UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 58

This question tests central ground water authority. The key concept is: The Central Ground Water Authority was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and regulates groundwater extraction in specified areas. India is a major user of groundwater for irrigation, with one of the world's largest groundwater-irrigated areas. The 36% figure in the first statement is not accepted as stated, so statements 2 and 3 are correct. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option B. Option A — 1 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: The Central Ground Water Authority was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and regulates groundwater extraction in specified areas. India is a major user of groundwater for irrigation, with one of the world's largest groundwater-irrigated areas. The 36% figure in the first statement is not accepted as stated, so statements 2 and 3 are correct. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option B — 2 and 3 only: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because The Central Ground Water Authority was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and regulates groundwater extraction in specified areas. India is a major user of groundwater for irrigation, with one of the world's largest groundwater-irrigated areas. The 36% figure in the first statement is not accepted as stated, so statements 2 and 3 are correct. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option C — 2 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: The Central Ground Water Authority was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and regulates groundwater extraction in specified areas. India is a major user of groundwater for irrigation, with one of the world's largest groundwater-irrigated areas. The 36% figure in the first statement is not accepted as stated, so statements 2 and 3 are correct. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — 1 and 3 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: The Central Ground Water Authority was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and regulates groundwater extraction in specified areas. India is a major user of groundwater for irrigation, with one of the world's largest groundwater-irrigated areas. The 36% figure in the first statement is not accepted as stated, so statements 2 and 3 are correct. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. On that basis, option B is the verified answer.