UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Check dams help communities adjust to increased rainfall variability and drought risk by improving local water availability. Such measures reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. The stem explicitly labels the action as an adaptation measure,so the missing word is “climate.” Therefore “climate change adaptation” is correctly completed by Option B.

Option A:
Mitigation refers to actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or enhance sinks. Check dams primarily address impacts like water scarcity rather than directly lowering emissions,so Option A is not accurate here.

Option B:
Climate adaptation measures strengthen resilience to climate impacts rather than addressing their root causes. Recharging groundwater in drought-prone regions is a clear example of this,matching the question.

Option C:
Pollution control relates to managing contaminants and is not the main role of check dams in the described context. Therefore Option C does not fit the stem.

Option D:
Economic measures may accompany adaptation,but the defining feature of the action is its link to climate related drought risk,not simply economic policy,so Option D is unsuitable.

Statements A, B, C, E and F are correct and illustrate flood mitigation, groundwater recharge, biodiversity support, nature-based solutions and common pressures like encroachment/dumping. Statement D is wrong because wetland conversion typically worsens flooding and degrades water quality. Therefore, the correct answer is A, B, C, E and F only.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it includes all true statements and excludes D, which falsely claims wetland loss has no effects.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it omits F, missing a major set of real-world pressures on urban wetlands.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes D (false).

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it omits B, underrepresenting key eco-hydrological services like groundwater recharge/baseflow support.

Rainwater harvesting involves capturing runoff from roofs,terraces or open surfaces and storing it in tanks or directing it into the ground. It reduces pressure on surface and groundwater sources and helps bridge seasonal gaps in supply. Because the stem describes collection and storage of rainwater for later use,rainwater harvesting is the correct term. It is widely promoted in both rural and urban areas.

Option A:
Desalination is the process of removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water. It requires specialised plants and energy and does not involve direct collection of rainwater. Therefore it does not match the method described in the question.

Option B:
Rainwater harvesting can be implemented through simple household tanks or larger community systems. It has the added benefit of reducing urban flooding when integrated with stormwater management. These features align closely with the stem,which highlights collecting rainwater from roofs or catchments.

Option C:
Irrigation canal lining is a technique to prevent seepage losses from canals by using concrete or other materials. Although it conserves water,it does not involve storing rainfall in the manner mentioned in the question.

Option D:
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique in which substances are dispersed into clouds to encourage precipitation. It does not deal with capturing and storing rain once it has fallen,so it is not suitable for the blank.

Rooftop rainwater harvesting captures precipitation that would otherwise quickly run off impervious surfaces. When this water is stored or directed into recharge structures, local aquifers can be replenished and dependence on external sources can be reduced. At the same time, diverting water away from streets and drains lessens peak runoff and helps mitigate urban flooding during heavy rains. For these reasons, the statement that it helps recharge groundwater and reduce flooding correctly summarises its main environmental benefits.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because harvesting local rainwater tends to reduce, not increase, reliance on distant reservoirs and long pipelines. By using water where it falls, cities can lower the strain on regional river systems and energy-intensive water transfers.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as effective recharge practices are designed to stabilise or raise groundwater levels, not to lower them. Lowering usually results from over-extraction or insufficient replenishment, the opposite of what rainwater harvesting seeks to achieve.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because properly designed rooftop systems intercept rainfall before it becomes surface runoff, then channel it into storage tanks or recharge pits. This reduces the volume of water rushing across roads and into storm drains, thereby helping to manage runoff.

Option D:
Option D is correct since it combines the conservation and flood-control roles of rainwater harvesting. Implementing such systems at scale is an important adaptation strategy in water-stressed and flood-prone urban regions.