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Q38 (IAS/2024) Science & Technology › New Materials, Energy & Environment-linked Tech › Renewable power systems Official Key

Recently, the term "pumped-storage hydropower" is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is a proven, existing, grid-scale, long-duration energy storage technology that currently provides over 90% of the utility-scale energy storage capacity in the United States.[1] It makes use of two water reservoirs at different elevations, where power from the grid is used to pump water to the upper reservoir during times of low electricity demand or abundant clean power generation, and power is generated during peak demand as water moves down to the lower reservoir using a turbine.[2] It works like a battery storing the electricity generated by other power sources like solar, wind, and nuclear for later use.[3] This technology is specifically discussed in the context of energy storage and grid management, not for irrigation or rainwater harvesting purposes. Therefore, option C (Long duration energy storage) is the correct and appropriate context in which pumped-storage hydropower is discussed.

Sources
  1. [1] https://www.energy.wsu.edu/documents/WSUEEP25-003%20-%20PSH%20Siting%20Study-%20June%202025-Final.pdf
  2. [2] https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/844471635952134217/pdf/Indonesia-Development-of-Pumped-Storage-Hydropower-in-the-Java-Bali-Project.pdf
  3. [3] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > G) Pumped storage > p. 291
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Q. Recently, the term "pumped-storage hydropower" is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following ? [A…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 5/10

This is a classic 'Term in News' question rooted in static science. While it appears in Current Affairs due to India's energy transition policies, the core definition is available in standard texts like Shankar IAS (Chapter 22). The strategy is simple: When a technology is hyped, define its primary utility (Energy Storage) rather than its medium (Water).

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 pumped-storage hydropower used or discussed for irrigation of terraced crop fields?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > 22.4,t Tlpes of hydro power stations > p. 291
Strength: 4/5
“There are three types of hydropower facilities: impoundment, diversion, and pumped storage. Some hydropower plants use dams and some do not.”
Why relevant

Identifies pumped storage as a distinct type of hydropower facility, establishing that water can be actively moved/stored as part of power schemes.

How to extend

A student could infer that if pumped-storage moves water between reservoirs, it might be repurposed or coordinated to supply irrigation on sloped/terraced land and then seek case examples or technical discussions.

NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 3: The Making of a Global World > Hydraulic Structures in Ancient India > p. 56
Strength: 5/5
“Dams were traditionally built to impound rivers and rainwater that could be used later to irrigate agricultural fields. Today, dams are built not just for irrigation but for electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding. Hence, dams are now referred to as multi-purpose projects where the many uses of the impounded water are integrated with one another. For example, in the Sutluj-Beas river basin, the Bhakra – Nangal project water is being used both for hydel power production and irrigation. Similarly, the Hirakud project in the Mahanadi basin integrates conservation of water with flood control.”
Why relevant

Explains that dams/hydropower projects are often multi-purpose — integrating irrigation with electricity generation.

How to extend

One could extend this pattern to ask whether pumped-storage plants (a kind of hydro facility) have been or could be intentionally designed to serve irrigation for terraced fields.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Sources of Irrigation > p. 32
Strength: 4/5
“Depending on the availability of surface and underground water, slope of the land, nature of the soil, and the types of crops grown in a region, a number of sources of irrigation are utilised. The main sources of irrigation used in different parts of the country are: (i) canals, (ii) wells and tubewells, (iii) tanks, and (iv) other sources (springs, kuhls, Himachal Pradesh, swing-basket; dhenkli, dongs Assam, and bokka Telangana, etc.). The areas irrigated by the different sources have been plotted in (Fig. 9.8) while (Table 9.8) gives the temporal changes in the irrigated area under different sources.”
Why relevant

Lists factors (surface/underground water, slope of the land) that determine suitable irrigation sources, highlighting that slope/terrain (as in terraces) influences irrigation choices.

How to extend

Using basic geography, a student could combine slope relevance with pumped-storage's ability to move water uphill to assess feasibility for terraced irrigation.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > 4. Micro-Irrigation > p. 365
Strength: 3/5
“However, there are certain issues/challenges under micro-irrigation that need to be addressed. They are: • Need to improve the efficiency of the entire process of micro-irrigation.• Convergence of micro-irrigation methods with water harvesting storage structures (ponds, tanks, check dams, injection wells, etc.) and related afforestation to recharge aquifers.”
Why relevant

Recommends convergence of micro‑irrigation with water‑harvesting/storage structures (ponds, tanks, check dams), showing precedent for integrating storage and irrigation systems.

