Drainage System

11. Which one of the following is not a desert river?

Which one of the following is not a desert river?

Barak
Rupen
Banas
Machchhu
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UPSC CAPF – 2021
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Barak River is not a desert river.
Desert rivers are typically associated with arid or semi-arid regions, often characterized by ephemeral flow or inland drainage. The Barak River flows through the humid regions of Northeast India and Bangladesh.
The Barak River is a significant river flowing through parts of Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Bangladesh. It forms part of the Surma-Meghna River system, which is a major river system in Bangladesh. This region is known for its high rainfall and humid climate, making the Barak River system completely different from rivers found in desert or semi-arid environments. The Rupen, Banas, and Machchhu rivers flow through or originate in the drier or semi-arid regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat, often terminating in inland drainage systems like the Rann of Kutch, which are characteristic of arid environments.

12. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List-I (Tributary) List-II (River)
A. Sutlej 1. Yamuna
B. Kosi 2. Brahmaputra
C. Teesta 3. Ganga
D. Chambal 4. Indus
A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
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UPSC CAPF – 2021
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The correct match is A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1.
Understanding the major river systems of India and their key tributaries is essential for geography.
A. Sutlej is a major tributary of the Indus River. It originates in Tibet and flows through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab before entering Pakistan and joining the Chenab, which ultimately joins the Indus River. (A-4)
B. Kosi River originates in Nepal and joins the Ganga River in Bihar. It is known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” due to frequent floods. (B-3)
C. Teesta River flows through Sikkim and West Bengal in India and then through Bangladesh before joining the Brahmaputra River. (C-2)
D. Chambal River originates in Madhya Pradesh and flows through Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh before joining the Yamuna River, which is a major tributary of the Ganga River. (D-1)
Matching the lists gives: A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1. This corresponds to Option C.

13. Consider the following statements : 1. River Kaveri has well develop

Consider the following statements :

  • 1. River Kaveri has well developed valley
  • 2. Valley of River Alakananda is still growing
  • 3. River Krishna is largest east flowing peninsular river

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only
1 and 2
2 and 3
2 only
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UPSC CAPF – 2020
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The correct answer is (D) 2 only.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Peninsular rivers generally flow over ancient, stable plateau surfaces. Rivers like the Kaveri have relatively mature, shallow valleys because the region has been tectonically stable for a long time, and the rivers have been flowing for millions of years, reaching a relatively graded profile. Well-developed, deep valleys are more characteristic of youthful rivers flowing through uplifted or geologically active areas.
Statement 2 is correct: The Alakananda is a Himalayan river. Himalayan rivers are much younger and flow through geologically active and uplifted mountainous terrain. They are actively eroding and downcutting, leading to the formation of deep, steep-sided valleys (like gorges and canyons) that are still in a phase of active growth and deepening.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The River Krishna is a large east-flowing peninsular river, but it is not the largest. The River Godavari is considered the largest peninsular river, followed by the Krishna.
The Godavari is often referred to as the ‘Dakshin Ganga’ due to its size and significance, being the largest river of peninsular India. The Alakananda is one of the two headstreams of the holy river Ganga; its youthful characteristics are typical of rivers originating from the relatively young and rising Himalayan mountains. Peninsular rivers like Kaveri, Krishna, and Godavari have more subdued relief and older, flatter drainage basins compared to the Himalayan rivers.

14. In India, Indus Dolphin, one of the world’s rarest mammals, is mainly

In India, Indus Dolphin, one of the world’s rarest mammals, is mainly found in which one of the following rivers?

Ganga
Cauvery
Brahmaputra
Beas
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UPSC CAPF – 2018
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The Indus Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor) is a subspecies of the South Asian river dolphin. While the main population resides in the Indus River system in Pakistan, a small, isolated population is found in the Beas River in Punjab, India. The Beas is a tributary of the Indus River.
The question specifically asks about the *Indus Dolphin* in India. The Beas River is the only river listed that is part of the Indus River system in India and is home to a population of this specific dolphin subspecies.
The Ganga River is home to the Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica), which is a different subspecies of the South Asian river dolphin. The Cauvery and Brahmaputra rivers have different aquatic ecosystems and are not known habitats for the Indus Dolphin. Conservation efforts are underway to protect the critically endangered Indus Dolphin population in the Beas River.

