Part of the General Studies-I question bank for OPSC (OAS) Mains.
A comprehensive, topic-wise practice set of 25 questions on Water Resources for OPSC (OAS) Mains General Studies-I. 8 of them have been set in an actual paper — the years and exams are printed against each (2026, 2024, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2006). The rest are practice questions on the same syllabus points.
Previous year questions
| No. | Question | Asked in |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Water resources are both an asset and a source of conflict in South Asia." Examine this statement giving examples. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2026 10 marks |
| 2 | Give a detailed account of the drainage system of Odisha. | OPSC OAS Mains 2024 15 marks |
| 3 | Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources? | UPSC Mains GS-I 2024 10 marks |
| 4 | Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2022 15 marks |
| 5 | Major river systems of the Mahanadi delta | OPSC OAS Mains 2019 4 marks |
| 6 | Water pollution in the rivers of Odisha | OPSC OAS Mains 2019 4 marks |
| 7 | Describe geographical causes of decay of Baitarani river system in the recent past. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 5 marks |
| 8 | Evaluate the impacts of internal river linkage projects on Indian agricultural system. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 GS Paper-I Q.5(b) · 10 marks |
| 9 | Describe the salient features of Mahanadi river system and its impact on agriculture of Odisha. | OPSC OAS Mains 2017 5 marks |
| 10 | Discuss the status of potentiality and utilization pattern of water resource in Odisha. | OPSC OAS Mains 2017 5 marks |
| 11 | Drainage systems in Odisha | OPSC OAS Mains 2016 4 marks |
| 12 | Major projects constructed across the main river of the largest river basin of Odisha | OPSC OAS Mains 2015 5 marks |
| 13 | Describe the social issues involved in construction of dam. | OPSC OAS Mains 2015 GS Paper-I Q.11(d) · 10 marks |
| 14 | Hirakud Dam - A multipurpose project. | OPSC OAS Mains 2006 GS Paper-I Q.6(a) · 5 marks |
| 15 | Major river systems. | OPSC OAS Mains 2006 GS Paper-I Q.6(d) · 5 marks |
Practice questions
| No. | Question | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Examine the reasons for ground water stress and ways through which India can harness floodwaters as a strategy to alleviate water stress? | — |
| 17 | Interlinking of rivers comes with core objective of solving water crisis in the country. Contextually discuss the need for interlinking of rivers project in India along the lines of assessing their feasibility. | — |
| 18 | Assess the interrelationship between water security and food security, emphasising their impact on agriculture and rural livelihoods. | — |
| 19 | Analyze the role of fluvial processes in shaping landscapes and their influence on human settlements. Elaborate on the challenges faced by urban planners in managing flood hazards and ensuring ecological balance in flood-prone regions in India. | — |
| 20 | Discuss the concept of 'Virtual Water' and its pertinence in the strategic management of water resources within India's intricate drainage system. | — |
| 21 | Illustrate the distinctions that characterize rivers in northern and southern regions of India. | — |
| 22 | What are the environmental implications of the reclamation of the water bodies into urban land use? Explain with examples. | — |
| 23 | Discuss the major geological formations and their associated mineral resources of Odisha. | — |
| 24 | Describe the geographical causes of decay of Baitarani river system in the recent past. | — |
| 25 | Assess the impacts of Chilika lake on the local economy of Odisha. | — |