Current Affairs

Sign in
GeographyGS1
GS1

Rajasthan Drought Declaration for Tehsils and Relief Measures

Source:newsonair ↗

Why It Matters

Important for RPSC aspirants tracking Rajasthan's geography, agricultural vulnerability, and disaster management policies.

Summary

The Rajasthan government declared 80 tehsils across 14 districts as drought-affected due to deficient rainfall and Kharif crop damage. Jodhpur, Jalore, and Barmer recorded the highest impact. The classification includes 69 severely affected and 11 moderately affected tehsils, unlocking relief measures such as fodder depots and agricultural loan suspension for six months.

Key Points

  • The Rajasthan government has declared 80 tehsils across 14 districts as drought-affected due to deficient rainfall and Kharif crop damage.
  • Out of the 80 tehsils, 69 are classified as severely affected and 11 as moderately affected.
  • Jodhpur has the highest number of drought-affected tehsils (12), followed by Jalore and Barmer (10 each).
  • The declaration remains in effect for six months, facilitating relief measures like opening fodder depots and suspending agricultural loan recoveries.

Important Terms

Tehsil

An administrative sub-division of a district in Rajasthan, which forms the core territorial unit used for assessing crop loss, rainfall deficiency, and administering targeted drought relief measures.

UPSC context

Important for RPSC Rajasthan Geography and Administration, testing knowledge of administrative units and district-level governance structures.

Source
Kharif Crop

The principal summer crop season in Rajasthan, heavily dependent on southwest monsoon rainfall for cultivation of crops like bajra, maize, and pulses.

UPSC context

Crucial for RPSC Rajasthan Economy and Agriculture, testing understanding of cropping patterns, seasonal agriculture, and climate vulnerability.

Source
State Government Relief Measures

Administrative interventions by the state government, including establishing fodder depots and suspending agricultural loan recoveries, to support distressed farmers and livestock.

UPSC context

Tests RPSC Government Schemes and Governance syllabus, focusing on calamity management, welfare policies, and administrative responses.

Source

Static Concepts Connected

Rajasthan Geography and Disaster Management

What are the key institutional mechanisms and relief provisions for drought management in Rajasthan?

  • Manual Guidelines: Drought declarations follow the Manual for Drought Management issued by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, utilizing indices like rainfall deficiency, soil moisture, and crop condition.
  • Relief Provisions: Relief measures include suspension/conversion of short-term agricultural loans, opening of cattle fodder depots, wage employment under MGNREGS, and distribution of input subsidies.
  • SDRF Funding: State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), managed as per 75:25 (Centre:State) sharing, forms the core financial backbone for immediate drought relief operations.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Drought Declaration & National Disaster Management Guidelines

    State drought declarations follow the Centre's Drought Management Manual guidelines, linking state disaster relief funds with national-level meteorological and agricultural indices like the Aridity Anomaly Index.

  • Western Rajasthan Aridity & Desertification Mapping

    Western Rajasthan's recurring arid vulnerability directly connects agrarian distress to the desertification monitoring frameworks overseen by CAZRI and ISRO's desert mapping.

RPSC likes specific data points on disaster relief: expect questions matching affected districts (Jodhpur, Jalore, Barmer) with severity counts.

Linked PYQs · 1

Linked PYQs · 1

  • 2025RPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    What is the correct ascending order of the following group of districts of Rajasthan based on average rainfall in the southwest monsoon?