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SSC MTS 2024 PYQ — Question 49

SSC MTS - 14/10/2024 - (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) • General Awareness • Q49

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Which sector uses the groundwater maximally?

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Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is  option 3  i.e. agriculture .

The sector that uses groundwater maximally in India is the agriculture sector. Agriculture accounts for nearly 80–90% of the total groundwater extracted in the country. It is primarily used for irrigation to support the cultivation of crops, especially in regions where rainfall is insufficient or unreliable. With the expansion of tube wells and borewells, groundwater has become the lifeline of Indian farming. In comparison, industrial, domestic, and educational sectors consume far less groundwater. Over-extraction for agriculture has also led to falling water tables and concerns over sustainability.  

Incorrect Options:

  1. Industrial – Uses a significant but much smaller share of groundwater compared to agriculture.

  2. Educational – Minimal groundwater usage, limited to facilities' domestic needs.

  3. Domestic – Includes household usage (drinking, washing), but much less than agriculture.