For Prelims: Drought, Contingency plan, Tehsil
For Mains: Environment: Drought and disaster management; Agriculture: Drought and rural livelihoods
Source:
Dainik Bhaskar
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Rajasthan announced a ₹9,321 crore special drought relief package.
- The drought declaration covers 15 districts.
- A total of 87 tehsils were declared drought-affected.
- Severe drought was declared in 73 tehsils and moderate drought in 14.
- Rajasthan's rainfall was approximately 20% below normal.
The news
Rajasthan has declared 87 tehsils across 15 districts drought-affected after the monsoon rainfall was approximately 20% below normal. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced a special relief package of ₹9,321 crore at a high-level meeting in Jaipur on Friday, directing officials to ensure no delay in relief work. The declaration covers 73 tehsils classified as severely drought-affected and 14 as moderately drought-affected, affecting farmers, livestock keepers and the general public.
The relief package includes measures for drinking water, employment and livestock fodder. The water supply department has been directed to arrange water under a contingency plan, with tanker supplies where needed and immediate electricity connections for tube wells. The rural development department will provide employment and livelihood support through schemes including VB-G RAM G, Rajivika and housing schemes. Fodder depots will be opened where required, and gaushalas will also arrange fodder for cattle.
Rajasthan drought relief package: why in the news?
Rajasthan declared 87 tehsils drought-affected and announced a ₹9,321 crore relief package after monsoon rainfall was about 20% below normal, making it a major state-level disaster response.
How is drought severity classified?
The state government has classified 73 tehsils as severely drought-affected and 14 as moderately drought-affected. The classification determines the scale and type of relief measures to be deployed. The large number of severely affected tehsils indicates a widespread crisis requiring coordinated action across water supply, rural development and animal husbandry departments.
What relief measures have been announced?
The ₹9,321 crore package addresses three main areas: drinking water, employment and livestock fodder. The water supply department will implement a contingency plan using tankers and expedited tube-well electricity connections. The rural development department will provide jobs through VB-G RAM G, Rajivika and housing schemes. Fodder depots and gaushalas will manage cattle feed in affected areas.
Drought classification in Rajasthan
| Category | Number of tehsils |
|---|---|
| Severe | 73 |
| Moderate | 14 |
Rajasthan connection
Rajasthan drought relief package: facts and terms for exams
- Drought:
- A prolonged period of deficient water availability, often associated with below-normal rainfall.
- Contingency plan:
- A plan prepared to address a possible emergency or disruption.
- Tehsil:
- An administrative subdivision of a district used for functions including revenue administration.
Rajasthan drought relief package: why it matters for exams
Exams: RPSC RAS, RSSB
Syllabus: Environment: Drought and disaster management; Agriculture: Drought and rural livelihoods
Common mistake: Examiners may swap the severe and moderate categories: 73 tehsils are severely affected, while 14 are moderately affected. The package is announced, not proof that the entire amount has been spent.
Mains question on Rajasthan drought relief package
Examine the effectiveness of state-level drought relief packages in addressing the interlinked challenges of water scarcity, livelihood loss and fodder shortage, with reference to Rajasthan's ₹9,321 crore package.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Rajasthan has declared drought in areas where water shortages have followed below-normal rainfall. The government announced a relief package and directed departments to plan water supplies, livelihood support and fodder arrangements. The package is an announcement; the planned measures must be delivered to affected communities.
- Environment: Drought and disaster management
- Agriculture: Drought and rural livelihoods
Related concepts: Drought, Contingency plan, Tehsil
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which Rajasthan department was directed to arrange drinking water under a contingency plan for drought-affected areas?
Explanation: The water supply department was directed to make drinking-water arrangements under a contingency plan. The rural development department was assigned livelihood support, while the Chief Minister's Office hosted the review and cattle shelters were linked to fodder arrangements.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements about Rajasthan's 2026 drought declaration:
- 1.It covers 87 tehsils across 15 districts.
- 2.Fourteen tehsils are severely affected and 73 are moderately affected.
- 3.Rainfall was approximately 20% below normal.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 correctly state the coverage and approximate rainfall deficit. Statement 2 reverses the categories: 73 tehsils are severely affected and 14 are moderately affected.
- Q3Medium
What was the special drought relief package announced by Rajasthan in 2026?
Explanation: Rajasthan announced a ₹9,321 crore special package for drought relief. The other amounts differ from the announced figure.
- Q4Medium
What is the purpose of opening fodder depots where needed in Rajasthan's drought-affected areas?
Explanation: Fodder depots address the feed needs of livestock in affected areas. Rainfall measurement, tube-well connections and drinking-water supply are distinct from fodder provision.
Frequently asked questions
1. How many Rajasthan districts and tehsils were declared drought-affected in 2026?
The declaration covers 87 tehsils in 15 districts.
2. How many Rajasthan tehsils were classified as severely drought-affected?
A total of 73 tehsils were classified as severely affected; another 14 were classified as moderately affected.
3. What was the size of Rajasthan's announced drought relief package?
The special package was announced at ₹9,321 crore.
4. What drinking-water measures were planned for Rajasthan's drought-affected areas?
The water supply department was directed to arrange water under a contingency plan, including tanker supplies where needed and prompt electricity connections for tube wells.
All sources
- Original14 November 2026 · Read story
- Merged13 November 2026 · Read story
