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QUESTION 14
GS1
15 marks

What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India?

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11 min
250 words
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What the examiner wants

Define water stress and explain how and why it varies across India.

ExplainMake clear how and why it happens: causes, process, and an example for each point.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Definition: demand exceeds available supply (Falkenmark: below 1,700 m³ per capita)≈50 words
  2. 2Regions: North-West (groundwater over-use), Deccan plateau (hard rock, low recharge), western Rajasthan (aridity), cities (Chennai, Bengaluru)≈50 words
  3. 3Causes: rainfall, geology, cropping patterns, urbanisation≈50 words
  4. 4Measures≈50 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

DefinitionRegional patternsCausesMeasuresConclusion

Where marks usually go

  • No definition, e.g. Falkenmark threshold of 1,700 m³ per person per year
  • No regional comparison

Draw this

  • Map of water stress zones

Value addition

  • DataNITI Aayog's Composite Water Management Index (2018) said about 600 million Indians face high to extreme water stress.NITI Aayog CWMI 2018
  • DataIndia has about 18% of world population but 4% of freshwater.Ministry of Jal Shakti