PYQP – India: Physical – Indian Drainage System

UPSC – CSE Prelims 2024

EASY

GEOGRAPHY – INDIAN RIVERS

1. With reference to the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, which one of the following sequences is correct ?

(a) Ghaghara – Gomati-Gandak –Kosi

(b) Gomati- Ghaghara -Gandak –Kosi

(c) Ghaghara -Gomati Kosi -Gandak

(d) Gomati -Ghaghara – Kosi-Gandak

Ans. (b)

UPSC – CSE Prelims 2023

GEOGRAPHY – INDIAN RIVERS

1. Consider the following statements:

1. Jhelum River passes through Wular Lake.
2. Krishna River directly feeds Kolleru Lake.
3. Meandering of the Gandak River formed Kanwar Lake.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: C

Statement 1 is Correct: The main source of water for Wular Lake is River Jhelum. This lake also has a small island in its centre called the ‘Zaina Lank’.     

Statement 2 is Correct: The Kolleru lake is a natural eutrophic lake, situated between the two major river basins of the Godavari and the Krishna, fed by two seasonal rivers and a number of drains and channels

Statement 3 is Correct: The Kanwar lake draws water from the confluence of the Gandak, the Bia and the Kareh river, is situated near Manjhaul, 22 km northwest of Begusarai, Bihar.

UPSC – CSE Prelims 2021

GEOGRAPHY – INDIAN RIVERS

1. Consider the following rivers: 

1. Brahman 
2. Nagavati 
3. Subarnarekha 
4. Vamsadhara 

Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats? (UPSC CSE 2021)

(A)   1 and 2

(B)   2 and 4

(C)   3 and 4

(D)   1 and 3

Answer: B

Brahmani:

• The Brahmani is a major seasonal river in the Odisha state of eastern India. 
• The Brahmani is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers near Rourkela. Hence, 1 is not correct.
• Together with the river Baitarani, it forms a large delta before emptying into the Bay of Bengal at Dhamra.

Nagavali:

• The River Nagavali is also known as Langulya is one of the main rivers of Southern Odisha and Northern Andhra Pradesh States in India, between Rushikulya and Godavari basins.
• Nagavali River originates in Kalahandi District, in eastern Ghats. Hence, 2 is correct.

Subarnarekha:

• ​The Subarnarekha originates from the Ranchi Plateau in Jharkhand forming the boundary between West Bengal and Odisha in its lower course. Hence, 3 is not correct.
• It joins the Bay of Bengal forming an estuary between the Ganga and Mahanadi deltas. Its total length is 395 km.

Vamsadhara:

• ​It is an east-flowing river that originates in the Kalahandi district of Odisha, Eastern Ghat, flows in Odisha, along its boundary with Andhra Pradesh and finally joins the Bay of Bengal at Kalingapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Hence, 4 is correct.
• It is the main river of the north-eastern Andhra region and the Boddepalli Rajagopala Rao Project was constructed on it to meet the irrigation needs of the region.

GEOGRAPHY – INDIAN RIVERS

2. With reference to the Indus river system. of the following four dyers. three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following. which one is such river that joins the Indus direct? (UPSC CSE 2021)

(A)   Chenab

(B)   Jhelum

(C)   Ravi

(D)   Sutlej

Answer: D

Indus river system:

• ​The Indus system comprises the main Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. The basin is mainly shared by India and Pakistan with a small share for China and Afghanistan.
• Jhelum and Ravi join Chenab, Beas joins Sutlej, and then Sutlej and Chenab join to form Panjnad, 10 miles north of Uch Sharif in Muzaffar Garh district.
• The combined stream runs southwest for approximately 44 miles and joins the Indus River at Mithankot.

UPSC – CSE Prelims 2019

GEOGRAPHY – INDIAN RIVERS

1. Consider the following pairs:

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

   (a) 1, 2 and 4               (b) 1, 3 and 4

   (c) 2 and 5                   (d) 3 and 5

Ans: (a)