15. Which one of the following major river basins of India is the shortest

Which one of the following major river basins of India is the shortest in length and smallest in terms of catchment area?

Cauvery
Mahi
Penner
Sabarmati
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UPSC CAPF – 2018
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The correct answer is D) Sabarmati.
Comparing the approximate lengths and catchment areas of the given major river basins:
– Cauvery: Length ~800 km, Catchment Area ~81,155 sq km
– Mahi: Length ~583 km, Catchment Area ~34,842 sq km
– Penner: Length ~597 km, Catchment Area ~55,213 sq km
– Sabarmati: Length ~371 km, Catchment Area ~21,674 sq km
Sabarmati is the shortest in length and has the smallest catchment area among these four rivers.
The Sabarmati is one of the major west-flowing rivers of India. It originates in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan and flows through Rajasthan and Gujarat into the Arabian Sea.

16. Which one of the following is NOT a river covered under the Indus Wate

Which one of the following is NOT a river covered under the Indus Water Treaty 1960 ?

Ravi
Chenab
Teesta
Beas
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UPSC CAPF – 2017
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Teesta is NOT a river covered under the Indus Water Treaty 1960.
The Indus Water Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, pertains to the distribution of water from the Indus River system, which includes the Indus and its tributaries. The treaty divides the rivers into two groups: the ‘Eastern Rivers’ (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) allocated for India’s unrestricted use, and the ‘Western Rivers’ (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) primarily allocated for Pakistan’s use, with limited rights for India.
The Teesta River is a major river in the Eastern Himalayas, flowing through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal and then through Bangladesh before joining the Brahmaputra River. It is part of the Brahmaputra river system, not the Indus river system, and therefore is not covered by the Indus Water Treaty. Water sharing of the Teesta is a subject of discussion and negotiation between India and Bangladesh.

17. Which one among the following is the correct order of west flowing riv

Which one among the following is the correct order of west flowing rivers in terms of decreasing size of their river basins ?

Narmada — Tapi — Sabarmati — Mahi
Tapi — Narmada — Mahi — Sabarmati
Sabarmati — Narmada — Tapi — Mahi
Narmada — Tapi — Mahi — Sabarmati
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UPSC CAPF – 2015
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The major west-flowing rivers in peninsular India are the Narmada and Tapi, which flow into the Arabian Sea. Other significant west-flowing rivers include the Mahi, Sabarmati, Luni (inland drainage), Periyar, Bharatpuzha, etc. Comparing the basin sizes of the rivers listed in the options:
– Narmada River Basin: Approximately 98,796 sq km. It is the largest west-flowing river basin in Peninsular India.
– Tapi River Basin: Approximately 65,145 sq km.
– Mahi River Basin: Approximately 34,842 sq km.
– Sabarmati River Basin: Approximately 21,674 sq km.
Arranging these in decreasing order of basin size: Narmada (98,796) > Tapi (65,145) > Mahi (34,842) > Sabarmati (21,674).
The correct order is Narmada — Tapi — Mahi — Sabarmati.
Narmada and Tapi are the largest west-flowing rivers of Peninsular India, flowing through rift valleys. Basin size refers to the total area drained by a river and its tributaries.
Most major peninsular rivers in India flow eastwards into the Bay of Bengal, forming large deltas (e.g., Ganga-Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery). The west-flowing rivers, particularly Narmada and Tapi, flow through rift valleys and form estuaries instead of deltas.

18. Three important rivers of the Indian subcontinent have their source ne

Three important rivers of the Indian subcontinent have their source near the Manasarovar Lake in the Great Himalayas. Which among the following are the rivers ?

