UPSC | Prelims GS | 2026

The Punjab Preservation of Sub-Soil Water Act, 2009, mentioned in the context of stubble burning, primarily sought to:

  1. Ban the cultivation of all water-intensive crops in Punjab
  2. Delay paddy sowing and transplantation until the monsoon period
  3. Mandate conversion of all crop residue into compressed biogas
  4. Replace minimum support price procurement with open-market auctions

Answer

Correct Answer

Delay paddy sowing and transplantation until the monsoon period

Explanation

The Act delayed paddy nursery sowing and transplantation so that cultivation would coincide more closely with monsoon rainfall and reduce groundwater extraction. It did not prohibit every water-intensive crop. Crop-residue conversion and procurement reform are separate policy issues. Therefore, option B identifies the Act’s principal mechanism.

Topics: agriculture and water, environment, groundwater conservation, punjab preservation of sub-soil water act