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Q23 (IAS/2016) Environment & Ecology › Environment Laws, Policies & Institutions (India) › River Conservation Authorities Official Key

Which of the following are the key features of 'National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)'? 1. River basin is the unit of planning and management. 2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level. 3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The NGRBA's objective is to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a river basin approach for comprehensive planning and management[2], making statement 1 correct. The NGRBA serves as a planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating body of the centre and the states[1], which confirms that it spearheads river conservation efforts at the national level, making statement 2 correct.

However, statement 3 is incorrect. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairperson of the Authority, with Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of states through which Ganga flows (Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal) serving as members[4]. There is no rotation basis for the chairmanship among Chief Ministers; the Prime Minister remains the permanent Chair.

Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are correct, making option A (1 and 2 only) the correct answer.

Sources
  1. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 27: Environmental Organizations > 27.5. NATIONAL GANGA RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY (NGRBA) > p. 384
  2. [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 27: Environmental Organizations > 27.5. NATIONAL GANGA RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY (NGRBA) > p. 384
  3. [3] https://cpcb.nic.in/ngrba/about.html
  4. [4] https://wateractionhub.org/projects/99/d/ganga-river-basin-environment-management-plan/
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Q. Which of the following are the key features of 'National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)'? 1. River basin is the unit of planning an…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6.7/10 · 3.3/10

This is a classic 'Chairman Trap.' UPSC loves swapping the Head of a body (PM vs Minister vs Rotating CM). Statements 1 and 2 are generic definitions found in every standard text (Shankar/NCERT), while Statement 3 is the specific factual check. If you know the PM chairs it, the question is solved in 10 seconds.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is the river basin the unit of planning and management for the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 27: Environmental Organizations > 27.5. NATIONAL GANGA RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY (NGRBA) > p. 384
Presence: 5/5
“• NGRBA was constituted on February 2009 under the Environment (protection) Act, 1996. • The NGRBA is a planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating body of the centre and the states. • The objective of the NCRBA is to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a river basin approach for comprehensive planning and management. r The Authority has both regulatory and developmental functions. The Authority will take measures for effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga in keeping with sustainable development needs.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states NGRBA's objective is to ensure abatement of pollution and conservation of the Ganga by 'adopting a river basin approach for comprehensive planning and management'.
  • Describes NGRBA as a planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating body, linking its mandate to basin-scale planning.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystem > 4.14. GANGA ACTION PLAN > p. 59
Presence: 5/5
“The Ganga Action Plan was launched on 14th January 86 with the main objective of pollution abatement, to improve water quality by interception, diversion and treatment of domestic sewage and toxic and industrial chemical tvastes present, from identified grossly polluting units entering in to the river' After reviewing the effectiveness of the "Ganga Action Plan", the Government announced the "Mission Clean Ganga" project on 31st December, 20zo with the objective that by 202o, no municipal sewage and industrial waste would be released into the river without treatment, with the total budget of around Rs.5,ooo crore. The Government also established the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), chaired by the Prime Minister, with the objective to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga, by adopting a river basin approach for comprehensive planning and management.”
Why this source?
  • Repeats that NGRBA was established with the objective to ensure abatement of pollution and conservation 'by adopting a river basin approach for comprehensive planning and management'.
  • Identifies NGRBA's high-level placement (chaired by PM), reinforcing that basin-based planning is the Authority's stated framework.
Statement 2
Does the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) spearhead river conservation efforts at the national level?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 27: Environmental Organizations > 27.5. NATIONAL GANGA RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY (NGRBA) > p. 384
Presence: 5/5
“• NGRBA was constituted on February 2009 under the Environment (protection) Act, 1996. • The NGRBA is a planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating body of the centre and the states. • The objective of the NCRBA is to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a river basin approach for comprehensive planning and management. r The Authority has both regulatory and developmental functions. The Authority will take measures for effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga in keeping with sustainable development needs.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states NGRBA was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act and functions as a planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating body of the centre and the states.
  • Specifies the Authority's objective is effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga using a river-basin approach.
  • Notes the Authority has both regulatory and developmental functions — implying national-level leadership in conservation measures.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystem > 4.14. GANGA ACTION PLAN > p. 59
Presence: 5/5
“The Ganga Action Plan was launched on 14th January 86 with the main objective of pollution abatement, to improve water quality by interception, diversion and treatment of domestic sewage and toxic and industrial chemical tvastes present, from identified grossly polluting units entering in to the river' After reviewing the effectiveness of the "Ganga Action Plan", the Government announced the "Mission Clean Ganga" project on 31st December, 20zo with the objective that by 202o, no municipal sewage and industrial waste would be released into the river without treatment, with the total budget of around Rs.5,ooo crore. The Government also established the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), chaired by the Prime Minister, with the objective to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga, by adopting a river basin approach for comprehensive planning and management.”
Why this source?
  • Says the Government established NGRBA chaired by the Prime Minister with the objective of abatement of pollution and conservation of the Ganga.
  • Links NGRBA formation to national programmes (Mission Clean Ganga context), indicating its role at the national level.
Statement 3
Does one of the Chief Ministers of the states through which the Ganga flows serve as Chairman of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) on a rotation basis?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Prime Minister is ex-officio Chairperson of the Authority, and it has as its members, the Union Ministers Concerned and the Chief Ministers of states through which Ganga flows, viz., Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, among others."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states who the Chairperson is, showing the Prime Minister holds the chair.
  • Identifies Chief Ministers as members, not as rotating chairpersons.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Authority will perform its function under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister."
Why this source?
  • States clearly the Authority functions under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
  • This directly contradicts the claim that a Chief Minister serves as Chairman on rotation.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Authority, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, has as its members the Union Ministers concerned and the Chief Ministers of the States through which Ganga flows, viz., Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, among others."
Why this source?
  • States the Authority is chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.
  • Lists Chief Ministers as members, reinforcing they are not the chair on rotation.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystem > 4.14. GANGA ACTION PLAN > p. 59
Strength: 5/5
“The Ganga Action Plan was launched on 14th January 86 with the main objective of pollution abatement, to improve water quality by interception, diversion and treatment of domestic sewage and toxic and industrial chemical tvastes present, from identified grossly polluting units entering in to the river' After reviewing the effectiveness of the "Ganga Action Plan", the Government announced the "Mission Clean Ganga" project on 31st December, 20zo with the objective that by 202o, no municipal sewage and industrial waste would be released into the river without treatment, with the total budget of around Rs.5,ooo crore. The Government also established the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), chaired by the Prime Minister, with the objective to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga, by adopting a river basin approach for comprehensive planning and management.”
Why relevant

