Here are the Assertion & Reason Questions of Chapter 3 ‘Water Resources’. These questions will help you practice different types of questions which can be asked in exams.
Must practice these Assertion/Reason questions
Q.1 Assertion (A): Many Indian cities face water scarcity even though they receive sufficient rainfall.
Reason (R): Water scarcity is often caused by over-exploitation, excessive use, and unequal access, not just low rainfall.
a. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
c. A is true, but R is false
d. A is false, but R is true
Answer: a Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation : Cities face water scarcity mainly due to overuse and unequal access, not just low rainfall. So, both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
Q.2 Assertion (A): Intensive industrialisation and urbanisation have led to depletion of freshwater resources.
Reason (R): Industries are not major consumers of water in India.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
Answer: c) A is true but R is false
Explanation: Industrialisation and urbanisation increase water usage and pollution, leading to freshwater depletion. But the reason is false because industries are heavy users of water.
Q.3 Assertion (A): Building dams is a modern practice started only after independence.
Reason (R): Historical records show no evidence of ancient water conservation systems.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) A is false but R is true
d) Both A and R are false
Answer: d) Both A and R are false
Explanation: Dams and other hydraulic structures have been part of India’s history since ancient times. The assertion and reason are both incorrect.
Q.4 Assertion (A): The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide piped water to every rural household.
Reason (R): It ensures supply of at least 55 litres per person per day on a long-term basis.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: The mission’s goal is to provide 55 litres of potable piped water daily per person, ensuring ease of living.
Q.5 Assertion (A): Over-exploitation of water will lead to ecological crisis.
Reason (R): Water is a renewable resource and cannot be exhausted.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
Answer: c) A is true but R is false
Explanation: While water is renewable, it can be depleted if overused and mismanaged, which may cause an ecological crisis.
Q.6 Assertion (A): Atal Bhujal Yojana focuses only on building new water sources.
Reason (R): The scheme excludes awareness and behavioural change components.
a) Both A and R are true
b) Both A and R are false
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
Answer: b) Both A and R are false
Explanation: Atal Bhujal Yojana focuses on water conservation and community behavioural change, not just building infrastructure.
Q.7 Assertion (A): Dams today serve multiple purposes including irrigation, electricity generation, and flood control.
Reason (R): Traditionally, dams were built only to store water for irrigation.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: Initially, dams were mainly for irrigation, but now they serve many integrated purposes like hydropower, flood control, and water supply.
Q.8 Assertion (A): The Bhakra–Nangal project uses water only for irrigation purposes.
Reason (R): The project integrates water use for both irrigation and hydropower generation.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: d) A is false, R is true
Explanation: The Bhakra-Nangal project uses water for both irrigation and hydel power, making the assertion false.
Q.9 Assertion (A): Jawaharlal Nehru called dams the ‘temples of modern India’ because they symbolized integrated development.
Reason (R): Dams helped combine agricultural, industrial, and urban growth in India.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: Nehru saw dams as symbols of development because they supported multiple sectors simultaneously.
Q.10 Assertion (A): Sedimentation in reservoirs leads to poorer aquatic habitats.
Reason (R): Sedimentation causes the bottom of reservoirs to become rockier and less hospitable for aquatic life.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: Sediment build-up in reservoirs disrupts habitats by creating rocky streambeds unfavourable to aquatic life.
Q.11 Assertion (A): Large dams, meant to control floods, have sometimes triggered floods instead.
Reason (R): Sedimentation in reservoirs reduces their water-holding capacity.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: Sedimentation decreases reservoir capacity, leading to overflow and floods during heavy rains.
Q.12 Assertion (A): Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana aims to provide irrigation access to all farms.
Reason (R): The scheme promotes water-use efficiency and sustainable conservation practices.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: The program improves water availability and promotes efficient irrigation and conservation.
Q.13 Assertion (A): The Sardar Sarovar Dam project covers multiple states and aims to provide irrigation in drought-prone areas.
Reason (R): The project will supply water to parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: The dam supplies irrigation water to drought-affected regions across these states.
Q.14 Assertion (A): The Krishna-Godavari water dispute involves Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh opposing Maharashtra’s water diversion.
Reason (R): Maharashtra’s project at Koyna reduces water flow downstream affecting agriculture and industry in those states.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: Water diversion upstream reduces availability downstream, leading to interstate conflicts.
Q.15 Assertion (A): The practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting is declining in western Rajasthan.
Reason (R): The availability of water from the Indira Gandhi Canal has reduced the need for rainwater harvesting.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: Perennial canal water availability makes traditional rainwater harvesting less necessary.
Q.16 Assertion (A): Rainwater is considered the purest form of natural water in some parts of Rajasthan.
Reason (R): Stored rainwater, or ‘palar pani’, is free from contaminants commonly found in other water sources.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: Harvested rainwater is naturally clean and preferred for drinking in many arid areas.
Q.17 Assertion (A): Nearly every household in Shillong has a rooftop rainwater harvesting structure.
Reason (R): Shillong faces acute water shortage despite nearby areas receiving the highest rainfall in the world.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: Despite heavy rainfall nearby, Shillong’s water scarcity encourages households to rely on rooftop rainwater harvesting.
Q.18 Assertion (A): Tamil Nadu is the first state in India to make rooftop rainwater harvesting compulsory for all houses.
Reason (R): The state has legal provisions to punish defaulters who do not install rooftop harvesting systems.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: Tamil Nadu enforces rooftop rainwater harvesting legally to promote water conservation.
