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Past Questions — 2026
Which of the following is a common problem in unlined irrigation channels?
A)
Reduced seepage losses
B)
Increased water velocity
C)
Waterlogging and seepage
D)
Higher construction cost
Unlined irrigation channels allow water to seep through the bed and sides into surrounding soil. This seepage can raise the groundwater table and cause waterlogging in nearby fields. Hence, waterlogging and seepage are common problems in unlined channels. Option (a) is incorrect because unlined channels have increased, not reduced, seepage losses. Option (b) is not the main problem associated with unlined channels. Option (d) is incorrect because higher construction cost is generally a feature of lined channels, not unlined ones.
Manning’s formula is used for:
A)
Head loss due to friction in pipes
B)
Head loss due to friction in open channel
C)
Flow in open channel
D)
Flow in pipes
Manning’s formula is used to compute the discharge/velocity of flow in open channels such as canals, rivers, and drains. It relates flow to channel roughness, hydraulic radius, and slope.
Why others are wrong:
- (a) Head loss due to friction in pipes: this is generally given by Darcy-Weisbach or Hazen-Williams formula.
- (b) Head loss due to friction in open channel: Manning’s formula is not directly a head-loss formula; it is primarily a flow-velocity/discharge formula.
- (d) Flow in pipes: pipe flow is usually analyzed using formulas like Darcy-Weisbach, not Manning’s formula.
So, the correct answer is flow in open channel.
A staff reading taken on a point of known elevation is known as:
A)
Fore sight
B)
Back Sight
C)
Intermediate Sight
D)
Turning point
A staff reading taken on a point of known elevation is called a **Back Sight (BS)**. It is the first reading taken after setting up the instrument, usually on a benchmark or any point whose reduced level is already known, to establish the height of instrument.
Why others are incorrect:
- **Fore sight**: reading taken on a point of unknown elevation or the last reading before shifting the instrument.
- **Intermediate sight**: readings taken on points of unknown RL between BS and FS.
- **Turning point**: not a type of staff reading; it is a point used to transfer RL when shifting the instrument.
In a lined irrigation channel, the most economical section is achieved when:
A)
Hydraulic radius = half the depth
B)
Hydraulic mean depth = half the width
C)
Wetted perimeter is minimum for a given discharge
D)
Velocity distribution is uniform across the section
The most economical section of a lined irrigation channel is the one that gives maximum discharge for a given area/roughness, or equivalently minimum wetted perimeter for a given flow area and discharge. This reduces boundary friction losses and makes the section hydraulically efficient. Option (a) is not the defining condition, (b) is not a standard criterion, and (d) relates to velocity profile, not economic section.
Seasoning of timber is done to
A)
Make it waterproof
B)
Expel moisture from timber
C)
Increase its strength
D)
Heat the timber
Seasoning is the process of drying timber to reduce its moisture content. This makes the wood more durable, stable, and less likely to warp, shrink, or decay. So, the correct purpose is to expel moisture from timber.
(a) Waterproofing is not the main aim of seasoning.
(c) Strength may improve indirectly after seasoning, but that is not the direct purpose.
(d) Heating may be used in some seasoning methods, but seasoning itself means removal of moisture, not merely heating.
Which method is widely used in India for the computation of consumptive use?
A)
Penman’s equation
B)
Hargreaves – Christiansen equation
C)
Blaney-Criddle equation
D)
Tanks and lysimeter
Consumptive use (crop evapotranspiration) is commonly estimated by empirical methods. In India, the Blaney-Criddle equation has been widely used because it is simple and needs only temperature and daylight data. Penman’s equation is more rigorous and data-intensive, Hargreaves–Christiansen is also an estimation method but not the most widely used standard answer here, and tanks/lysimeters are measurement devices rather than the commonly cited computation method.
Type of surveying in which the mean surface of the earth is considered as a plane and the spheroidal shape is neglected called as ________.
A)
Topographic Surveying
B)
Hydrographic Surveying
C)
Geodetic Surveying
D)
Plane Surveying
In plane surveying, the mean surface of the earth is assumed to be a plane and the curvature (spheroidal shape) of the earth is neglected. This approximation is valid for small areas. Geodetic surveying, on the other hand, considers the earth's curvature for large areas. Therefore, the correct answer is Plane Surveying.
How does the strength of concrete differ with the age of concrete?
