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?
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- ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Show answer
Answer: (C) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Statement-I is correct:
According to the UN World Water Development Report 2022, India extracts about 26% of the world's groundwater.
Statement-II is wrong:
The main reason for India's excessive groundwater use is subsidized/free electricity for agriculture combined with government crop procurement policies, which encourage water-intensive crops even in semi-arid regions.
So Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is not.
Answer is (c).
India extracts about 26% of global groundwater annually despite having only 18% of world population, creating a massive water sustainability crisis.
The UN World Water Development Report 2022 highlighted India's groundwater overuse, making this a key current affairs topic for UPSC.
The question tests whether students understand that India's groundwater crisis is caused by agricultural policies and subsidies, not just population needs.
India's Groundwater Extraction - Global Scenario
Geography groundwater withdrawal World Water Development Report
India's Groundwater Extraction: Global Context & Key Facts
India extracts 26% of world's groundwater annually (UN World Water Development Report 2022)
India has 18% of world's population but disproportionate groundwater use
Main cause: agricultural subsidies and water-intensive crops, not population needs
Free electricity for farming drives excessive groundwater pumping
India's groundwater extraction is massively disproportionate to its population share. While housing 18% of world's people, India pumps over a quarter of global groundwater - creating a severe water crisis.
India vs World: Water Reality
Parameter | India's Share | World Context | Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
Population | 18% | 1.4 billion people | Large but proportionate |
Groundwater Extraction | 26% | Quarter of global use | Disproportionately high |
Freshwater Resources | 4% | Limited availability | Severe water stress |
Agricultural Land | 11% | Intensive cultivation | High irrigation demand |
Why India Extracts Excessive Groundwater
Free/subsidized electricity for agriculture - farmers pump unlimited water without cost consideration
Government crop procurement - guarantees purchase of water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane
Green Revolution legacy - focus on high-yield varieties that need more water
Inefficient irrigation - flood irrigation instead of drip/sprinkler systems
Weak groundwater regulation - limited monitoring and enforcement of extraction limits
The UN World Water Development Report 2022 highlighted India's unsustainable water use pattern. The report specifically noted that India's groundwater extraction of 26% far exceeds what population-based needs would justify.
Trap: Statement-II sounds logical (more population = more water needs) but ignores agricultural misuse
Key distinction: Population needs vs actual usage patterns - agriculture, not drinking water, drives groundwater extraction
Common error: Assuming groundwater use is proportional to population - it's driven by policy incentives
UPSC pattern: Tests whether you know causes behind statistics, not just the numbers
Agricultural Water Policies & Groundwater Crisis
Geography subsidized electricity water-intensive crops
How Agricultural Policies Drive India's Groundwater Crisis
Free electricity for agriculture enables unlimited groundwater pumping
MSP for water-intensive crops like rice/sugarcane encourages excessive cultivation
Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan are worst affected by groundwater depletion
Drip irrigation adoption remains low despite government schemes
Policy Chain Leading to Groundwater Crisis
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Free Electricity Policy**
State governments provide **free/heavily subsidized power** to farmers`"]
s2["`**Zero Pumping Cost**
Farmers face **no cost constraint** on groundwater extraction`"]
s3["`**Water-Intensive Crop Choice**
Cultivation of **rice, sugarcane, wheat** even in water-scarce regions`"]
s4["`**MSP Guarantee**
Government **assured procurement** makes water-intensive crops profitable`"]
s5["`**Groundwater Depletion**
**Water table drops**, wells dry up, long-term crisis`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Water-Intensive Crops vs Water Availability
Crop | Water Requirement | Major Growing States | Policy Issue |
|---|---|---|---|
Rice (Kharif) | 1500-2000 mm | Punjab, Haryana, UP | MSP incentivizes cultivation in semi-arid regions |
Sugarcane | 1800-2500 mm | UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka | High water need but profitable due to FRP |
Cotton | 700-1300 mm | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana | Bt cotton requires intensive irrigation |
Wheat | 450-650 mm | Punjab, Haryana, MP | Requires 4-6 irrigations during winter |
States Facing Severe Groundwater Depletion
Punjab: Over-exploitation due to rice-wheat cycle, 79% blocks overexploited
Haryana: Groundwater level declining by 20-30 cm annually in some districts
Rajasthan: Desert state but cultivating water-intensive crops due to canal irrigation
Gujarat: Groundwater depletion in Saurashtra and North Gujarat regions
Tamil Nadu: Chennai water crisis highlighted urban groundwater depletion
Don't blame population: Water crisis is policy-driven, not population-driven
MSP vs FRP confusion: MSP for rice/wheat, FRP (Fair & Remunerative Price) for sugarcane
Free vs subsidized: Some states give completely free electricity, others heavily subsidize
Cropping pattern matters: Same state can have water surplus and deficit depending on crop choice
UN World Water Development Report
World Affairs (International Relations) World Water Development Report 2022
UN World Water Development Report: Key Findings & India Context
Published annually by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water
Highlighted India's 26% share in global groundwater extraction
2022 report theme: 'Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible'
Focuses on sustainable water resource management globally
The UN World Water Development Report is the flagship UN publication on water resources, released annually since 2003. The 2022 edition specifically focused on groundwater - the 'invisible' water resource that supports billions of people worldwide.
