UPSC Prelims 2020
Indian Geography Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — North of Nubra Valley

The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas, positioned north of the Nubra Valley in Ladakh. It is the world's highest battlefield, where India maintains a military presence at altitudes exceeding 5,400 meters.

✅ Option 4 – Correct: Siachen Glacier lies directly north of Nubra Valley in the eastern Karakoram range.
❌ Option 1 – Incorrect: Aksai Chin is located to the east of Ladakh, whereas Siachen is to the northwest of it.
❌ Option 2 – Incorrect: Leh is situated to the south of Siachen Glacier, not to its west.
❌ Option 3 – Incorrect: Gilgit is in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, west of Siachen Glacier, not to its south.

📝 Short Notes: Siachen Glacier and Surrounding Geography

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 3 only

This question tests knowledge about groundwater management in India and the role of the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). Statement 1 provides incorrect figures about overexploited/critical districts, while Statements 2 and 3 are factually accurate regarding CGWA's formation and India's groundwater irrigation status.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: According to the National Compilation on Dynamic Groundwater Resources of India, 2017, only 17% of assessment units are overexploited and 5% are critical, totaling 22% (not 36% of districts).

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was indeed established in 1997 under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control groundwater development and management.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: India has the world's largest area under groundwater irrigation, accounting for approximately 60% of its irrigated agriculture, due to extensive bore-well and tube-well usage.

📝 Short Notes: Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)

• Establishment: Constituted in 1997 under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources)
• Primary Function: Regulation and control of groundwater development and management across India
• Classification Categories: Assessment units are classified as Safe, Semi-Critical (70-90% extraction), Critical (90-100% extraction), and Over-Exploited (>100% extraction)
• Groundwater Status (2017 Report): Out of 6,881 assessment units - 17% Over-Exploited, 5% Critical, 14% Semi-Critical, and 64% Safe
• India's Irrigation: India has the largest groundwater irrigation area globally, with groundwater contributing to about 60% of irrigated agriculture
• Powers: CGWA can issue directives for regulation of groundwater extraction in notified areas and impose restrictions on groundwater development