UPSC Prelims 2023 · Question 96 of 97

UPSC Prelims 2023 question on World Water Development Report 2022

Consider the following 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.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
  2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
  3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
  4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Show answer

Answer: C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

Statement I – CORRECT: According to United Nations' World Water Development Report 2022, India accounts for nearly 26% of groundwater abstracted globally. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest groundwater abstractor in the world, containing seven of the ten countries that extract most groundwater. Hence statement 1 is correct.

Statement II – INCORRECT: India, as the largest groundwater user globally at an estimated 251 km³ per year abstracted, uses 89% of its groundwater abstraction for irrigation — NOT for drinking water and sanitation. Reduced electricity tariffs or free electricity to agriculture and assured government procurement encourages farmers to grow water-intensive crops, causing unprecedented groundwater depletion. Hence statement 2 is not correct.

Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect → Option (c).

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