Recent UN Water Report Themes
Year | Theme | Key Focus | India Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Partnerships and Cooperation | Collaborative water management | Transboundary river cooperation |
2022 | Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible | Groundwater sustainability | India's excessive extraction highlighted |
2021 | Valuing Water | Economic value of water | Water pricing and subsidies |
2020 | Water and Climate Change | Climate resilience | Monsoon variability impact |
2022 Report: Key Global Findings
Groundwater provides 50% of domestic water and 40% of irrigation water globally
Over-extraction is occurring in many regions - aquifers being depleted faster than recharge
India, Pakistan, Iran, Mexico identified as countries with severe groundwater stress
Climate change affecting groundwater recharge patterns and availability
Poor governance and lack of monitoring systems worsen groundwater crisis
Publishing body: Report is by UNESCO, not UNDP or UNEP
Annual vs periodic: Released every year during World Water Day (March 22)
Theme rotation: Each year focuses on different water aspects - groundwater was 2022 specific
Data source: UPSC often quotes exact percentages from these reports - memorize key numbers
Groundwater Management in India
Geography
Groundwater Management: Challenges & Solutions in India
Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) regulates groundwater extraction
Micro-irrigation schemes promote water-efficient farming
Jal Shakti Abhiyan focuses on groundwater recharge and conservation
Atal Bhujal Yojana incentivizes community-based groundwater management
Groundwater Governance Framework
# Groundwater Management India
## Regulatory Bodies
- **CGWA** (Central Ground Water Authority)
- State Ground Water Departments
- District Collectors
## Key Schemes
- **Atal Bhujal Yojana**
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan
- PMKSY - Per Drop More Crop
## Technical Solutions
- Rainwater Harvesting
- **Artificial Recharge**
- Drip/Sprinkler Irrigation
- Crop Diversification
## Challenges
- Free Electricity Policy
- Weak Enforcement
- Lack of Awareness
- Inter-state DisputesGovernment Initiatives for Groundwater Conservation
Scheme/Initiative | Focus Area | Key Features | Target States |
|---|---|---|---|
Atal Bhujal Yojana | Community participation | Incentive-based groundwater management | Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, MP, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan |
PMKSY - Per Drop More Crop | Micro-irrigation | Drip & sprinkler irrigation subsidies | All states with focus on water-stressed regions |
Jal Shakti Abhiyan | Water conservation | Rainwater harvesting, recharge structures | 256 water-stressed districts |
National Aquifer Mapping | Scientific assessment | Groundwater resource mapping | Entire country - phased approach |
Successful Groundwater Conservation Models
Rajasthan's Tarun Bharat Sangh: Community-led johads (earthen dams) recharged groundwater in Alwar
Gujarat's participatory groundwater management: Farmer cooperatives monitor water levels
Andhra Pradesh's Zero Budget Natural Farming: Reduces water dependency through organic methods
Maharashtra's Jalyukt Shivar: Comprehensive watershed development increased groundwater levels
Punjab's diversification efforts: Shifting from rice-wheat to less water-intensive crops
CGWA powers: Can restrict/prohibit groundwater extraction but implementation is weak
Atal Bhujal vs Jal Jeevan: Atal Bhujal for groundwater, Jal Jeevan Mission for tap water connections
PMKSY components: Har Khet Ko Pani + Per Drop More Crop + watershed development
Success stories: Know specific examples like Rajasthan's johads, Gujarat's community management