Explicitly states the NGRBA was "chaired by the Prime Minister," which indicates the statutory chair is the PM rather than a state Chief Minister.

How to extend

A student could infer that if the PM is the chair, a rotating CM-chair arrangement is unlikely and should be checked against the Authority's composition rules.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 27: Environmental Organizations > 27.5. NATIONAL GANGA RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY (NGRBA) > p. 384
Strength: 4/5
“• NGRBA was constituted on February 2009 under the Environment (protection) Act, 1996. • The NGRBA is a planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating body of the centre and the states. • The objective of the NCRBA is to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a river basin approach for comprehensive planning and management. r The Authority has both regulatory and developmental functions. The Authority will take measures for effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga in keeping with sustainable development needs.”
Why relevant

Describes NGRBA as a centre–states planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating body, implying representation of both central and state levels in the Authority.

How to extend

Combine this with the PM-as-chair fact to hypothesize that states have representation but the chair may remain with the Centre, so rotation among CMs would be atypical.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate of India > 1. The Ganga River Basin > p. 47
Strength: 4/5
“Stretching over an area of about 861,400 sq km, the Ganga and its tributaries drain the states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Its large left hand tributaries are Sharda, Kali, Gomti, Ghagra, Gandak, Kosi, and Mahananda; while the right hand tributaries include, the Yamuna, Chambal, Sind, Betwa, Ken, Son, and Damodar. Thus, from the mighty Himalayas and the northern Peninsular India, the Ganga and its tributaries carry enormous quantity of water. These rivers, due to heavy rains in the rainy season and melting of snow in the spring season, cause heavy floods in the middle and lower reaches of their catchments.”
Why relevant

Lists the specific states the Ganga and its tributaries drain, giving the set of states whose Chief Ministers would be relevant if any rotation among CMs existed.

