UPSC Notes

Inter-State River Linking Projects

PYQs

Articles

Momentum

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

KBLP exemplifies the complex challenges of large-scale infrastructure projects in India, involving water resource management, environmental conservation (Panna Tiger Reserve), social justice (displacement, rehabilitation of tribal communities), and governance issues (alleged corruption, Gram Sabha consent). It serves as a crucial case study for GS1 (Geography), GS2 (Social Justice, Governance), and GS3 (Environment, Infrastructure).

Inter-State River Linking Projects are large-scale engineering initiatives aimed at transferring water from water-surplus basins to water-deficit basins to address regional water scarcity, enhance irrigation, and generate hydropower. These projects often involve significant environmental and social considerations due to their scale and potential impact.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Primary Objective

Address water scarcity, enhance irrigation, generate hydropower, and mitigate floods/droughts.

Key Example

Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) is the first project under the National Perspective Plan.

Major Challenges

Environmental impact (deforestation, biodiversity loss), social displacement, inter-state water disputes, and financial viability.

Implementing Body

National Water Development Agency (NWDA) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Objective

Transfer surplus water from Ken to Betwa, provide drinking water and irrigation to Bundelkhand region (MP & UP).

Infrastructure

Daudhan Dam on Ken river, 221 km canal (including 2 km tunnel), 103 MW hydropower, 27 MW solar power.

National Context

First of 30 proposed river-linking projects under the National Perspective Plan (NPP) formulated in 1980.

Cost

₹44,000 crore (Union government project).

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

Type	Reference
Conceptual area	Water Resources Management
Conceptual area	Environmental Impact Assessment
Conceptual area	Infrastructure Development
Conceptual area	Indian Hydrography & Water Bodies
Conceptual area	Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas
Conceptual area	Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
Conceptual area	Environmental Law & Policy

Reference table

Institutions & roles

Body	Role
Union Ministry of Jal Shakti	Oversees and implements river linking projects
National Water Development Agency (NWDA)	Implements
Ministry of Jal Shakti	Oversees

Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

Aims to transfer water from surplus to deficit basins.
Ken-Betwa is the first project under the National Perspective Plan.
Involves environmental, social, and inter-state challenges.
Managed by NWDA under Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Impacts on biodiversity (e.g., Panna Tiger Reserve) are a major concern.

Elimination traps

Body vs treaty — Distinguish between the National Perspective Plan (NPP) as the overarching plan and the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) as the implementing agency.

Treaty = agreement between states; body = institution.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ? 1. Submergence of parts of the western coas...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following assertion : In the Pleistocene period either the Yamuna once flowed into the Indus, or the Sutlej flowed into the Yamuna and one majo...

GeographyOpen question

Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information: 1. It has an antecedent drainage system. 2. It flows through three...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries: 1. 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgar...

International RelationsOpen question

2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ? 1. Submergence of parts of the western coas...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following assertion : In the Pleistocene period either the Yamuna once flowed into the Indus, or the Sutlej flowed into the Yamuna and one majo...

GeographyOpen question

Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information: 1. It has an antecedent drainage system. 2. It flows through three...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries: 1. 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgar...

International RelationsOpen question

2026Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ? 1. Submergence of parts of the western coas...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following assertion : In the Pleistocene period either the Yamuna once flowed into the Indus, or the Sutlej flowed into the Yamuna and one majo...

GeographyOpen question

Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information: 1. It has an antecedent drainage system. 2. It flows through three...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries: 1. 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgar...

International RelationsOpen question

2026Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ? 1. Submergence of parts of the western coas...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following assertion : In the Pleistocene period either the Yamuna once flowed into the Indus, or the Sutlej flowed into the Yamuna and one majo...

GeographyOpen question

Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information: 1. It has an antecedent drainage system. 2. It flows through three...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries: 1. 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgar...

International RelationsOpen question

2024Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

GeographyOpen question

2021Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following...

GeographyOpen question

2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs : | Glacier | River | |---------------|------------| | 1. Bandarpunch | Yamuna | | 2. Bara Shigri | Chenab ...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following pairs: Famous place : River 1. Pandharpur : Chandrabhaga 2. Tiruchirappalli : Cauvery 3. Hampi : Malaprabha Which of the pairs given...

GeographyOpen question

2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs : | Glacier | River | |---------------|------------| | 1. Bandarpunch | Yamuna | | 2. Bara Shigri | Chenab ...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following pairs: Famous place : River 1. Pandharpur : Chandrabhaga 2. Tiruchirappalli : Cauvery 3. Hampi : Malaprabha Which of the pairs given...

GeographyOpen question

2016Factual recall, Policy measures

Recently, linking of which of the following rivers was undertaking?

GeographyOpen question

Topic timeline

Water Resources ManagementEnvironmental Impact AssessmentInfrastructure DevelopmentIndian Hydrography & Water Bodies

Prelims 2016· Factual recall, Policy measures

Recently, linking of which of the following rivers was undertaking?

Inter-State River Linking Projects

Overview

Key facts

Reference table

Reference table

Overview

Quick revision

Elimination traps

High-confidence PYQs

Topic timeline

Related topics

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Inter-State River Linking Projects

Editorial & Review Process