How to extend

This suggests pumped-storage reservoirs might be considered as part of integrated water/irrigation systems; a student could look for examples where storage for energy also feeds irrigation infrastructure on terraces.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Table 9.9 > p. 39
Strength: 3/5
“Tube-well irrigation is the easiest source of irrigation. It can be installed in a short duration of time. It is however, expensive and diminishes the underground watertable, especially in the years of drought like 2009. The most important problem of tube-well irrigation is the high energy costs for pumping groundwater because of farmers dependence on diesel and electricity. The prices of these energy resources have increased rapidly. The largest area under tube-well irrigation is in Uttar Pradesh followed by”
Why relevant

Notes that irrigation using tube‑wells is energy‑intensive and that energy cost matters for pumping water for irrigation.

How to extend

A student could reason that pumped‑storage (which supplies electricity) might be relevant to powering pumps for terraced irrigation or offsetting energy costs, and then investigate operational links between energy storage and irrigation pumping.

Statement 2
Is pumped-storage hydropower used or discussed for lift irrigation of cereal crops?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > 22.4,t Tlpes of hydro power stations > p. 291
Strength: 4/5
“There are three types of hydropower facilities: impoundment, diversion, and pumped storage. Some hydropower plants use dams and some do not.”
Why relevant

Identifies pumped storage as a distinct type of hydropower (alongside impoundment and diversion), establishing it as a relevant technology in the hydropower toolbox.

How to extend

A student could consider that because pumped storage is a recognized hydropower type, it might be investigated as a source of power for irrigation pumping in regions needing lift irrigation.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Table 9.9 > p. 39
Strength: 5/5
“Tube-well irrigation is the easiest source of irrigation. It can be installed in a short duration of time. It is however, expensive and diminishes the underground watertable, especially in the years of drought like 2009. The most important problem of tube-well irrigation is the high energy costs for pumping groundwater because of farmers dependence on diesel and electricity. The prices of these energy resources have increased rapidly. The largest area under tube-well irrigation is in Uttar Pradesh followed by”
Why relevant

Explains that tube-well irrigation depends on pumping and that high energy costs for pumping groundwater are a major problem for farmers.

How to extend

A student could reason that a local energy-storage hydropower (pumped storage) could supply lower-cost or time-shifted electricity for these pumps and thus be relevant to lift irrigation of cereals.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > 5. Lowering of the Underground Water-Table > p. 70
Strength: 4/5
“The High Yielding Varieties of rice and wheat are water-relishing crops. Rice, being sown in the low rainfall recording area of Punjab and Haryana, demands several irrigations and same is the case with wheat crop. The continuous lifting of water through tube-wells and pumping sets has lowered the water table in the eastern districts of Haryana (Fig. 9.20). Many farmers have to lower their tube-wells in the years of inadequate monsoon rainfall. If the cropping pattern is not changed, and irrigation of rice and wheat continues at the present level, the underground water table may not be sufficiently recharged and may get substantially depleted.”
Why relevant

States that rice and wheat require several irrigations and are often irrigated by continuous lifting of water, causing groundwater depletion.

How to extend

A student could infer there is a strong demand for reliable pumping energy for cereal irrigation, motivating exploration of pumped-storage as a stable energy source for lift irrigation.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > 4. Micro-Irrigation > p. 365
Strength: 3/5
“However, there are certain issues/challenges under micro-irrigation that need to be addressed. They are: • Need to improve the efficiency of the entire process of micro-irrigation.• Convergence of micro-irrigation methods with water harvesting storage structures (ponds, tanks, check dams, injection wells, etc.) and related afforestation to recharge aquifers.”
Why relevant

Recommends convergence of micro-irrigation with water-harvesting/storage structures (ponds, tanks, check dams) to recharge aquifers.

