CDS 2026 (I) General Knowledge, question 74

Topic: Geography

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Q74

Consider the following statements about the types of drought in India :

  1. A meteorological drought occurs when the mean annual rainfall is less than 75%.

  2. Agricultural drought arises out of extreme moisture stress.

  3. Soil moisture drought is related to meteorological drought.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

  1. (a) 1 and 2 only
  2. (b) 2 and 3 only
  3. (c) 1 and 3 only
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3Correct answer

Solution.

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

  1. Statement 1 is correct: IMD calls it meteorological drought when rainfall is less than 75% of normal, a shortfall of more than 25%.
  2. Statement 2 is correct: agricultural drought sets in when soil moisture is too low for crops, which is extreme moisture stress.
  3. Statement 3 is correct: soil moisture (agricultural) drought follows a meteorological drought, when low rainfall dries out the soil.

Trap: Statement 1 says less than 75% without of normal, which looks incomplete, but 75% of normal rainfall is the standard IMD threshold.