2026 · Q74
Consider the following statements about the types of drought in India :
- 1A meteorological drought occurs when the mean annual rainfall is less than 75%.
- 2Agricultural drought arises out of extreme moisture stress.
- 3Soil moisture drought is related to meteorological drought.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
General KnowledgeGeography
- A1 and 2 only
- B1, 2 and 3
- C1 and 3 only
- D2 and 3 only
Explanation
The India Meteorological Department defines meteorological drought as occurring when seasonal or annual rainfall is less than 75 percent of normal (statement 1 true). Agricultural drought arises from extreme moisture stress in the root zone that damages crops (statement 2 true). Soil moisture drought is directly linked to deficient precipitation, i.e., to meteorological drought (statement 3 true). All three statements are correct. Note: UPSC's published key marks option D, but the 75 percent threshold is the standard IMD criterion.