How to extend

A student could extend this by considering pumped-storage paired with surface storage (ponds/tanks) to shift water/power availability for irrigation scheduling.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Sources of Irrigation > p. 32
Strength: 3/5
“Depending on the availability of surface and underground water, slope of the land, nature of the soil, and the types of crops grown in a region, a number of sources of irrigation are utilised. The main sources of irrigation used in different parts of the country are: (i) canals, (ii) wells and tubewells, (iii) tanks, and (iv) other sources (springs, kuhls, Himachal Pradesh, swing-basket; dhenkli, dongs Assam, and bokka Telangana, etc.). The areas irrigated by the different sources have been plotted in (Fig. 9.8) while (Table 9.8) gives the temporal changes in the irrigated area under different sources.”
Why relevant

Lists wells/tubewells and tanks among main irrigation sources, highlighting both groundwater lifting and surface storage as common practices.

How to extend

A student could combine the idea of surface storage (tanks) and the energy needs of tubewell pumping to explore whether pumped-storage schemes might integrate with these local irrigation systems.

Statement 3
Is pumped-storage hydropower used or discussed as a technology for long-duration energy storage?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Pumped storage, or pumped storage hydropower (PSH), is a proven, existing, grid-scale, long-duration energy storage technology that currently provides over 90% of the utility-scale energy storage capacity in the United States."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is a proven, existing, grid-scale, long-duration energy storage technology.
  • Notes PSH currently provides over 90% of utility-scale energy storage capacity in the U.S., linking PSH to large-scale/long-duration storage applications.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The large MW-hours of storage capacity and flexibility of the pump-turbine equipment also enable PSH systems to provide electricity for a significantly longer duration (hours)"
Why this source?
  • Describes the large MW-hours of storage capacity and flexibility of pump-turbine equipment.
  • Says PSH systems can provide electricity for a significantly longer duration (hours), tying PSH to long-duration service.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"The Challenge of Defining Long-Duration Energy Storage... Life Cycle Assessment of Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower in the United States."
Why this source?
  • References reports and studies that connect pumped storage hydropower with the topic of long-duration energy storage.
  • Includes citations (NREL, life-cycle assessment of closed-loop PSH) indicating PSH is discussed in the context of defining and assessing long-duration storage.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > G) Pumped storage > p. 291
Strength: 5/5
“It works like a battery storing the electricity generated by other power sources like solar, wind, and nuclear for later use. When the demand for electricity is low, a pumped storage facility stores energy by pumping water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir. During periods of high electrical demand, the water is released back to the lower reservoir and turns a turbine, generating electricity. A11 Rights Reserved. No part ofthis material nay be reproduced in any form or bv any means, without permission in r.iting.”
Why relevant

Defines pumped storage as storing electricity from other sources (solar, wind, nuclear) by pumping water to an upper reservoir and releasing it later — i.e., an electricity storage system analogous to a battery.

How to extend

A student could combine this with basic facts about reservoir volumes and demand cycles to judge if pumped storage can provide multi-hour or multi-day (long-duration) storage.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > 22,.4.2 Small Hydro Power (SHP) > p. 292
Strength: 4/5
“Small hydro is defined as any hydro power project which has an installed capacity of less than 5 MW. It is in most cases run-of-river, where a dam or barrage is quite small, usually just a weir with little or no water stored. Therefore, run-of-river installations do not have the same kind of adverse effect on the local environment as large-scale hydro projects. Small hydropower plants can serve the energy needs of remote rural areas independently. India and China are the major players of the SHP sector, holding the highest number of installed projects.”
Why relevant

Distinguishes small (run-of-river) hydro projects that have little or no stored water from other hydropower types, implying storage capacity is a key design variable in hydro systems.

How to extend

Use this rule to infer that pumped-storage (which explicitly stores water) differs from run-of-river and could be assessed for longer-duration storage based on its reservoir storage capability.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > 23.23. OTHER "CRITICAL INITIATIVES" > p. 319
Strength: 3/5
“· In addition, India has 24 other "Critical Initiatives" in the anvil, for which detailed plans and an institutional framework is being prepared • Type: Energy Efficiency in Power Generation; Initiative: Super critical technologies Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) • Type: Technology; Initiative: Natural Gas based Power Plants Closed Cycle Three Stage Nuclear Power Programme Efficient Transmission and Distribution Hydropower • Type: Other Renewable Energy Technologies Programmes; Initiative: RETs for power generation Biomass based popup generation technologies Small scale Hydropower Wind Energy Grid connected systems RETs for 00 00 00 00 All Rights Reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form or by any means, without permission in writing.”
Why relevant

Lists hydropower among national renewable energy technology initiatives, indicating hydropower is considered within broader energy planning and technology portfolios.

