What is the common examiner trap about Environment in UPSC exams?

They may ask about the '5% model' but provide options mentioning different percentages (e.g., 10% model) or confuse it with a different water conservation scheme like 'Jal Jeevan Mission'. They might also swap the supporting scheme (MGNREGS) with another rural development scheme.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Environment for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Groundwater level improved from 6.6 metres BGL (2024) to 3.89 metres BGL (2025) 2. Target this Nodal Body: Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) 3. Target this Scheme: MGNREGS (now Viksit Bharat Rozgar Mission)

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News 8 of 15

Korea District's '5% Model' Achieves 15-fold Increase in Soak Pits (30,000) Using MGNREGS, Boosts Groundwater by 2.71 Metres

Q: Which central government ministry oversees the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), whose data is cited in the article?

Ministry of Jal Shakti — The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which is responsible for water resources management in India. This ministry was formed by merging the former Ministry of Water Resources with other related departments.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the '5% model' in Korea district: 1. It involves dedicating 5% of agricultural land for the construction of contour trenches. 2. The initiative was supported under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). 3. According to CGWB data, the post-monsoon groundwater level improved from 6.6 metres BGL in 2024 to 3.89 metres BGL in 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 2 and 3 — Statement 1 is incorrect. The '5% model' involves dedicating land for soak pits, not contour trenches. Contour trenches are part of the separate '30-40 model'. Statement 2 is correct as the article mentions the interventions were undertaken mostly under MGNREGS. Statement 3 is correct as per the CGWB data cited in the article.

Q: According to the article, how many soak pits were dug in Korea district between February and May this year (2026), showcasing a 15-fold increase?

Approximately 30,000 — The article states that between February and May this year, villagers dug around 30,000 soak pits, which is a 15-fold increase over the previous year's count of nearly 2,000 pits. This is a key data point highlighting the scalability of the model.

Q: What is the primary objective of the '5% model' implemented in Korea district?

To recharge groundwater and retain soil moisture through community-built soak pits — The primary objective of the '5% model' is groundwater recharge and soil moisture retention. As explained by the district CEO, soak pits help recharge groundwater and retain soil moisture, improving agricultural productivity. The model is community-built and does not involve cash transfers or replacing piped water infrastructure.

Environment Agriculture PolitySUPPORT

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

15 Jun 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:Groundwater level: 6.6m BGL (2024) to 3.89m BGL (2025)Soak pits: ~2,000 (2025), ~30,000 (2026)

Bodies:Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)Korea Zila Panchayat

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.The '5% model' in Korea district encourages villagers to use 5% of agricultural land for soak pits to recharge groundwater.

2.The initiative, supported by MGNREGS (Viksit Bharat Rozgar Mission), saw a 15-fold jump from 2,000 pits in 2025 to 30,000 pits in 2026.

3.Central Ground Water Board data shows groundwater level improved from 6.6 metres BGL in 2024 to 3.89 metres BGL in 2025.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Korea district in Chhattisgarh has successfully implemented a community-led '5% model' for groundwater recharge, where farmers dedicate 5% of their land for soak pits. This initiative, supported by MGNREGS, led to a 15-fold increase in soak pits (30,000 in 2026) and a measurable improvement in groundwater levels, highlighting a scalable grassroots solution for water conservation.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

DistrictKorea, Chhattisgarh

Model Name'5% Model'

Soak Pits in 2025~2,000

Soak Pits in 2026~30,000

Groundwater ImprovementFrom 6.6m BGL (2024) to 3.89m BGL (2025)

Supporting SchemeMGNREGS (Viksit Bharat Rozgar Mission)

Branded CampaignAawa Paani Jhonki

Other Model'30-40 Model' (30ft x 40ft trenches)

1-Minute Revision

›District: Korea, Chhattisgarh
›Model Name: '5% Model'
›Target this Data: Groundwater level improved from 6.6 metres BGL (2024) to 3.89 metres BGL (2025)
›Target this Nodal Body: Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
›Target this Scheme: MGNREGS (now Viksit Bharat Rozgar Mission)

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News Snapshot

💧

Community-Driven Model

The '5% model' mandates dedicating 5% of agricultural land for soak pits, turning water conservation into a community movement.

📈

Scalable Success

The initiative saw exponential growth, with soak pits increasing 15-fold from 2,000 in 2025 to 30,000 in 2026.

📊

Measurable Impact

CGWB data confirms groundwater level improved by 2.71 metres post-monsoon between 2024 and 2025 due to these interventions.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Korea district, located in a groundwater recharge zone, faced declining water levels despite its natural advantage. Water scarcity during summer was a persistent issue for 5-6 years, affecting agriculture and daily needs. This created the need for a sustainable, community-based intervention beyond traditional government schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission.

Core Analysis & Implications

The '5% model' is a low-cost, high-impact solution leveraging existing resources (MGNREGS) and community participation. It addresses groundwater recharge and soil moisture retention, directly boosting agricultural productivity. The model's scalability is proven by the 15-fold increase in adoption. It demonstrates how decentralised, awareness-driven initiatives can complement and sometimes outperform centrally-funded infrastructure schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission in specific contexts.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil has suggested adopting this as a national policy. The district aims to make water conservation a 'community tradition'. The success paves the way for integrating such grassroots models with national water missions, creating a hybrid approach of top-down funding (MGNREGS) and bottom-up execution ('5% model') for sustainable water management across India.

Key Facts at a Glance

DistrictKorea, Chhattisgarh

Model Name'5% Model'

Soak Pits in 2025~2,000

Soak Pits in 2026~30,000

Groundwater ImprovementFrom 6.6m BGL (2024) to 3.89m BGL (2025)

Supporting SchemeMGNREGS (Viksit Bharat Rozgar Mission)

Branded CampaignAawa Paani Jhonki

Other Model'30-40 Model' (30ft x 40ft trenches)

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which central government ministry oversees the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), whose data is cited in the article?

2Statement-basedHardUPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the '5% model' in Korea district:

1. It involves dedicating 5% of agricultural land for the construction of contour trenches.

2. The initiative was supported under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

3. According to CGWB data, the post-monsoon groundwater level improved from 6.6 metres BGL in 2024 to 3.89 metres BGL in 2025.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC

According to the article, how many soak pits were dug in Korea district between February and May this year (2026), showcasing a 15-fold increase?

4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is the primary objective of the '5% model' implemented in Korea district?

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Korea District's '5% Model' Achieves 15-fold Increase in Soak Pits (30,000) Using MGNREGS, Boosts Groundwater by 2.71 Metres

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Community-Driven Model

Scalable Success

Measurable Impact

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance