PYQs
8
Articles
1
Momentum
21
Important for understanding India's water resource management strategies, infrastructure development, environmental policy, and the complexities of inter-state cooperation and conflict.
River interlinking projects in India aim to transfer water from water-surplus river basins to water-deficit basins through a network of canals, primarily to address regional water imbalances, mitigate floods and droughts, and enhance irrigation and power generation capacity.
Objective
Address water scarcity, improve irrigation, generate hydropower, and mitigate floods/droughts.
Components
Proposed 30 links (14 Himalayan, 16 Peninsular) under the National Perspective Plan.
Key Project
Ken-Betwa Link Project is the first major project under NRLP.
Challenges
High financial cost, environmental impact (deforestation, displacement), inter-state disputes over water sharing, and feasibility concerns.
Static syllabus anchors
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Indian Hydrography & Water Bodies |
| Conceptual area | Environmental Law & Policy |
Institutions & roles
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| National Water Development Agency (NWDA) | Plans |
| Ministry of Jal Shakti | Oversees |
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information: 1. It has an antecedent drainage system. 2. It flows through three...
Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ? 1. Submergence of parts of the western coas...
Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries: 1. 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgar...
Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information: 1. It has an antecedent drainage system. 2. It flows through three...
Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ? 1. Submergence of parts of the western coas...
Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries: 1. 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgar...
Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information: 1. It has an antecedent drainage system. 2. It flows through three...
Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ? 1. Submergence of parts of the western coas...
Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries: 1. 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgar...
Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information: 1. It has an antecedent drainage system. 2. It flows through three...
Open questionWhich of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ? 1. Submergence of parts of the western coas...
Open questionConsider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries: 1. 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgar...
Open questionIdentify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information: 1. It has an antecedent drainage system. 2. It flows through three...
Open questionWhich of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ? 1. Submergence of parts of the western coas...
Open questionConsider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries: 1. 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgar...
Open questionIdentify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information: 1. It has an antecedent drainage system. 2. It flows through three...
Open questionWhich of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ? 1. Submergence of parts of the western coas...
Open questionConsider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries: 1. 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgar...
Open questionHarish demands clarity from CM on three-State water talks
27 Jun 2026 · River interlinking projects aim to redistribute water from surplus to deficit basins to address water scarcity and enhance irrigation, but face significant challenges related to environmental impact, financial viability, and inter-state water sharing disputes.
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River Interlinking Projects
UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on River Interlinking Projects in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.