How to extend

A student could note that inclusion in planning suggests hydropower variants (including storage-enabled ones) are candidates for addressing grid needs such as long-duration storage.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > Types Of Hydrogen Based On Extraction Methods > p. 298
Strength: 3/5
“zz,to,z, Types Of Hydrogen Based On Extraction Methods Depending on the nature of its extraction, hydrogen is categorized into three categories, namely, grey, blue and green. • Grey Hydrogen: it is produced via coal or lignite gasification {black orbrown}, or via a process called steam methane reformation (SMR) of natural gas or methane (grey). These tend to be mostly carbon-intensive processes. • Blue Hydrogen: It is produced via natural gas or coal gasification combined with carbon capture. storage (CCS) or carbon capture use (CCU) technologies to reduce carbon emissions. . Green Hydrogen: It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy.”
Why relevant

Describes green hydrogen produced by electrolysis using renewable electricity, presenting hydrogen as an alternative route to store renewable energy.

How to extend

Compare pumped storage (snippet 1) with electrolysis/hydrogen as alternative storage pathways to evaluate which are suited to long-duration needs given storage medium characteristics.

NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 5: Print Culture and the Modern World > Electricity > p. 115
Strength: 2/5
“Electricity has such a wide range of applications in today's world that, its percapita consumption is considered as an index of development. Electricity is generated mainly in two ways: by running water which drives hydro turbines to generate hydro electricity; and by burning other fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas to drive turbines to produce thermal power. Once generated the electricity is exactly the same.”
Why relevant

Explains hydroelectricity generation from running water driving turbines, underscoring the temporal aspect of converting stored or flowing water to electricity.

How to extend

Combine this with knowledge of reservoir management and demand timing to assess whether stored water (as in pumped storage) can supply extended-duration electricity.

Statement 4
Is pumped-storage hydropower used or discussed as a form of rainwater harvesting system?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Since both systems require storage of water for later use, is there a cost-effective way in which the two could be combined? Specifically in small-scale applications (farms, rural communities, campuses) where rooftops are already available for rainwater harvesting."
Why this source?
  • Directly discusses combining pumped energy (pumped-storage) with rainwater harvesting.
  • Specifically raises the question of using harvested rooftop rainwater as storage for pumped energy systems in small-scale applications.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"Hydropower Pumped Storage Hydropower ... Reservoir hydropower is a versatile form of hydropower, which can help store water for future use."
Why this source?
  • Describes pumped storage as a category of hydropower and notes that reservoir hydropower can 'help store water for future use', showing conceptual overlap with water storage practices.
  • Supports the idea that hydropower reservoirs (including pumped storage) are considered water-storage systems, which is relevant when discussing rainwater capture and storage integration.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > 22.4,t Tlpes of hydro power stations > p. 291
Strength: 5/5
“There are three types of hydropower facilities: impoundment, diversion, and pumped storage. Some hydropower plants use dams and some do not.”
Why relevant

Lists pumped storage as one of three hydropower facility types and notes some hydropower plants use dams/reservoirs.

How to extend

A student could note both pumped-storage and rainwater harvesting involve storing water in reservoirs and check whether pumped-storage reservoirs are ever supplied by harvested rainwater.

INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems > Rainwater Harvesting > p. 115
Strength: 5/5
“Rain Water Harvesting is the technique of collection and storage of rain water at surface or in sub-surface aquifer.”
Why relevant

Defines rainwater harvesting as collection and storage of rainwater at surface or in sub-surface aquifer.

How to extend

Use this definition to test whether pumped-storage facilities (surface reservoirs) fit the technical definition of rainwater harvesting when they store direct rainfall or runoff.

INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Water Resources > Rainwater Harvesting > p. 50
Strength: 4/5
“Traditional rainwater harvesting in rural areas is done by using surface storage bodies, like lakes, ponds, irrigation tanks, etc. In Rajasthan, rainwater harvesting structures locally known as Kund or Tanka (a covered underground tank) are constructed near or in the house or village to store harvested rainwater (see Fig. 4.3 to understand various ways of rainwater harvesting). There is a wide scope to use rainwater harvesting technique to conserve precious water resource. It can be done by harvesting rainwater on rooftops and open spaces. Harvesting rainwater also decreases the community dependence on groundwater for domestic use. Besides bridging the demandsupply gap, it can also save energy to pump groundwater as recharge leads to rise in groundwater table.”
Why relevant

Describes traditional RWH using surface storage bodies (lakes, ponds, underground tanks) and rooftop/open-space harvesting.

