Q. Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986? (UPSC Prelims 2022)
Answer: Central Ground Water Authority
Notes: The correct answer is [C] Central Ground Water Authority.The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was constituted under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, following an order by the Supreme Court of India in the case of M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India.

• Central Ground Water Authority (Correct): Its primary mandate is to regulate and control ground water development and management in the country. It has the power to issue directives, notify areas for registration of ground water abstraction structures, and penalize violations under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act.
• Central Water Commission (Incorrect): This is a premier technical organization in the field of water resources. it functions as an attached office of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and is responsible for initiating and coordinating schemes for control, conservation, and utilization of water resources for flood control, irrigation, and navigation.
• Central Ground Water Board (Incorrect): While the CGWA and CGWB are closely linked, the CGWB is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Jal Shakti established in 1970. It is a scientific organization responsible for the assessment and monitoring of ground water resources, whereas the CGWA is the specific regulatory body constituted under the 1986 Act.
• National Water Development Agency (Incorrect): Established in 1982 as an autonomous society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, it primarily carries out studies for the Inter-linking of Rivers (ILR) and prepares feasibility reports for water transfer links.

The distinction between the Board (CGWB) and the Authority (CGWA) is a common point of confusion in the UPSC Prelims: the Board is the technical/scientific arm, while the Authority is the legal/regulatory arm empowered by the Environment (Protection) Act.