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1 August 2026

Cauvery water dispute

The Cauvery water dispute involves the functioning of a statutory body (CWMA) and highlights critical issues in federal water sharing, resource management, and irrigation policy, which are core topics for UPSC Mains.

1 min read Day 11 of 26 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for a 15-day period.
  • The directive upholds an earlier recommendation by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC).
  • Karnataka cites poor reservoir storage levels as the primary reason for its inability to comply with the release directive.
  • Current storage levels in Karnataka's four major Cauvery basin reservoirs: Harangi (95%), Kabini (83%), Hemavathi (67%), and KRS (36%).
  • Karnataka officials state that water releases to Tamil Nadu up to July this year represent the lowest quantum in the last 100 years.
  • The CWRC recommended approximately half of the 9.94 tmcft of water originally requested by Tamil Nadu.

Part of a longer story

This is day 11 of 26 in Mekedatu dam project dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which has been running since 21 June 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

  1. Discuss the role of inter-state water dispute resolution mechanisms in maintaining federal harmony in India. How do institutional bodies like the CWMA balance the competing water requirements of riparian states during periods of distress? 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The management of trans-boundary river waters remains a significant challenge for Indian federalism. Critically examine the efficacy of statutory authorities in addressing water-sharing disputes, considering the constraints of climate variability and the constitutional provisions governing inter-state river water disputes. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which of the following bodies is responsible for the regulation and management of water sharing in the Cauvery basin?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-08-01/cauvery-water-dispute