UPSC Themes

UPSC CSE Mains 2026 · GS1 · 10 marks · 150 words

Water resources are both an asset and a source of conflict in South Asia. Examine this statement giving examples

Theme

T47 River interlinking & water disputes: inter-state and transboundary

What UPSC asks in this theme

A cross-paper theme linking geography, federalism and foreign policy: river interlinking pros and cons, inter-state water disputes, Indus Water Treaty, and water conflict in South Asia.

What to cover

Writing the answer

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 5 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.

This question also needs

T115 Neighbourhood: Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Project Mausam

On the map

Map module 2: Drainage & water bodiesMap module 4: World physical frameworkMap module 10: Neighbourhood & sea routes

More PYQs from this theme

  1. GS12020

    The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation. Critically examine.

  2. GS32017

    Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.

  3. GS12016

    Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.

  4. GS22013

    Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss.

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