Q150. Which is India’s largest multipurpose river-valley project among the options?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (18 June 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Damodar Valley Project
(B) Bhakra–Nangal Project
(C) Sardar Sarovar Project
(D) Hirakud Project
Answer: (B) Bhakra–Nangal Project
Explanation: The Bhakra–Nangal project on the Sutlej is identified as the largest multipurpose river-valley project in this examination. It combines reservoir storage, major canal irrigation, flood moderation and generation of hydroelectricity.
Q149. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam was built across which river?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (16 June 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Krishna
(B) Godavari
(C) Tungabhadra
(D) Bhima
Answer: (A) Krishna
Explanation: Nagarjuna Sagar is a major masonry dam constructed on the Krishna at the border of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Its canals irrigate extensive farmland, and the reservoir is important for regional water storage and power generation.
Q148. In which regions has canal irrigation expanded most extensively in India?
[RRB NTPC (UG) CBT-I (14 June 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Coastal sandy soils
(B) High-rainfall steep slopes
(C) Rocky desert terrain
(D) Alluvial plains with perennial rivers
Answer: (D) Alluvial plains with perennial rivers
Explanation: Extensive alluvial plains are comparatively easy to excavate and permit gravity-fed distribution. Rivers such as the Ganga and Yamuna provide sustained water supplies. Together, gentle gradients and perennial sources favour the construction of large, interconnected canal systems.
Q147. New crops such as sugarcane and improved irrigation during the Sultanate led mainly to what?
[SSC GD Constable (31 May 2026, Shift 3)]
(A) Declining agriculture
(B) Agricultural diversification and higher surplus
(C) Greater dependence on food imports
(D) Abandonment of traditional crops
Answer: (B) Agricultural diversification and higher surplus
Explanation: Irrigation devices such as waterwheels and improved canals allowed cultivation to extend beyond immediate rainfall patterns. Coupled with new or expanded crop production, more dependable water promoted agricultural diversification and greater marketed surplus.
Q146. Which was not a major challenge to Indian agriculture during 1950–1990?
[SSC GD Constable (19 May 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Fragmented landholdings
(B) Monsoon dependence
(C) Low use of irrigation and fertilizers
(D) Very high rural literacy reducing farm labour
Answer: (D) Very high rural literacy reducing farm labour
Explanation: Historically, Indian agriculture faced uncertain monsoon rainfall, small holdings and limited modern inputs or assured irrigation. Very high rural literacy was not a defining constraint during this period, making that choice the exception.
Q145. The Kosi–Mechi intrastate river-linking irrigation project belongs to which state?
[SSC GD Constable (18 May 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Bihar
(B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) Kerala
(D) Tamil Nadu
Answer: (A) Bihar
Explanation: The Kosi–Mechi link is a Bihar project planned to transfer surplus Kosi water toward the Mechi system. Its expected benefits include irrigation for agricultural areas in the northeastern part of the state.
Q144. Which ancient work mentions arrangements for water irrigation?
[Bihar Police SI Mains GS, memory-based (17 May 2026)]
(A) Arthashastra
(B) Nitisara
(C) Ashtadhyayi
(D) Shad-darshanas
Answer: (A) Arthashastra
Explanation: Kautilya’s Arthashastra discusses agriculture, state revenue and the creation and oversight of waterworks. Its references to reservoirs, embankments and canals show that irrigation administration was a recognized concern in ancient Indian governance.
Q143. Which state mainly practises tank irrigation because of uneven terrain and limited rainfall?
[RRB NTPC (UG) CBT-I (9 May 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Himachal Pradesh
(B) West Bengal
(C) Haryana
(D) Karnataka
Answer: (D) Karnataka
Explanation: Karnataka has extensive undulating plateau terrain with natural depressions suitable for storing seasonal runoff. Tanks can retain monsoon water for agriculture during drier months, especially where establishing large gravity-fed canals would be difficult or expensive.
Q142. Which method is most efficient for saving irrigation water?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (9 May 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Flood irrigation
(B) Canal irrigation
(C) Sprinkler irrigation
(D) Drip irrigation
Answer: (D) Drip irrigation
Explanation: Drip emitters place water slowly near roots, wetting a smaller area of soil and reducing many evaporation and runoff losses. Compared with unrestricted field flooding it can use less water, provided installation and maintenance are adequate.
Q141. Which is the most widely used irrigation method in India?
[RRB NTPC (UG) CBT-I (8 May 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Surface irrigation
(B) Drip irrigation
(C) Sprinkler irrigation
(D) Subsurface irrigation
Answer: (A) Surface irrigation
Explanation: Surface irrigation applies water across fields mainly through gravity. Flooding, furrows, borders and basins are familiar forms. The system requires relatively simple infrastructure, although poor management may waste more water than well-designed micro-irrigation.