Minimalist IAS
CSAT 2020 paper

UPSC CSE CSAT 2020 · Question 22 · Reading comprehension

With reference to the above passage, which of the following could be the most rational and…

Passage—2

Many opportunities to harness the highly skewed, seasonal and spatial distribution of monsoon flows, which occur in a four-month period from June to September annually, have been lost. Since these few months account for most of the rainfall and consequent freshwater availability, the need for holding rainwater in reservoirs, for subsequently releasing it for use over the year, is a necessity nobody can afford to overlook. Climate change will continue to affect weather conditions and create water shortages and excesses. While millions suffer from droughts and floods, waters in the country’s many rivers flow unutilized, and are discharged into the sea every year.

CSAT 2020 · Q22

Reading comprehension Medium

With reference to the above passage, which of the following could be the most rational and practical implications for India?

  1. 1.Inter-linking of rivers should be undertaken.
  2. 2.A network of dams and canals should be built across the country for proper distribution of water.
  3. 3.Farmers should be provided easy loans for digging borewells.
  4. 4.Usage of water for agriculture should be regulated by law.
  5. 5.Distribution of river water among regions should be regulated by the Union Government.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Answer & explanation

Answer: (a) 1 and 2

The passage's problem is that monsoon water comes in a short burst, unevenly across regions, and much of it runs to the sea while some areas face drought and others flood. Storing it (dams and canals) and moving it from surplus to deficit rivers (inter-linking) answer exactly that.

  • ✓ 1. The monsoon flows have a skewed 'spatial distribution' and river waters 'flow unutilized' while millions face droughts and floods — linking rivers moves surplus water to deficit areas.
  • ✓ 2. The passage calls holding rainwater in reservoirs and releasing it over the year 'a necessity nobody can afford to overlook'; dams and canals do this.
  • ✗ 3. Borewells draw groundwater; they do nothing to capture the monsoon flows the passage says are being lost.
  • ✗ 4. The passage is about capturing and storing water, not about legally restricting its use in farming.
  • ✗ 5. Which level of government should allocate river water is never raised.

Remember · A practical implication must solve the passage's own problem; drop steps about other resources or about who holds power.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2020, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·

More on Reading comprehension

All Reading comprehension questions →