Indus, Jhelum and Sutlej
Sutlej, Yamuna and Brahmaputra
Brahmaputra, Indus and Sutlej
Sutlej, Jhelum and Yamuna
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UPSC CAPF – 2014
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The Manasarovar Lake and the nearby Kailash range in Tibet are the source regions for several major rivers of the Indian subcontinent.
– The Indus River originates near Bokhar Chu Glacier, north of the Kailash Range and relatively close to Lake Manasarovar. It flows west and then south into Pakistan.
– The Sutlej River originates from Rakas Lake (or Rakshastal), which is connected to Lake Manasarovar by a channel. It flows west and southwest into India and Pakistan.
– The Brahmaputra River, known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, originates from the Chemayungdung Glacier, south-east of Lake Manasarovar. It flows east through Tibet before turning south into Arunachal Pradesh, India.
– The Yamuna River originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand, India, far to the west of Manasarovar.
– The Jhelum River originates from a spring at Verinag in the Kashmir Valley, India, also far to the west of Manasarovar.
The three important rivers sourcing near Manasarovar Lake are Brahmaputra, Indus, and Sutlej.
Identify the major rivers originating from the Trans-Himalayan region, particularly near the Manasarovar Lake and Kailash Range.
Manasarovar Lake is a highly revered site in Hinduism and Buddhism. The region is a hydrological knot giving rise to some of Asia’s longest rivers. Other rivers like the Karnali (a tributary of the Ghaghara, which joins the Ganga) also originate in the vicinity.

19. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists :

List I
(River)		 List II
(Tributary)
A. Godavari 1. Son
B. Krishna 2. Chambal
C. Yamuna 3. Bhima
D. Ganga 4. Manjira

Code :

A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2011
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The correct matches are:
A. Godavari – 4. Manjira (Manjira is a major tributary of the Godavari)
B. Krishna – 3. Bhima (Bhima is a major tributary of the Krishna)
C. Yamuna – 2. Chambal (Chambal is a major tributary of the Yamuna)
D. Ganga – 1. Son (Son is a major southern tributary of the Ganga)
Therefore, the correct code is A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1.
Identifying major tributaries of India’s principal rivers is crucial for understanding the country’s drainage system and geography.
Other important tributaries: Godavari: Pravara, Purna, Pranhita (Penganga, Wardha, Wainganga), Indravati, Sabari. Krishna: Tungabhadra, Koyna, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Musi. Yamuna: Sindh, Betwa, Ken. Ganga: Yamuna, Ghagra, Gandak, Kosi, Ramganga, Gomti, Damodar.

20. Consider the following facts of the rivers of the Indus system : 1.

Consider the following facts of the rivers of the Indus system :

  • 1. The Satluj originates in Tibet where it is known as Langchen Khambab
  • 2. The Satluj is a classic example of an antecedent river
  • 3. The Jhelum is the largest tributary of the Indus System

Select the answer using the code below :

2 only
3 only
1 and 2
2 and 3
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UPSC NDA-2 – 2024
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Statements 1 and 2 are correct regarding the Satluj river, while statement 3 is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is 1 and 2 only.
– Statement 1 is correct: The Satluj (Sutlej) river originates near Rakas Lake in Tibet, close to Mansarovar Lake, where it is known as Langchen Khambab (meaning “Elephant’s Mouth”).
– Statement 2 is correct: The Satluj river is a classic example of an antecedent river because it maintained its course and cut deep gorges through the Himalayas as they were uplifting.
– Statement 3 is incorrect: The Jhelum is an important tributary of the Indus, but it is not considered the largest. The largest tributary in terms of discharge is often considered the Chenab, while the Satluj is the longest tributary.
The Indus river system comprises the main Indus river and its major tributaries: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj. These rivers originate in the Himalayas and flow through India and Pakistan before joining the Arabian Sea. Antecedent rivers are older than the landform they cut through.
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