How to extend

A student could use this list to identify which CMs would be candidates for any rotation and then verify membership/rotation rules against official NGRBA documents.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 16: Inter-State Relations > ZONAL COUNCILS > p. 171
Strength: 3/5
“Inter-State Relations state in the zone; and (iii) development commissioner of each state in the zone. The home minister of Central government is the common chairman of the five zonal councils. Each chief minister acts as a vice-chairman of the council by rotation, holding office for a period of one year at a time. The zonal councils aim at promoting cooperation and coordination between states, union territories and the Centre. They discuss and make recommendations regarding matters like economic and social planning, linguistic minorities, border disputes, interstate transport, and so on. They are only deliberative and advisory bodies.”
Why relevant

Explains that in zonal councils each Chief Minister acts as vice-chairman "by rotation, holding office for a period of one year," showing that rotating CM chairmanship is a recognized practice in some inter-state bodies.

How to extend

A student could use this precedent to see that rotation of CMs is possible in institutional arrangements, so they should check whether NGRBA follows a similar rotational convention or not.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystem > 0 ENUNOHUEilT > p. 60
Strength: 3/5
“• Incentive for states to take up projects on Ganga Main-stem by providing an additional share of central grants for sewerage infrastructure. (iii) Nirmal Dhara- managing Industrial discharge • Make Zero Liquid Discharge mandatory • Rationalized water tariff to encourage reuse • Real time water quality monitoring (iv) AviralDhara • Enforcing River Regulatory Zones on Ganga Banks • Rational agricultural practices, efficient irrigation methods • Restoration and conservation of wetlands • Ensuring ecological rejuvenation by conservation of aquatic life and biodiversity • Promotion of Tourism and Shipping in a rational and sustainable manner • Knowledge Management on Ganga through Ganga Knowledge Centre leading to a Ganga University of River Sciences”
Why relevant

Mentions incentives and state-level measures for projects on the Ganga main-stem, highlighting active state roles in Ganga management despite central coordination.

How to extend

A student might infer that although states are active participants, central leadership (e.g., PM chairing) could still be the norm; therefore verify leadership provisions to confirm or refute rotation among CMs.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC creates wrong statements by grafting features from one body onto another. The 'Rotation of CMs' is a real feature of Zonal Councils, but false for NGRBA. They test if your hard facts are compartmentalized or mixed up.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hit from Shankar IAS (Chapter 4/27) or any standard Current Affairs compilation of that year.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Statutory & Regulatory Bodies in Environment (Governance of River Basins).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the Chairpersons of parallel bodies: National Board for Wildlife (PM), National Tiger Conservation Authority (Minister of Env), NDMA (PM), CSIR (PM), Zonal Councils (Home Minister, with CMs as Vice-Chair by rotation).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When reading about any 'Authority' or 'Council', create a mental grid: 1. Statutory or Executive? 2. Who is the Chair? 3. Is it a federal body (do CMs sit on it)? The 'Rotation' clause in Stmt 3 is a mechanism borrowed from Zonal Councils to confuse you.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 River-basin approach to river management
💡 The insight

Both references explicitly state NGRBA adopts a 'river basin approach' for comprehensive planning and management of the Ganga.

High-yield for UPSC: central to questions on river governance and integrated water resources management. Connects to policy design (NGRBA, NRCP, GAP), inter-state coordination, and environmental planning. Prepare by linking statutory bodies to their stated management units and principles.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 27: Environmental Organizations > 27.5. NATIONAL GANGA RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY (NGRBA) > p. 384
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystem > 4.14. GANGA ACTION PLAN > p. 59
🔗 Anchor: "Is the river basin the unit of planning and management for the National Ganga Ri..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Mandate and functions of NGRBA
💡 The insight

Evidence describes NGRBA as a planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating body with regulatory and developmental functions.

