Consider the following statements :Statement-I :According to the United Nation's 'World Water Development Report, 2022', India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year.Statement-II :India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world's population living in its territory.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. A

   Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

   Both correct and II explains I. Most Indian groundwater is for irrigation, not drinking and sanitation for 18% of the world.

2. B

   Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

   Both correct but II does not explain I. II is false.

3. C

   Statement-I is correct but Statement- II is incorrect

   I correct, II incorrect. India withdraws about a quarter of global groundwater; the reason is irrigation, not domestic use of 18% of humanity.

4. D

   Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

   I incorrect, II correct. UN WWDR 2022-type figures support the withdrawal share.

Summary. Official key is (c). India is the world’s largest groundwater user — on the order of a quarter of global withdrawal. That water is mostly for irrigation, not because drinking and sanitation for ~18% of the world’s people require that share.