A)
Increases
B)
Decreases
C)
No effect
D)
Increases, then decreases
Concrete gains strength with age because hydration of cement continues over time, forming more binding products. Hence, its compressive strength generally increases as the concrete gets older. Options (b) and (c) are incorrect because strength does not decrease or remain unaffected. Option (d) is incorrect because under normal conditions concrete does not first increase and then decrease with age.
Irrigation canals are generally aligned along :
A)
Ridgeline
B)
Contour line
C)
Valley line
D)
Straight line
Irrigation canals are generally aligned along the contour line because a canal must carry water with a very small longitudinal slope. Following the contour helps maintain a gentle grade and allows water to flow by gravity without excessive cutting or filling.
Why not the others?
- Ridgeline: Canals are not usually placed on ridges; ridges are high ground and would not suit canal alignment.
- Valley line: Valleys are generally for drains or natural streams, not for main canal alignment.
- Straight line: Canals may be approximately straight in sections, but their general alignment follows ground contours rather than an arbitrary straight path.
Which of the following is the first principle of surveying?
A)
Whole to whole
B)
Part to part
C)
Whole to part
D)
Part to whole
The first principle of surveying is to work from the whole to the part. This means the main control points are fixed first with high precision, and then the smaller details are filled in. This helps prevent the accumulation of errors. 'Part to part' is incorrect because it can magnify errors, and 'whole to whole' or 'part to whole' are not the standard surveying principles.
The total area that can be irrigated from a project on its full utilization in a design agricultural area is:
A)
Ultimate Irrigation Potential
B)
Gross Irrigated Area
C)
Irrigation Potential Utilized
D)
Irrigation Potential Created
The phrase "total area that can be irrigated from a project on its full utilization in a design agricultural area" refers to the maximum irrigation capability planned for the project, i.e., the **Ultimate Irrigation Potential**.
- **Ultimate Irrigation Potential** = the total area that the project can irrigate when fully developed/utilized.
- **Gross Irrigated Area** = total area actually irrigated in a season, including repeated irrigation of the same land, so it is not the design potential.
- **Irrigation Potential Utilized** = the portion of created potential that has actually been put to use.
- **Irrigation Potential Created** = the area for which irrigation facilities have been constructed, but it is not specifically the phrase used for total area on full utilization of the design agricultural area.
Hence, the correct answer is **(a) Ultimate Irrigation Potential**.
Which factors govern the shape of a hydrograph?
A)
Climatic factors
B)
River characteristics
C)
Climatic and physiographic factors
D)
Physiographic factors
A hydrograph shows runoff response of a catchment to rainfall. Its shape depends on both climatic factors, such as rainfall intensity, duration, and distribution, and physiographic factors, such as basin size, shape, slope, soil type, land use, and drainage characteristics. Hence, the correct answer is climatic and physiographic factors. The other options are incomplete because each alone explains only part of the hydrograph shape.
The growing of two or more crops on the same piece of land within one calendar year is known as:
A)
Multiple cropping
B)
Inter-cropping
C)
Mono-cropping
D)
Sequential
Growing two or more crops on the same piece of land within one calendar year is called multiple cropping. It is a broad term that includes systems like inter-cropping and sequential cropping. Inter-cropping means growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field, while mono-cropping means growing only one crop repeatedly. 'Sequential' alone is incomplete here; the correct technical term is multiple cropping.
Which term is used for the surface to which elevations are referred?
A)
Benchmark
B)
Level line
C)
Horizontal plane
D)
Datum
In surveying, a datum is the reference surface or level to which elevations are referred. It serves as the zero or base level for measuring heights. A benchmark is only a marked point of known elevation, a level line is a line connecting points of equal elevation, and a horizontal plane is a flat plane but not the specific reference surface for elevations.
What is the main difference between a dam and weir?
A)
Material used for Construction
B)
Height and Duration of Storage
C)
Capacity of Water
D)
Location of the Structure
A dam is generally a higher structure built to store water for a long period and create a reservoir. A weir is usually lower and is mainly used to raise the water level or divert flow, with little or no long-term storage. Hence, the main difference is the height of the structure and the duration of storage. The other options are not the key distinguishing features.
In irrigation channel design, the term “command area” refers to:
A)
Area under the control of irrigation department
B)
Area that can be irrigated by a canal system
C)
Area occupied by canal structures
D)
Area reserved for drainage
In irrigation engineering, the command area is the area commanded by a canal or irrigation project, i.e., the land that can be irrigated by that canal system under gravity or planned supply. Option (a) is incorrect because it refers to administrative control, not irrigation coverage. Option (c) is only the land occupied by physical canal works, which is not the meaning of command area. Option (d) refers to drainage land, which is unrelated.
