With reference to India's monsoon patterns in 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) was in a positive phase during the 2026 monsoon season. 2. The 2026 monsoon rainfall was 759.4 mm, which represented 87% of the Long Period Average. 3. East and northeast India recorded 1,016.3 mm, its lowest seasonal rainfall since 1901. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2026 marks lowest monsoon in a decade as El Nino causes drought threshold deficit

GS1History · Society · Geography· Geophysical phenomena (earthquakes, cyclones, volcanoes)· Prelims· 2 October 2026

Climate variability and its impact on monsoon patterns: a key GS1 Geography and GS3 Agriculture topic.

Why in news

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that 2026 recorded the lowest monsoon rainfall in a decade due to a strengthening El Nino causing a deficit that crossed the all-India drought threshold.

Background

India received 759.4 mm of rainfall between June and September, which was 87% of the Long Period Average (LPA) of 868.6 mm. The rainfall deficit crossed the threshold used to define an all-India drought year.

Facts for Prelims

FactIndia's 2026 monsoon rainfall was 759.4 mm, representing 87% of the 868.6 mm LPA.
Fact2026 was the fourth-lowest monsoon year since 2001 and the 13th lowest since 1901.
S&TEl Nino is a climate pattern associated with warming in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
FactEast and northeast India recorded 1,016.3 mm, its lowest seasonal rainfall since 1901.
FactThe Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) remained neutral during the 2026 monsoon season.

Prelims practice question

With reference to India's monsoon patterns in 2026, consider the following statements:

The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) was in a positive phase during the 2026 monsoon season.
The 2026 monsoon rainfall was 759.4 mm, which represented 87% of the Long Period Average.
East and northeast India recorded 1,016.3 mm, its lowest seasonal rainfall since 1901.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)3 only
(b)1 and 2 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)2 and 3 only

Show answer

Answer: (d) 2 and 3 only — Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect: The IOD remained neutral during the 2026 monsoon season.

For Mains

Q. Analyze the impact of El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole on India's monsoon patterns and its implications for national food security.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

Climatic variability: Correlation between Pacific equatorial warming and erratic monsoon distribution across Indian sub-regions
Agricultural vulnerability: Impact of drought-threshold deficits on rain-fed cropping systems in the south peninsula and northeast

Keywords: El Nino · Indian Ocean Dipole · Monsoon variability · Drought threshold · LPA · Meteorological subdivisions

Read the full news →Source: NDTV ↗Also: GS3 · Climate change & international agreements

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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.