Rivers in India is important part of Indian Geography and its syllabus. Previous Year Question (PYQ) papers are invaluable resources for aspirants preparing for competitive exams like the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations. In this article we present important PYQ on Rivers of India.
Q- With reference to the Indus River system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of the which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus direct? (2021)
(a) Chenab
(b) Jhelum
(c) Ravi
(d) Sutlej
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
Option a is incorrect as the Chenab River converges with the Satluj River in Pakistan.
Option b is also incorrect since the Jhelum River merges with the Chenab near Jhang in Pakistan.
Option c is incorrect as well because the Ravi River joins the Chenab near Sarai Sidhu.
Option d is correct. The Satluj River indeed receives the combined drainage of the Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers before joining the Indus River a short distance upstream from Mithankot in Pakistan.
Q- Consider the following Rivers: (2021)
1. Brahmani
2. Nagavali
3. Subarnarekha
4. Vamsadhara
Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 3
Answer- Option B
EXPLANATION
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Brahmani River, also known as the South Koel in its upper stretches, originates near Nagri village in Ranchi district, Jharkhand, at an altitude of around 600 meters.
Statement 2 is correct. The Nagavali River starts in the Eastern Ghats near Lakhbahal, situated at an elevation of 1,300 meters in Kalahandi district, Odisha. It is also referred to as Langulya.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Subernarekha River begins in the Chhotnagpur Plateau near Nagri village in Ranchi District, Jharkhand, at an elevation of 600 meters.
Statement 4 is correct. The Vamsadhara River originates in the Eastern Ghats of Orissa State and enters Srikakulam District in Bhamini Mandal before ultimately flowing into the Bay of Bengal near Kalingapatnam.
Q- Consider the following pairs: (2019)
| Wildlife | Naturally found in |
| Blue-finned Mahseer | Cauvery River |
| Irrawaddy Dolphin | Chambal River |
| Rusty-spotted Cat | Eastern Ghats |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer- Option C
EXPLANATION
Statement 1 is correct as it discusses the Mahseer community in the Cauvery River, comprising both a “blue-finned” and an “orange-finned, hump-backed” fish. While it’s uncertain if these are distinct species or different phenotypes, evidence indicates that the hump-backed variety is native to the river, while the blue-finned type was introduced in the 1980s.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Irrawaddy Dolphin is indeed an endangered species found in coastal areas of South and Southeast Asia, as well as in specific rivers like the Ayeyarwady in Myanmar, the Mahakam in Indonesian Borneo, and the Mekong. However, it is not present in the Chambal River in India; rather, it is found in Lake Chilika.
Statement 3 is correct. The Rusty Spotted Cat is indeed one of the smallest felines globally. While previously thought to be limited to southern India, recent records indicate its presence in various parts of the country, including eastern Gujarat’s Gir National Park, Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, and along the Eastern Ghats.
Q- With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements: (2017)
- The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim.
- River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and is a tributary of river Teesta.
- River Teesta flows into the Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer- Option B
EXPLANATION
Statement 1 is incorrect because the Teesta River does not originate from the same source as the Brahmaputra; it begins at the Pahunri glacier.
Statement 2 is correct. The River Rangeet, the largest river in Sikkim, originates in Sikkim and is also a tributary of the Teesta River.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Although the Teesta River does eventually flow through West Bengal and Sikkim before reaching the Bay of Bengal via Bangladesh, it is not a right tributary of the Brahmaputra; instead, it is one of its left tributaries.
Q- Consider the following rivers : (2015)
- Vamsadhara
- Indravati
- Pranahita
- Pennar
Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari ?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
The Godavari River, also known as Dakshin Ganga, is the largest river in Peninsular India, covering the states of Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and parts of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and the Union Territory of Puducherry (Yanam), with a total area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers. Originating from Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, it has left bank tributaries including Dharna, Penganga, Wainganga, Wardha, Pranahita, Pench, Kanhan, Sabari, Indravati, and others, as well as right bank tributaries such as Pravara, Mula, Manjra, Peddavagu, Maner, among others.
Q- Consider the following rivers: (2014)
- Barak
- Lohit
- Subansiri
Which of the above flows / flow through Arunachal Pradesh?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer- Option B
EXPLANATION
The Barak River holds significance in the states of Manipur and Mizoram.The Tsangpo River originates from the foothills of the Central Himalayas near Namcha Barwa, initially known as Siang or Dihang. Upon entering India and flowing southwest, it receives major left bank tributaries like Dibang or Sikang and Lohit, after which it assumes the name Brahmaputra.The Subansiri River courses through Arunachal Pradesh and serves as a right-bank tributary to the Brahmaputra River.
Q- Consider the following pairs- (2013)
| National Parks | River Flowing Through Parks |
| 1. Corbett National park | Ganga |
| 2. Kaziranga National Park | Manas |
| 3. Silent Valley National Park | Kaveri |
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2
(b)3 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
Corbett National Park- Ramganga
Kaziranga National Park- Brahmaputra, Diphlu, Mora Diphlu and Mora Dhansiri
Silent Valley National Park- Kunthipuza