Useful for governance and polity/environment UPSC questions about institutional roles. Helps answer questions on authority, funding, and multi-level coordination; study by mapping functions to instruments (planning, financing, monitoring) and examples of basin-level action.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 27: Environmental Organizations > 27.5. NATIONAL GANGA RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY (NGRBA) > p. 384
🔗 Anchor: "Is the river basin the unit of planning and management for the National Ganga Ri..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Significance of the Ganga basin (scale and transboundary nature)
💡 The insight

References describe the Ganga as the largest/major river basin and note its cross-border extent, explaining why basin-level planning is relevant.

Helps justify policy choices (basin approach) in essays and prelims/CSAT geography questions; links physical geography (basin size, transboundary rivers) with policy responses. Revise basin definitions, major basins, and implications for interstate/international cooperation.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > 2. The Ganga Basin > p. 11
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > RIVER BASINS OF INDIA > p. 5
🔗 Anchor: "Is the river basin the unit of planning and management for the National Ganga Ri..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Central coordinating authority for Ganga (NGRBA)
💡 The insight

The references define NGRBA's legal basis, functions (planning/financing/monitoring/coordinating) and national-level chairmanship, directly addressing whether it leads conservation.

High-yield for UPSC environment/governance questions: tests knowledge of institutional mechanisms for river conservation, centre–state coordination and statutory authorities. Learn the legal basis, stated functions and chairmanship to answer policy/administration questions and link to other environment governance topics.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 27: Environmental Organizations > 27.5. NATIONAL GANGA RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY (NGRBA) > p. 384
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystem > 4.14. GANGA ACTION PLAN > p. 59
🔗 Anchor: "Does the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) spearhead river conservati..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 River-basin approach to river conservation
💡 The insight

Both references emphasise adopting a river-basin approach as NGRBA's planning and management principle for Ganga conservation.

Frequently tested concept in environment/IR questions about integrated water resource management and program design. Understand what a basin approach implies (integrated planning across political boundaries, pollution abatement, infrastructure coordination) to tackle analytical questions and case studies.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 27: Environmental Organizations > 27.5. NATIONAL GANGA RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY (NGRBA) > p. 384
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystem > 4.14. GANGA ACTION PLAN > p. 59
🔗 Anchor: "Does the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) spearhead river conservati..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Evolution of national Ganga initiatives (NGRBA → NMCG / Namami Gange)
💡 The insight

References mention NGRBA's establishment and also later national programmes/societies (NMCG, Namami Gange), highlighting institutional evolution in Ganga conservation.

Useful for timeline and policy-evolution questions in UPSC: distinguishes earlier authorities and later flagship missions, enabling answers on reforms, continuity and changing governance instruments. Prepare by mapping key dates, agencies and mandate shifts.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystem > 4.14. GANGA ACTION PLAN > p. 59
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Five Confluences in the upper reaches of Ganga > p. 13
  • INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > Do you Know? > p. 21
🔗 Anchor: "Does the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) spearhead river conservati..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Chairpersonship of NGRBA
💡 The insight

Reference [2] directly states who chairs the NGRBA, which is central to the claim about CMs chairing it on rotation.

Understanding the statutory leadership of key river-management bodies (who chairs them) is high-yield for governance questions; distinguishes central-led bodies from state-led or rotational arrangements. Learn by memorising mandates and chairmanships of major environment/infrastructure authorities and comparing with similar bodies.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystem > 4.14. GANGA ACTION PLAN > p. 59
🔗 Anchor: "Does one of the Chief Ministers of the states through which the Ganga flows serv..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

NGRBA was dissolved and replaced by the 'National Ganga Council' (NGC) in 2016. The NGC is also chaired by the PM. However, the 'Empowered Task Force' on River Ganga is chaired by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti. Don't confuse the Council (PM) with the Task Force (Minister).

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Administrative Logic: Statement 2 says the body 'spearheads... at the national level.' A body leading a national mission cannot be chaired by a State CM on a rotation basis—that would lead to fragmented policy and lack of central authority. National Mission = National Head (PM or Union Minister).

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS-2 (Federalism): River Water is a State Subject (Entry 17, List II), but Regulation of Inter-State Rivers is a Union Subject (Entry 56, List I). NGRBA/NGC is a prime example of 'Cooperative Federalism' where the Centre uses Entry 56 to override State jurisdiction for environmental protection.

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