Consider the following statements : Statement-I : According to the United Nations' 'World Water Development Report, 2022', India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year. Statement-II : India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world's population living in its territory. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Why the answer is (c)
• Statement-I is correct: the UN World Water Development Report 2022 notes that India is the world's largest groundwater user, accounting for over a quarter of global withdrawals.
• Statement-II is incorrect: about 90% of India's groundwater is used for irrigation, not for drinking water and sanitation; and the extraction is a consequence of subsidised power and water-intensive cropping, not a 'need' arising from population share.
• Over-extraction has made many blocks in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu 'over-exploited'.
• Hence Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation…
- Statement-II is wrong: most groundwater goes to irrigation, not drinking and sanitation.
- (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct…
- Statement-II is wrong, so both cannot be correct.
- (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
- Statement-I is correct: India draws over a quarter of global groundwater.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, held on 28 May 2023. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.