Q60. Which is not a reason for developing irrigation?
[MPPGCL JE Civil (29 April 2023, Shift 2)]
(A) Low rainfall
(B) Uncontrolled supply of water
(C) Perennial crops
(D) Uneven rainfall
Answer: (B) Uncontrolled supply of water
Explanation: The purpose of irrigation is to control water delivery according to crop needs. Low or erratic rainfall and perennial crop requirements create demand for planned supply, while an uncontrolled flow risks both waste and land degradation.
Q59. Which effects of irrigation are considered correct:
S1 increased food output,
S2 improved groundwater storage,
S3 greater mixed-cropping tendency?
[MPPGCL JE Civil (29 April 2023, Shift 2)]
(A) All three
(B) S1 and S2 only
(C) S1 and S3 only
(D) S2 and S3 only
Answer: (B) S1 and S2 only
Explanation: Reliable irrigation commonly raises food output and canal seepage may recharge groundwater in a command area. The assertion that it necessarily encourages mixed cropping is not accepted here; dependable water can favour more specialized cropping patterns.
Q58. An irrigation outlet serves 2,200 hectares of sugarcane at 17 cm kor depth in 30 days. What flow is required?
[MPPGCL JE Civil (29 April 2023, Shift 1)]
(A) 1.54 cubic m/s
(B) 1.44 cubic m/s
(C) 1.30 cubic m/s
(D) 1.65 cubic m/s
Answer: (B) 1.44 cubic m/s
Explanation: Required volume equals 2,200 × 10,000 × 0.17 = 3,740,000 cubic metres. Dividing by 30 × 86,400 seconds gives approximately 1.44 cubic metres per second. This assumes continuous delivery during the stated kor period.
Q57. Identify the true statements:
(1) irrigation helps during deficient rain,
(2) uneven rain makes irrigation important,
(3) water can improve arid cropland.
[MPPGCL JE Civil (29 April 2023, Shift 1)]
(A) Only 1 true
(B) Only 3 true
(C) All three true
(D) All three false
Answer: (C) All three true
Explanation: Irrigation supplements inadequate rainfall, smooths seasonal variability and makes crop growth possible in some naturally dry regions. Feasibility still depends on available water, soil conditions, drainage and suitable management to avoid salinisation.
Q56. Which are important sources of irrigation water in India?
[BPSC Assistant (28 April 2023)]
(A) Wells
(B) Ponds
(C) Canals
(D) All of these
Answer: (D) All of these
Explanation: Indian farmers draw water from several complementary sources. Wells access groundwater, ponds store runoff and canals convey river or reservoir supplies. Their suitability depends on local geology, rainfall, topography and infrastructure.
Q55. In which Five-Year Plan was agriculture and irrigation’s percentage allocation highest?
[NDA General Ability Test (16 April 2023)]
(A) Seventh
(B) Third
(C) First
(D) Second
Answer: (C) First
Explanation: The First Five-Year Plan, covering 1951–56, gave exceptional priority to agricultural rehabilitation, food security and irrigation. Large water projects and community development featured prominently because food shortages and rural production were urgent development concerns.
Q54. Which set contains only traditional irrigation water-lifting devices?
[KVS PRT (24 February 2023, Shift 2)]
(A) Moat, chain pump, rahat, ploughshare
(B) Moat, chain pump, dhekli, ploughshare
(C) Rahat, seed drill, plough, dhekli
(D) Moat, chain pump, dhekli, rahat
Answer: (D) Moat, chain pump, dhekli, rahat
Explanation: Moat, chain pump, dhekli and rahat are traditional devices that lift or draw water for fields. A plough and seed drill instead prepare soil or sow seeds, making them agricultural implements rather than irrigation technologies.
Q53. Which condition is favourable for sprinkler irrigation?
[UPSC ESE Civil Prelims (19 February 2023)]
(A) Regular terrain only
(B) Soil that is never erodible
(C) Low water table alone
(D) Highly permeable soil
Answer: (D) Highly permeable soil
Explanation: Sprinklers apply water at adjustable rates and work on irregular terrain. On very permeable land they can deliver smaller applications than uncontrolled flooding, helping match the infiltration capacity and avoid unnecessary deep drainage.
Q52. Where was sprinkler irrigation made compulsory across the command area of a major Rajasthan project?
[Rajasthan CET Senior Secondary (11 February 2023, Shift 1)]
(A) Bisalpur
(B) Narmada Canal
(C) Jakham
(D) Mahi Bajaj Sagar
Answer: (B) Narmada Canal
Explanation: The Rajasthan portion of the Narmada Canal Project requires sprinkler irrigation across its designated command. Pressure application is intended to use limited transferred water efficiently, especially in dry western districts where conventional flooding is wasteful.
Q51. Which Sutlej basin project was developed for both irrigation and hydroelectricity?
[SSC GD Constable (6 February 2023, Shift 2)]
(A) Nagarjuna project
(B) Hirakud project
(C) Bhakra–Nangal project
(D) Sardar Sarovar
Answer: (C) Bhakra–Nangal project
Explanation: Bhakra–Nangal is a multipurpose system on the Sutlej. Stored and diverted water serves an extensive northern canal network while the dam and associated works produce hydroelectricity. The other named schemes belong to different river systems.
