Polity/International Relations · 8 Aug 2026

Farakka Water Treaty

With reference to the Farakka Barrage and the Farakka Water Treaty, consider the following statements:

  1. The Farakka Barrage was commissioned in 1975 primarily to maintain water flow for the Hooghly River and Kolkata Port.
  2. The 1996 Farakka Water Treaty is a 30-year agreement set to expire in December
  3. 3. Under Article 253 of the Constitution, state governments have a formal, constitutionally mandated role in the negotiation of international treaties such as the Farakka Water Treaty.
  4. Bihar has historically experienced lean-season water shortages linked to the Farakka Barrage's operation.

How many of the above statements are correct?

AOnly one
BOnly two
COnly three
DAll four

Tests the distinction between a state's formal constitutional powers under Article 253 and its informal political leverage through coalition arithmetic - an analytical distinction, not simple recall.

Subscribe / Login in App →
This question is based on: December 12: The Deadline That Just Became a Coalition Problem, Not Just a Diplomatic One
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 8 Aug 2026
About this question

Why in news

JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha used a Rajya Sabha Special Mention to urge the Centre not to renew the Farakka Treaty without addressing Bihar's water needs, ahead of its December 2026 expiry.

Why for UPSC

This tests whether aspirants can distinguish a state's genuine constitutional role (none, under Article 253) from its de facto political influence via coalition arithmetic - a nuanced federalism distinction UPSC often tests through current events.

Prelims summary

The Farakka Barrage (1975) serves the Hooghly and Kolkata Port. The 1996 Farakka Treaty, a 30-year pact, expires December 2026. Article 253 vests treaty-making exclusively with the Union; states like Bihar have no formal role, only informal coalition leverage.

On web, answers are shown once after a test — no save or reattempt. For unlimited reattempts, Hindi medium, and Mentor Observations, use the TAN App.