Q100. Which irrigation method conveys low-pressure water through pipes to individual plants?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I (9 June 2025, Shift 2)]
(A) Furrow irrigation
(B) Localised irrigation
(C) Tubewell irrigation
(D) Canal irrigation
Answer: (B) Localised irrigation
Explanation: Localized systems deliver limited quantities of water close to chosen plants rather than wetting the full field. Drip is a common example. Such targeted supply reduces unnecessary evaporation and can improve water productivity in dry regions.
Q99. Which combined source is an important leading contributor to irrigation in India?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I (6 June 2025, Shift 3)]
(A) Sub-irrigation
(B) Tube wells and canals
(C) Only rainwater harvesting
(D) Only tanks
Answer: (B) Tube wells and canals
Explanation: Groundwater lifted by tubewells and surface water distributed through canals together serve extensive Indian farmland. Tubewells offer local control while canal systems move river or reservoir water across larger command areas. Their relative importance varies by state.
Q98. A cultivable command area above 10,000 hectares denotes what class of irrigation project?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I (5 June 2025, Shift 3)]
(A) Local
(B) Micro
(C) Minor
(D) Major
Answer: (D) Major
Explanation: Indian irrigation projects are commonly classified by cultivable command area. Projects exceeding 10,000 hectares are major, those around 2,000–10,000 hectares medium, and smaller projects minor. The classification describes scale rather than water-delivery technology.
Q97. Which is not a disadvantage of irrigation?
[MPPKVVCL Assistant Engineer Civil (4 June 2025)]
(A) Soil salinisation
(B) Increased agricultural productivity
(C) Waterlogging
(D) Groundwater depletion
Answer: (B) Increased agricultural productivity
Explanation: Reliable irrigation generally raises crop productivity and permits additional cropping. Conversely, excessive application can cause waterlogging and salinity, while poorly regulated groundwater withdrawals lower aquifer levels. Increased production is therefore an intended benefit, not a disadvantage.
Q96. Which statement about saline soils in India is correct: (1) rich in nitrogen, (2) occur in arid, semiarid and waterlogged areas?
[UPSC CDS-I General Knowledge (13 April 2025)]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (B) 2 only
Explanation: Saline soils contain excessive soluble salts, rather than an abundance of nitrogen. They occur where evaporation exceeds leaching or drainage is poor. Irrigation without suitable drainage may aggravate salt accumulation and harm crop growth.
2024 Previous-Year Questions
Q95. Which state principally benefits from the Sirhind Canal?
[RPF SI CBT-I (12 December 2024, Shift 3)]
(A) Bihar
(B) Uttar Pradesh
(C) Punjab
(D) West Bengal
Answer: (C) Punjab
Explanation: The Sirhind Canal takes water from the Sutlej system near Ropar and serves agricultural tracts of Punjab. Established during the nineteenth century, the network made dependable canal irrigation possible in important grain-producing districts.
Q94. Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project is situated on which river?
[SSC JE Civil Engineering Paper-II (6 November 2024)]
(A) Kaveri
(B) Ganga
(C) Brahmaputra
(D) Godavari
Answer: (D) Godavari
Explanation: The Kaleshwaram system in Telangana lifts water from the Godavari using barrages, reservoirs, tunnels and pumping stages. Its design transfers water to areas above river level, where natural gravity distribution from the river alone would be insufficient.
Q93. Which factor does not directly determine the duty of irrigation canal water?
[SSC JE Civil Engineering Paper-II (6 November 2024)]
(A) Soil properties
(B) Cultivation methods
(C) Water-application method
(D) Reservoir storage
Answer: (D) Reservoir storage
Explanation: Duty is the area irrigated per unit discharge over a crop period. Soil infiltration, canal losses, agronomic practices and field application affect its value. Reservoir capacity is a storage characteristic rather than an immediate duty-determining factor.
Q92. Which of these dams belongs to the Damodar Valley Corporation system?
[SSC MTS (30 September 2024, Shift 2)]
(A) Maithon
(B) Rihand
(C) Koyna
(D) Salal
Answer: (A) Maithon
Explanation: Maithon Dam is built on the Barakar River, a Damodar tributary, and forms part of the Damodar Valley Corporation’s reservoir network. DVC projects combine flood moderation with irrigation, power generation and industrial water supply.
Q91. Which traditional water-harvesting arrangement is found in Jaisalmer?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (12 September 2024, Shift 3)]
(A) Guls
(B) Johads
(C) Khadins
(D) Kuls
Answer: (C) Khadins
Explanation: Khadins are traditional runoff-farming structures of western Rajasthan. A bund holds stormwater briefly across gently sloping land, allowing moisture to soak into the soil so crops can be grown with stored soil moisture.
