The groundwater potential of the gangetic valley is on a serious decline. How may it affect the food security of India?

Theme

T45 Groundwater depletion & seawater intrusion

What UPSC asks in this theme

Questions ask about groundwater decline in the Gangetic plain and its effect on food security, causes of depletion, government steps, and seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers.

What to cover

• Causes: free power, water-intensive crops, tube wells
• Food security link
• Atal Bhujal Yojana, CGWA rules, recharge
• Seawater intrusion: causes and remedies

Writing the answer

• Always link depletion to cropping patterns and power subsidies

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 3 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.