Geography · 14 Sep 2026

Farakka Barrage Ganga Water Sharing Treaty

Consider the following statements regarding the Farakka Barrage and the India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty:

  1. The Farakka Barrage was constructed primarily to divert Ganga water for hydroelectric power generation in West Bengal.
  2. The India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty, 1996 governs the sharing of Ganga waters only during the dry season, from January 1 to May 31.
  3. The 1996 Treaty is a 30-year agreement scheduled to expire in December 2026.
A1 only
B2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
This question is based on: Bihar Floods: Over 47 Lakh People Affected; Farakka Treaty Expiry in December Reignites Political Debate
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 14 Sep 2026
About this question

Why in news

Bihar's 2026 floods, which affected over 47 lakh people despite a 27% rainfall deficit, have reignited the JD(U)'s campaign to dismantle the Farakka Barrage as the 1996 Treaty's December 2026 expiry approaches.

Why for UPSC

Tests the frequently confused distinction between the Barrage's actual engineering purpose (silt/navigation) and assumed alternatives (hydropower), plus the Treaty's narrow dry-season-only scope - a classic UPSC "exception and condition" probe.

Prelims summary

The Farakka Barrage (1975) diverts water to keep Kolkata Port navigable, not for power generation. The 1996 Ganga Water Sharing Treaty covers only January-May flows and expires in December 2026 after its 30-year term.

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