π Chapter 02 Β· Previous Year Questions
Drainage Systems of India β Previous Year Questions
10 actual questions from UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year papers on Indian drainage systems.
π‘ Tip: River questions are very frequent. Focus on tributaries, dams, and river disputes.
π 10 Previous Year Questions
With reference to Indian rivers, consider the following statements:
1. Narmada and Tapi flow westward and form estuaries.
2. Godavari is the longest peninsular river.
3. Brahmaputra is called Tsangpo in Arunachal Pradesh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. Narmada and Tapi flow westward and form estuaries.
2. Godavari is the longest peninsular river.
3. Brahmaputra is called Tsangpo in Arunachal Pradesh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1 only
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Answer: A) 1 and 2 onlyStatements 1 and 2 are correct. Narmada and Tapi flow westward and form estuaries. Godavari (1,465 km) is the longest peninsular river. Statement 3 is incorrect β Brahmaputra is called Tsangpo in Tibet (not Arunachal Pradesh). In Arunachal Pradesh, it is called Dihang or Siang.
The Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj is the confluence of which rivers?
A) Ganga, Yamuna, and Ghaghra
B) Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati (mythical/underground)
C) Ganga, Yamuna, and Son
D) Ganga, Yamuna, and Gomti
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Answer: B) Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati (mythical)The Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj (Allahabad) is the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical/underground Saraswati river. The Kumbh Mela is held here every 12 years (Maha Kumbh) and every 6 years (Ardh Kumbh). It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Hinduism.
The Nagarjuna Sagar dam is built on which river?
A) Godavari
B) Krishna
C) Cauvery
D) Tungabhadra
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Answer: B) KrishnaThe Nagarjuna Sagar dam is built on the Krishna river in Telangana/Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the largest masonry dams in the world. The Srisailam dam is also on the Krishna river. The Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir is one of the largest man-made lakes in India. The dam is named after the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna.
The Mettur dam is built on which river?
A) Krishna
B) Godavari
C) Cauvery
D) Palar
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Answer: C) CauveryThe Mettur dam (Stanley Reservoir) is built on the Cauvery river in Tamil Nadu. It was completed in 1934 and is one of the oldest and largest dams in India. The Cauvery river originates from Talakaveri in Karnataka and flows into the Bay of Bengal. The Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu is a long-standing issue.
The Sardar Sarovar dam is built on which river?
A) Tapi
B) Narmada
C) Mahi
D) Sabarmati
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Answer: B) NarmadaThe Sardar Sarovar dam is built on the Narmada river in Gujarat. It is one of the largest dams in India. The Narmada Bachao Andolan (led by Medha Patkar) opposed the dam due to displacement of tribal communities. The Narmada flows through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges and forms an estuary at the Arabian Sea.
The Sundarbans mangrove forest is located in the delta of which rivers?
A) Ganga and Mahanadi
B) Ganga and Brahmaputra
C) Brahmaputra and Barak
D) Ganga and Hooghly
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Answer: B) Ganga and BrahmaputraThe Sundarbans mangrove forest is located in the delta of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers, shared between India (West Bengal) and Bangladesh. It is the world’s largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger. The Sundarbans delta is the world’s largest delta.
Which of the following rivers originates from the Amarkantak plateau?
A) Tapi
B) Narmada
C) Mahanadi
D) Godavari
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Answer: B) NarmadaThe Narmada river originates from the Amarkantak plateau in Madhya Pradesh. Interestingly, the Son river (a tributary of Ganga) also originates from the same Amarkantak plateau but flows in the opposite direction (northeast). The Mahanadi originates from Raipur (Chhattisgarh). Godavari originates from Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra).
The Tungabhadra river is a tributary of which river?
A) Godavari
B) Krishna
C) Cauvery
D) Mahanadi
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Answer: B) KrishnaThe Tungabhadra is a major tributary of the Krishna river. It is formed by the confluence of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers in Karnataka. The Tungabhadra dam (Hampi dam) is built on this river. The Vijayanagara Empire’s capital Hampi is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river.
The Dihang gorge, considered the deepest gorge in the world, is formed by which river?
A) Ganga
B) Indus
C) Brahmaputra (Dihang)
D) Teesta
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Answer: C) Brahmaputra (Dihang)The Dihang gorge is formed by the Brahmaputra (called Dihang in Arunachal Pradesh) as it cuts through the Himalayas. It is considered the deepest gorge in the world (~5,500m deep). The river makes a sharp U-turn (hairpin bend) around the Namcha Barwa peak before entering India. This is an example of antecedent drainage.
The Marble Rocks (Bhedaghat) are located on which river?
A) Tapi
B) Narmada
C) Chambal
D) Betwa
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Answer: B) NarmadaThe Marble Rocks (Bhedaghat) are located on the Narmada river near Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. The river flows through a gorge of white marble rocks, creating a spectacular sight. The Dhuandhar waterfall is also located here. Bhedaghat is a popular tourist destination and has been proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.