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General Studies 2024 GS Paper III 15 marks 250 words Compulsory State

GS Paper III — Q13

What are the major challenges faced by Indian irrigation system in recent times? State the measures taken by the government for…

What are the major challenges faced by Indian irrigation system in recent times? State the measures taken by the government for efficient irrigation management. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

हाल के दिनों में भारतीय सिंचाई प्रणाली के सामने क्या प्रमुख चुनौतियाँ हैं? कुशल सिंचाई प्रबंधन के लिए सरकार द्वारा अपनाए गए उपायों को बताइए। (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Q13 of the 2024 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper III, as printed
The question as printed in the 2024 General Studies paper
Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2024 General Studies questions

Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 250-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

Irrigation remains central to India’s food and fibre security, but recent times show mounting pressure on water availability, asset condition and institutional delivery.

Challenges Groundwater tables are depleting and falling in Punjab, Haryana and western UP due to water-intensive paddy-wheat monoculture, reducing recharge and increasing pumping costs. Canal networks suffer from poor maintenance, siltation, seepage and low conveyance efficiency, while surface irrigation has low water-use efficiency, often only 35–40%. Inter-state water disputes, delayed project completion and cost overruns in Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) projects weaken dependable supply and postpone command-area benefits. The combined effect is reduced assured irrigation, higher energy costs and greater vulnerability to drought.

Government Measures The government is responding through the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). Under Har Khet Ko Pani, Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) and Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) strengthen last-mile delivery, canal command coverage and on-farm water management. PMKSY’s Per Drop More Crop focus includes Micro-Irrigation Sub-Mission (MIS), drip and sprinkler promotion. Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) through Water User Associations (WUAs) also improves efficiency and farmer participation. Digital initiatives such as PMKSY (WD), IoT-based monitoring and the JALDOOT app for groundwater assessment support real-time monitoring, aquifer mapping and demand-side management. These interventions aim to raise command-area productivity, reduce water wastage and make irrigation less dependent on groundwater.

These steps move irrigation from mere expansion to efficient management; lasting gains require timely project completion, canal modernisation, crop diversification and stronger inter-state coordination, with sustained implementation, farmer ownership and basin-level planning.

What "State" is asking you to do

Give the formulation itself — the theorem, rule, statutory provision or position — worded accurately. Precision of wording is the whole of the mark; no background or justification is being asked for.

Structure that answers it

The statement in full, complete in itself → the conditions under which it holds → an illustration only where the stem asks for one

Where marks are lost

Approximating the wording. A theorem or a provision stated loosely forfeits the mark that exact statement would have carried.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: Situation > Analysis > Measures: legal, institutional, developmental > Assessment. challenges: 3-4 challenges > solutions mapped to them > conclusion Full marks: Precise challenges with specific, named government schemes mapped to each; strong analytical link.

Key points expected

  • 3-4 distinct challenges (e.g., water scarcity, inefficiency, pollution)
  • Measures mapped to specific challenges (not generic)
  • Mention of specific government schemes (e.g., PMKSY, Jal Jeevan Mission)
  • Balanced conclusion on the path forward

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Identify 3-4 major challenges and map specific government measures to them.  · 250 words

    challenges— 3-4 challenges → solutions mapped to them → conclusion

    Must cover

    • 3-4 distinct challenges (e.g., water scarcity, inefficiency, pollution)
    • Measures mapped to specific challenges (not generic)
    • Mention of specific government schemes (e.g., PMKSY, Jal Jeevan Mission)
    • Balanced conclusion on the path forward

    Loses marks

    • Listing challenges without corresponding solutions
    • Vague measures like 'awareness campaigns' without specifics
    • Ignoring the 'recent times' aspect (focusing only on history)

    Earns more

    • Reference to 'Har Khet Ko Pani' or 'More Crop Per Drop'
    • Mention of institutional reforms (e.g., Water Rights Act)
    • Data on canal losses or groundwater depletion
    • Mention of climate change impact on monsoon patterns

    Extra mark

    • Specific statistic on irrigation efficiency (e.g., 35-40%)
    • Reference to a specific state's success model (e.g., Andhra Pradesh)

Practice this exact question

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