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UPSC Prelims 2023 · Indian Geography · Minerals and Energy
Consider the following statements: Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- Statement-I: According to the United Nation's 'World Water Development Report, 2022', India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year.
- Statement-II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world's population living in its territory.
- (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
India is the top groundwater user, but farms — not drinking water — take most of it.
Statement by statement
1. ✓ CORRECT The UN World Water Development Report 2022 says India extracts about 25% of global groundwater.
2. ✗ WRONG Most of it (~90%) goes to irrigation, not drinking water and sanitation.
The idea
Groundwater withdrawal means pumping water from underground stores, not the amount of water stored there. A country’s large population alone cannot explain its total pumping. The use taking most of the water must be identified before testing an assertion–reason link.
Rain infiltrates the ground → Aquifer stores water → Wells pump water → Irrigation supports crop growth → Pumping may exceed local recharge → Water table falls
Why the others are wrong
(a) Treats drinking needs as the reason.
(b) Accepts the drinking-water claim.
(d) Rejects India’s top-user status.
The trap
The 18% population figure sounds like a neat reason. Irrigation is the real one.
Elimination technique
Drinking and sanitation are not the main explanation for farm-dominated pumping. That makes statement II false, removing (a), (b) and (d); the 2022 report claim must still be checked on its own.
Also know
An aquifer is a rock or sediment layer that stores and transmits groundwater. Recharge comes from infiltration; a falling water table means withdrawal is exceeding replenishment locally. Drip irrigation can reduce water use at a field, but basin-wide savings also depend on crop choice and the total irrigated area.
🔒 India: largest groundwater user (~25% of world); ~90% for irrigation.
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