How to extend

Compare the types of storage used in RWH with the reservoirs used in pumped-storage to see if functional overlap exists (e.g., reservoirs accepting rooftop/runoff inputs).

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Rainwater Harvesting Practices > p. 36
Strength: 4/5
“There are two main practices of rainwater harvesting: • 1. Storage of rainwater on surface for future use. It is a traditional practice and structures used are underground tanks, ponds, check-dams, weirs, etc.• 2. Recharge of groundwater.”
Why relevant

Summarizes two main RWH practices: surface storage for future use and groundwater recharge, with examples like ponds and check-dams.

How to extend

A student could consider whether pumped-storage's surface storage role could be categorized under the 'surface storage for future use' practice of RWH.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > ii) Hydropower > p. 52
Strength: 3/5
“(ii) Hydropower Hydroelectricity is a renewable, cheap, clean and environmentally clean source of energy. River water, if not properly used, will drain into the sea as a waste. Hydroelectricity can meet largely the future requirements of energy both in the developing and developed countries. Water turbines have been used in a big way all over the world for over 100 years for the generation of hydro-power. Te water turbines are installed by constructing big or small dams across the perennial or seasonal rivers. Hydroelectricity generation was started in India in 1879 to supply electricity to the city of Darjeeling. Tough about 20 per cent of our electricity requirements are met by hydro-power, India has developed only a small percentage of its total water potential available.”
Why relevant

Explains hydropower commonly involves constructing dams across rivers and using water turbines, highlighting large-scale reservoir use.

How to extend

This suggests pumped-storage (a hydropower variant) typically relies on river/dam reservoirs; one can therefore investigate whether such reservoirs are managed/filled as part of rainwater harvesting programs.

Pattern takeaway: The 'Contextual Definition' Pattern: UPSC frequently asks 'Term X is discussed in the context of...'. The answer is rarely a niche application (like irrigation) but the *primary policy driver* (Energy Storage). If a tech involves water but solves an energy problem, the answer is Energy.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hit from Shankar IAS (Ch 22, Renewable Energy) or any basic reading of the 'National Electricity Plan'.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Renewable Energy Integration & Grid Stability. The shift from 'Generation' focus to 'Storage' focus to handle solar/wind intermittency.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Energy Storage Hierarchy': 1. Li-ion Batteries (Short duration, EVs), 2. Pumped Storage (Long duration, Grid balancing), 3. Green Hydrogen (Seasonal storage), 4. Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES), 5. Gravity Storage. Know the difference between 'Open-loop' (connected to river) and 'Closed-loop' (isolated reservoirs) PSH.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: The examiner uses the 'Context' frame. They don't ask 'How does it work?'; they ask 'What problem does it solve?'. Always map technologies to the macro-problem (e.g., Solar works only in daytime -> Need PSH for night).
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Types of hydropower: impoundment, diversion, pumped-storage
💡 The insight

Pumped-storage is listed as a distinct category of hydropower alongside impoundment and diversion.

Understanding hydropower classifications helps answer questions on energy infrastructure and its operational modes; links to topics on renewable energy policy and project design. High-yield for questions that contrast storage-based and run-of-river schemes and their suitability for multipurpose use.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > 22.4,t Tlpes of hydro power stations > p. 291
🔗 Anchor: "Is pumped-storage hydropower used or discussed for irrigation of terraced crop f..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Multi-purpose dams: integration of irrigation and hydropower
💡 The insight

Dams are described as multi-purpose projects combining water storage for irrigation and hydel power generation.

Critical for questions on water resource management, river basin projects, and developmental trade-offs; connects hydrology, agriculture (irrigation planning), and energy sectors. Enables analysis-style answers on benefits and conflicts in multipurpose projects.