To make out an estimate for a work, the following data are necessary-Drawing, Specification and __________.
A)
Materials
B)
Rates
C)
Labours
D)
Transportation
To prepare an estimate for a work, the essential inputs are the drawing, the specification, and the rates of materials, labour, and other items. The drawing shows the dimensions, the specification gives the quality and method of work, and the rates are needed to calculate the cost. Therefore, the correct completion is 'Rates'. Options like materials, labours, or transportation are included in the estimate, but without rates the cost cannot be worked out.
Which type of irrigation method uses supply ditch, borders, ridges?
A)
Border Flooding
B)
Check Flooding
C)
Basin Flooding
D)
Drip Irrigation Method
In border flooding, the field is divided into long strips (borders) separated by ridges, and water is supplied through a supply ditch at the head of the borders. This matches the description given in the question. Check flooding uses small basins enclosed by bunds, basin flooding is for trees/orchards, and drip irrigation delivers water drop by drop through pipes, not by supply ditch and borders.
Which of the following is the last step in chain surveying?
A)
Fixing
B)
Reconnaissance
C)
Running survey lines
D)
Marking
In chain surveying, the usual sequence is: reconnaissance, marking stations, running survey lines, and then fixing the stations/pegs on the ground. Hence, the last step is fixing.
- Reconnaissance is the first step.
- Marking and running survey lines come next.
- Fixing is done at the end to establish the survey points permanently.
Concrete placed in cold weather will take __________ time to gain strength.
A)
no
B)
less
C)
more
D)
equal to hot weather
In cold weather, the hydration reaction of cement slows down because low temperature reduces the rate of chemical reaction. As a result, concrete gains strength more slowly and takes more time to develop the required strength. Therefore, the correct answer is 'more'. Options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect because concrete does not gain strength immediately, does not gain it faster, and does not gain it at the same rate as in hot weather.
A rectangular plot of land is to be excavated 20 m long, 10 m wide and 3m deep. What is the volume of earth to be excavated?
A)
500 m3
B)
600 m3
C)
700 m3
D)
800 m3
Volume of a rectangular excavation = length × width × depth. So, 20 × 10 × 3 = 600 cubic metres. Therefore, the correct answer is 600 m3. The other options do not match the calculated volume.
At which point in the entire canal system the duty of water will be more?
A)
Head of the Minor
B)
Head of the Distributary
C)
Head of the Water-course
D)
Head of the Branch
Duty of water increases as we move downstream in a canal system because the same canal supply serves a larger command area due to accumulated conveyance and distribution. Among the given points, the head of the minor is farther downstream than the branch, distributary, and water-course heads, so the duty is maximum there. The water-course head has the lowest duty because it is the last outlet before actual field application.
Alumina in excess _________.
A)
reduces the strength of the cement
B)
increases the strength of the cement
C)
causes no change
D)
sometimes increase or decrease the strength of the cement
Alumina (Al2O3) in cement is useful in small amounts because it helps in quick setting and lowers the fusion temperature. However, if alumina is present in excess, it makes the cement more liable to shrink and reduces its overall strength and durability. Therefore, the correct answer is that excess alumina reduces the strength of the cement.
In 1 cum of 1:1.5:3 cement concrete, the cement quantity is-
A)
350 kgs
B)
476 kgs
C)
500 kgs
D)
400kgs
For 1 cum of nominal concrete mix 1:1.5:3, the dry volume is taken as about 1.54 cum. Total proportion = 1 + 1.5 + 3 = 5.5. Cement share = (1/5.5) × 1.54 = 0.28 cum approximately. Since 1 cum of cement weighs about 1440 kg, cement quantity = 0.28 × 1440 ≈ 403 kg, which is taken as about 400 kg. Hence option (d) is correct. The other values are not close to the standard estimate for this mix.
What does grade 33 cement indicate?
A)
Tensile strength of 33 kN/m2
B)
Tensile strength of 33 N/mm2
C)
Compressive strength of 33 kN/m2
D)
Compressive strength of 33 N/mm2
In cement grading, the grade number denotes the minimum compressive strength of standard cement mortar cubes after 28 days, measured in N/mm² (MPa). So, Grade 33 cement means a compressive strength of 33 N/mm². Tensile strength is not used for cement grading, and kN/m² is not the correct unit here.