Water Resources of India – UPSC & SSC Exam Notes | JKSSB Mock Test
💧 Water Resources of India
🔹 Introduction
Water is a renewable but finite resource. India, with 18% of the world’s population, has only 4% of the world’s freshwater. Managing water resources is essential for agriculture, industry, domestic use, and ecological balance.
🔹 Classification of Water Resources
- Surface Water – rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds.
- Groundwater – water stored in underground aquifers.
- Glacial Water – found in the Himalayas, feeding rivers like Ganga and Brahmaputra.
- Desalinated Water – in coastal areas via seawater purification.
🔹 Major River Basins in India
| River Basin | Main River | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Ganga Basin | Ganga | Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, West Bengal |
| Indus Basin | Indus | J&K, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh |
| Brahmaputra Basin | Brahmaputra | Arunachal Pradesh, Assam |
| Godavari Basin | Godavari | Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh |
| Krishna Basin | Krishna | Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh |
🔹 Groundwater in India
- India is the largest user of groundwater in the world.
- Used mainly for irrigation (60% of agricultural water).
- States with high groundwater use: Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan.
- Over-exploitation has led to groundwater depletion.
🔹 Uses of Water
- Agricultural Use – Major user (over 80% of water used in India).
- Industrial Use – Cooling, processing, manufacturing.
- Domestic Use – Drinking, cooking, sanitation.
- Hydropower – Renewable energy source.
- Navigation & Recreation
🔹 Major Dams and Reservoirs
| Dam | River | State |
|---|---|---|
| Bhakra Nangal | Sutlej | Himachal Pradesh |
| Sardar Sarovar | Narmada | Gujarat |
| Tehri Dam | Bhagirathi | Uttarakhand |
| Hirakud | Mahanadi | Odisha |
| Nagarjuna Sagar | Krishna | Telangana |
🔹 Challenges of Water Resources
- Pollution: Industrial waste, sewage, agricultural runoff.
- Overuse of groundwater: Falling water tables in states like Punjab & Rajasthan.
- Seasonal & spatial variation: Uneven rainfall distribution.
- River disputes: Cauvery, Krishna, Ravi-Beas conflicts.
- Climate change: Glacial melt and monsoon irregularities.
🔹 Major Water Conservation Efforts
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Rainwater harvesting & groundwater recharge.
- Namami Gange Programme – Cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga River.
- National Water Mission – “More crop per drop” initiative.
- PMKSY: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana for irrigation.
🔹 Important MCQs and One-Liners
- Q: Which river has the largest basin in India?
👉 A: Ganga ✅ - Q: India uses the most groundwater in the world? True or False?
👉 A: True ✅ - Q: Tehri Dam is built on which river?
👉 A: Bhagirathi ✅ - Q: Which programme aims to clean Ganga?
👉 A: Namami Gange ✅ - Q: Which river is called Dakshina Ganga?
👉 A: Godavari ✅
🔹 Quick Facts for Exams
- Total Renewable Water Resources: ~1,869 BCM/year
- Per capita water availability: ~1,486 m³ (2021)
- Water-stressed states: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
- Water-abundant states: Assam, Arunachal, Meghalaya, Kerala
- Biggest river basin: Ganga Basin (~26% of India’s area)
🔹 People Also Ask (FAQs)
- Q: Which is the longest river entirely in India?
A: Godavari - Q: What is the average annual rainfall in India?
A: ~1,100 mm - Q: What causes water scarcity in India?
A: Overuse, wastage, pollution, uneven rainfall - Q: Which is the largest freshwater lake in India?
A: Wular Lake (J&K)
🖚 Conclusion
Water is a critical national asset. Efficient use, conservation, and equitable distribution of water resources are essential for sustainable development in India. With schemes like Jal Shakti Abhiyan and Namami Gange, India is moving toward more sustainable water management, but the challenges remain immense due to climate change, population growth, and urbanization.
