Q101
Geography (incl. West Bengal)Rivers, Lakes, Dams & Water Resources
Which of the following system irrigates the largest percentage of net cropped area in India?
- a.Canals
- b.Tanks
- c.Wells and tube-wells
- d.River lift
Answer: (C) Wells and tube-wells
Answer as of 2022 — this may have changed since.
Wells and tube-wells (groundwater) are the largest source of irrigation in India, accounting for well over half of the net irrigated area, with Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat relying heavily on tube-wells. Canals come second and are most important in the plains of the north and in river deltas, which makes (A) the tempting option. Tanks are a traditional source mainly in the hard-rock areas of peninsular India such as Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka. River-lift irrigation serves only small areas.