UPSC Geography of India – Chapter 17: Irrigation, Agricultural Development and Allied Activities (23 MCQs)

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UPSC Geography of India – Chapter 17: Irrigation, Agricultural Development and Allied Activities (23 MCQs) – 23 questions, subject: Geography. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The largest source of irrigation in India is:

Correct Answer: A [wells and tube wells]

Explanation:

Wells and tube wells irrigate over 60 per cent of the net irrigated area, far more than canals or tanks.

2.  

Tank irrigation is most common in:

Correct Answer: D [Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh]

Explanation:

The hard crystalline rocks of the Peninsula hold little groundwater, so rain is stored in tanks behind earthen bunds.

3.  

A "major" irrigation project has a culturable command area of more than:

Correct Answer: C [10,000 hectares]

Explanation:

Projects are classed by culturable command area; a major project commands more than 10,000 hectares.

4.  

The Hirakud dam is built across the:

Correct Answer: B [Mahanadi]

Explanation:

Hirakud, one of the longest earthen dams, stands on the Mahanadi near Sambalpur in Odisha.

5.  

The Bhakra–Nangal project is on the river:

Correct Answer: B [Sutlej]

Explanation:

Bhakra–Nangal is on the Sutlej; the Bhakra dam impounds the Gobind Sagar reservoir.

6.  

The Indira Gandhi Canal takes off from the:

Correct Answer: C [Harike barrage]

Explanation:

The Indira Gandhi Canal takes off from the Harike barrage, at the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas in Punjab.

7.  

The first multipurpose river valley corporation of independent India, modelled on the Tennessee Valley Authority, was set up on the:

Correct Answer: D [Damodar]

Explanation:

1948.

8.  

The Grand Anicut (Kallanai) is across the river:

Correct Answer: B [Kaveri]

Explanation:

The Grand Anicut (Kallanai), attributed to Karikala Chola, stands across the Kaveri in Tamil Nadu.

9.  

"Per Drop More Crop" is a component of:

Correct Answer: A [PMKSY]

Explanation:

PMKSY (2015) has two slogans, Har Khet Ko Pani and Per Drop More Crop, the micro-irrigation component.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Waterlogging and salinity are problems of canal-irrigated areas.
2. Over-pumping of tube wells lowers water tables.
3. Drip irrigation uses more water than flood irrigation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Canal areas suffer waterlogging and salinity and over-pumping lowers water tables; drip saves water, so statement 3 is false.

11.  

Assertion (A): Tanks are an important source of irrigation in the Peninsula.

Reason (R): The hard crystalline rocks of the Peninsula hold little groundwater, and rain can be stored behind earthen bunds.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Tanks matter in the Peninsula precisely because hard rock holds little groundwater and rain can be stored behind bunds.

12.  

The high-yielding dwarf wheat varieties of the Green Revolution were developed by:

Correct Answer: C [Norman Borlaug in Mexico]

Explanation:

Norman Borlaug bred the high-yielding dwarf wheat varieties in Mexico; M.S. Swaminathan led their adoption in India.

13.  

Aflatoxins in improperly stored grain are produced by:

Correct Answer: B [moulds]

Explanation:

Aflatoxins are toxins made by moulds (fungi such as Aspergillus) growing on badly stored grain and oilseeds.

14.  

The e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) was launched in:

Correct Answer: D [2016]

Explanation:

e-NAM, the online platform linking APMC markets, was launched in April 2016.

15.  

Operation Flood, the "White Revolution", began in:

Correct Answer: C [1970]

Explanation:

Operation Flood was launched by the NDDB in 1970 and built milk cooperatives on the Anand pattern.

16.  

Muga silk is unique to:

Correct Answer: D [Assam]

Explanation:

Muga, the golden silk, is produced only in Assam and is unique to that State.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Operation Flood
2. Damodar Valley Corporation
3. e-NAM
4. National Dairy Development Board

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-4-1-3]

Explanation:

1948, 1965, 1970, 2016.

18.  

The Todas of the Nilgiris are traditionally known for rearing:

Correct Answer: A [buffaloes]

Explanation:

The Todas, a pastoral tribe of the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, traditionally rear buffaloes.

19.  

The Changpa pastoralists live mainly in:

Correct Answer: C [Ladakh]

Explanation:

The Changpa live on the Changthang plateau of Ladakh, where they rear Pashmina goats, yaks and sheep.

20.  

India is the world's largest producer of:

Correct Answer: D [milk]

Explanation:

India has been the world's largest milk producer since the late 1990s, helped by Operation Flood.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the 'Seed Replacement Rates' of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/constraints in its wider/greater implementation?

1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place.
2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops.
3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high-volume crops.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: B [3 only]

Explanation:

Only statement 3 is a real constraint: India has a seeds policy (2002) and private firms supply vegetable seed.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

With reference to 'Changpa' community of India, consider the following statements:

1. They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand.
2. They rear the Pashmina goats that yield fine wool.
3. They are kept in the category of Scheduled Tribes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]

Explanation:

they live in Ladakh.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2013

Improper handling and storage of cereal grains and oilseeds result in the production of toxins known as aflatoxins which are not generally destroyed by normal cooking process. Aflatoxins are produced by

Correct Answer: C [moulds]

Explanation:

Aflatoxins are produced by moulds, chiefly Aspergillus fungi, on improperly stored cereals and oilseeds.

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