Question
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: According to the United Nations World Water Development Report, 2022, India extracts more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal each year.
Statement-II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world’s population living in its territory.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
Statement I is correct: As per the UN World Water Development Report, 2022, India is indeed the world’s largest groundwater user, extracting more than a quarter of the global total, drawing roughly 251 km³ annually.
Statement II is incorrect: This massive extraction isn’t primarily for drinking water and sanitation — around 89% of India’s groundwater use actually goes toward irrigation, not domestic consumption.
Since Statement II misattributes the reason, the answer is Option C.