About Water Resources and Hydro Informatics 

Hydro Informatics (HI) is a branch of informatics that seeks to address the growing concerns about equitable and efficient water use. Hydro informatics focuses on using IT to address the increasing concerns about water use for many different purposes. Water flows and related processes have been numerically simulated since computing hydraulics emerged a few decades ago. This remains a core component of hydro informatics, which emphasises its social applications and advancement.

The field of hydro informatics has an interest in methodologies that originate from the artificial intelligence community and computational hydraulics, such as neural networks, and more recently, genetic programming. A computing-efficient emulator of a model based on a large set of observed data could be generated from these to perform data mining for knowledge discovery, or a computationally efficient model based on a physical model could be created.

What is Water Resources and Hydro Informatics? 

In hydro informatics, we recognise that water management problems and decision-making processes are inherently social. We strive to examine how technologies are introduced and incorporated into society. Because water management problems are most severe in majoritarian communities, while technology solutions are most readily obtained and developed by minoritarian organisations, these social processes urgently need examination.

In addition to hydraulics, hydrology, environmental engineering and many other disciplines, hydro informatics integrates these fields. The applicability of this principle can be seen in the whole water cycle, from the atmosphere to the ocean, and in artificial interventions of that cycle, such as urban drainage and water supply systems. From governance to policy to management to operations, it provides data and analysis to support decision making.

Career and Eligibility in Water Resources and Hydro Informatics 

As the importance of water resources engineering increases, the course is becoming more valuable, and graduates can find work in both the government and private sectors. 

The majority of water resources engineers work for the government. Their primary responsibility is to oversee effective management. The job also involves working on large engineering projects to construct canals, dams, reservoirs, etc.

An engineer that specialises in water engineering has responsibilities such as designing canals, dams, sewage pipelines, etc. Their commitment also includes preventing soil erosion and floods in their area. Engineers in water resources design hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems, navigation systems, and water supply systems. The GATE exam is required for admission into the water resources engineering course at all top institutes.

In the GATE test, there are 65 questions, and each one is worth 100 marks. The paper is three hours long. The questions are based on engineering mathematics, stream-specific subject and general aptitude. To be prepared for the test, students should remember the following tips.

Before beginning their preparation, students should familiarise themselves with the exam syllabus and pattern. Creating a study plan and starting your preparation early will help students achieve better grades. Students should find 1-2 reference books for each subject to practice questions and better understand the issue. Analyse your weak points in the syllabus by practising mock tests and solving previous year GATE question papers.