it can help in addressing the gaps in the present system of water management in India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Irrigation and Water
The two major challenges before Indian agriculture today are ecological and economical. Highlight these challenges and suggest remedial measures with special reference to the M.S Swaminathan report.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Crops and Cropping PatternsAgricultural Marketing
What is precision agriculture? How can precision agriculture help in optimizing crop production and resource management?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Agri-technologyCrops and Cropping Patterns
Define precision agriculture. How can it help in optimizing crop production and resource management?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Agri-technologyCrops and Cropping Patterns
The coexistence of physical and economic water scarcity in Indian agriculture reflects a deeper crisis in water governance. Examine the factors contributing to this and suggest reforms to make irrigation more equitable and sustainable.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Irrigation and WaterCrops and Cropping Patterns
Interlinking of rivers can solve the problem of drought and floods in India. Critically evaluate
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Irrigation and WaterDisaster Management
Farm mechanization can drive rural prosperity and sustainable farming, but its widespread adoption is hindered by various factors. Discuss. Also, mention initiatives taken by the government to promote farm mechanization in the country.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Agri-technologyCrops and Cropping Patterns
Critically evaluate the performance of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) in making agricultural land more productive and improving the lives of the farmers in India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Irrigation and WaterAgri-technology
Cropping pattern in the country does not concur with the agro-climatic reality, leading to unintended and undesirable consequences. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsIrrigation and Water