Consider the following statements : 1. 36% of India's districts are classified as "overexploited" or "critical" by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). 2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act. 3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 2 only
- (d) 1 and 3 only
Why the answer is (b)
• Statement 2 is correct: the Central Ground Water Authority was constituted in 1997 under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate groundwater extraction.
• Statement 3 is correct: India has the world's largest area under groundwater irrigation (about 39 million ha) and is the largest groundwater extractor.
• Statement 1 is wrong: the Central Ground Water Board (not CGWA) assesses blocks/mandals, not districts; its 2017 assessment put about 17% of units as over-exploited and 5% as critical, not 36% of districts.
• Hence 2 and 3 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: the figure and the assessing body are misstated.
- (c) 2 only
- Statement 3 is also correct: India leads in groundwater-irrigated area.
- (d) 1 and 3 only
- Statement 1 is wrong; statement 2 is correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.