📚 Reading List :
  • NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 3: The Making of a Global World > Hydraulic Structures in Ancient India > p. 56
🔗 Anchor: "Is pumped-storage hydropower used or discussed for irrigation of terraced crop f..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Sources of irrigation and role of storage/micro-irrigation
💡 The insight

Irrigation relies on canals, wells, tanks and benefits from integration with storage structures and micro-irrigation methods.

Useful for questions on irrigation planning, water-use efficiency, and rural agrarian policy; links to topics on groundwater management, micro-irrigation schemes, and water-harvesting measures. Helps frame policy recommendations and comparative evaluations of irrigation technologies.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Sources of Irrigation > p. 32
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > 4. Micro-Irrigation > p. 365
🔗 Anchor: "Is pumped-storage hydropower used or discussed for irrigation of terraced crop f..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Types of hydropower (including pumped storage)
💡 The insight

Pumped storage is a distinct category of hydropower and is the relevant technology when asking about using hydropower for auxiliary tasks such as lift irrigation.

High-yield for questions linking energy systems with water management; helps connect chapters on renewable energy, hydroelectric classification, and infrastructure planning. Mastery enables answering questions about suitability and functions of different hydropower types.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > 22.4,t Tlpes of hydro power stations > p. 291
🔗 Anchor: "Is pumped-storage hydropower used or discussed for lift irrigation of cereal cro..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Lift irrigation and tube-well pumping
💡 The insight

Lift irrigation involves mechanically lifting groundwater (tube-wells/pumps) to irrigate crops like rice and wheat, highlighting energy needs and groundwater impacts.

Crucial for questions on irrigation methods, groundwater depletion, and energy-agriculture linkages; links agriculture, water resources, and energy policy topics, and helps evaluate technological interventions for irrigation.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > 5. Lowering of the Underground Water-Table > p. 70
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Table 9.9 > p. 39
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 25: Agriculture > Garden landl irrigated Dry land farming > p. 359
🔗 Anchor: "Is pumped-storage hydropower used or discussed for lift irrigation of cereal cro..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Sources of irrigation (canals, wells, tanks)
💡 The insight

Identifying major irrigation sources frames where additional technologies (e.g., pumped systems) might be applied or considered.

Useful for framing answers on regional irrigation patterns, resource management, and planning; connects physical geography with agricultural practices and infrastructure choices.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Sources of Irrigation > p. 32
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Tank Irrigation > p. 72
🔗 Anchor: "Is pumped-storage hydropower used or discussed for lift irrigation of cereal cro..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Pumped-storage as grid-scale energy storage
💡 The insight

Pumped-storage operates like a battery by moving water between reservoirs to store electricity for later use.

High-yield for UPSC because it connects renewable integration, grid stability and energy storage policy; useful in questions on balancing variable renewable generation and storage technologies. Understanding this enables answers on how power systems manage peak demand and intermittency.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > G) Pumped storage > p. 291
🔗 Anchor: "Is pumped-storage hydropower used or discussed as a technology for long-duration..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

Closed-loop Pumped Storage. The next logical question is: 'Does Pumped Storage require a flowing river?' The answer is NO. Closed-loop systems circulate water between two isolated reservoirs without connecting to a natural river body, minimizing environmental impact.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

The 'Name-Match' Hack. The term is 'Pumped-**Storage** Hydropower'. Look at the options. Option A (Irrigation), B (Irrigation), and D (Harvesting) describe water *usage* or *collection*. Only Option C contains the word **Storage**. In science definitions, the function is often hidden in the name.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS3 (Energy Security): PSH is the solution to the 'Duck Curve' phenomenon—the timing imbalance between peak solar generation (afternoon) and peak demand (evening). It acts as a 'Water Battery' to stabilize the grid.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

NDA-II · 2014 · Q48 Relevance score: -4.34

Which one of the following pairs of power projects is not correctly matched?

CDS-II · 2009 · Q32 Relevance score: -6.97

In a significant climate responsive project, in which one of the following places, recently an abandoned thermal power plant has been converted into a mega solar power generating station which poised to give a huge fillip to India’s renewable energy ambition?

NDA-I · 2011 · Q19 Relevance score: -6.98

Which one among the following is not a source of renewable energy ?

CDS-II · 2016 · Q3 Relevance score: -7.00

Which one of the following is the largest source of electricity in India?

IAS · 2020 · Q18 Relevance score: -7.05

With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements : 1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps. 2. Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?