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Rivers, Lakes & Drainage — UPSC Prelims Geography previous year questions
20 free solved previous year questions on Rivers, Lakes & Drainage, papers from 2002 to 2026, drawn from UPSC CSE Prelims, State PCS, covering statement-based, direct, match and assertion questions. Every answer key has been checked again against published sources and solved independently, and each explanation is written fresh.
Read all 20 questions with answers
- #1UPSC CSE 2026Consider the following assertion :In the Pleistocene period either the Yamuna once flowed into the Indus, or the Sutlej flowed into the Yamuna and one major tributary of either had shifted from the Ganga to the Indus or vice versa.Which of the following is/are the basis of the above assertion ?1. The Nadi-Sukta of the Rigveda2. The explorations of the Sutlej and the Yamuna by Robert Bruce Foote3. The presence of the same species of dolphins in both the Indus and the Ganga river systemsSelect the answer using the code given below :
- A1 only
- B2 only
- C1 and 2
- D3
Answer: (D) 3Explanation
The assertion is about river shifts. It says the Yamuna or the Sutlej changed course, and a tributary moved between the Ganga and Indus systems.
Information 3 is the basis. The same kind of river dolphin lives in both the Indus and the Ganga. This suggests the two systems were once linked, so animals could cross.
Information 1 is not a basis. The Nadi-Sukta only lists rivers; it does not date any river shift to the Pleistocene.
Information 2 is not a basis. Robert Bruce Foote studied Indian prehistory and geology, and is not the source of this drainage argument.
So only 3.
Remember: the Pleistocene is the ice-age epoch, about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago.Source: NCERT Class XI India: Physical Environment (Drainage); biogeography of South Asian river dolphins
- #2UPSC CSE 2026Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information :1. It has an antecedent drainage system.2. It flows through three countries.3. It originates in the Tibetan Plateau and is an important river for irrigation.4. It does not form distributaries.Select the answer from the following :
- ABrahmaputra
- BIndus
- CSutlej
- DTeesta
Answer: (C) SutlejExplanation
An antecedent river keeps its old course even when land rises across its path. The Sutlej fits all four clues.
It is antecedent because it cut a gorge through the rising Himalaya.
It flows through China (Tibet), India and Pakistan.
It rises near Rakshastal in the Tibetan Plateau and irrigates Punjab through the Bhakra and other canals.
It joins the Chenab and makes no distributaries.
The Brahmaputra and Indus are antecedent too, but they split into distributaries. The Teesta does not rise in Tibet.
Remember: the Sutlej is the longest of the five rivers of Punjab.Source: NCERT Class XI India: Physical Environment (Ch. 3 Drainage System)
- #3UPSC CSE 2024With reference to the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, which one of the following sequences is correct?
- AGhaghara – Gomati – Gandak – Kosi
- BGomati – Ghaghara – Gandak – Kosi
- CGhaghara – Gomati – Kosi – Gandak
- DGomati – Ghaghara – Kosi – Gandak
Answer: (B) Gomati – Ghaghara – Gandak – KosiExplanation
The Himalayan tributaries meet the Ganga from west to east in this order: Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi.
The Gomati joins near Varanasi. The Ghaghara joins near Chhapra in Bihar. The Gandak joins opposite Patna, near Hajipur. The Kosi joins near Katihar.
The other options swap two rivers. Gandak is west of Kosi, and Gomati is west of Ghaghara.
Remember: the Kosi is the easternmost of these and is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar'.Source: NCERT Class XI India: Physical Environment, Drainage System
- #4UPSC CSE 2024Consider the following information:Waterfall – Region – River1. Dhuandhar – Malwa – Narmada2. Hundru – Chota Nagpur – Subarnarekha3. Gersoppa – Western Ghats – NetravatiIn how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
- AOnly one
- BOnly two
- CAll three
- DNone
Answer: (A) Only oneExplanation
Row 1 is wrong. Dhuandhar falls are on the Narmada near Jabalpur, which is in the Mahakoshal region, not Malwa.
Row 2 is correct. Hundru falls are on the Subarnarekha in the Chota Nagpur plateau.
Row 3 is wrong. Gersoppa (Jog) falls are on the Sharavati river, not the Netravati.
So only one row is correct.
Remember: Jog Falls on the Sharavati is among the highest plunge falls in India.Source: NCERT Class XI India: Physical Environment, Drainage System; standard atlas
- #5UPSC CSE 2022 · key correctedGandikota canyon of South India was created by which one of the following rivers?
- ACauvery
- BManjira
- CPennar
- DTungabhadra
Answer: (C) PennarExplanation
Gandikota is in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. The Pennar river has cut a deep gorge through the Erramala hills there.
This gorge is called the Grand Canyon of India.
Manjira is a Godavari tributary in Telangana and Maharashtra. The Cauvery and the Tungabhadra do not flow through Gandikota.
Remember: Gandikota is on the Pennar; it is the Grand Canyon of India.Source: UPSC CSE Prelims 2022(real option order Cauvery, Manjira, Pennar, Tungabhadra; key: Pennar)
- #6UPSC CSE 2021With reference to the Indus River system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus directly. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus directly?
- AChenab
- BJhelum
- CRavi
- DSutlej
Answer: (D) SutlejExplanation
The Jhelum joins the Chenab. The Ravi also joins the Chenab. The Chenab then joins the Sutlej in Pakistan, forming the Panjnad.
The Sutlej carries these waters and joins the Indus directly at Mithankot.
So the river that receives the other three and meets the Indus is the Sutlej.
Remember: The five rivers of Punjab form the Panjnad before meeting the Indus.Source: NCERT Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Ch. 3 (Drainage System)
- #7UPSC CSE 2021With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of
- Aglaciers
- Bmangrove areas
- CRamsar sites
- Dsaline lakes
Answer: (D) saline lakesExplanation
Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are saline lakes in Rajasthan. They lie in the arid Thar region.
They are inland drainage lakes. Salt is extracted from some of them.
They are not glaciers or mangroves, because Rajasthan is dry and landlocked.
Remember: Sambhar is the largest saline lake in India.Source: NCERT Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Ch. 3 / Standard Geography reference
- #8UPSC CSE 2021Consider the following rivers:1. Brahmani2. Nagavali3. Subarnarekha4. VamsadharaWhich of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?
- A1 and 2
- B2 and 4
- C3 and 4
- D1 and 3
Answer: (B) 2 and 4Explanation
The Nagavali and Vamsadhara rise in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha and flow into the Bay of Bengal.
The Brahmani is formed by the Sankh and South Koel rivers on the Chota Nagpur plateau.
The Subarnarekha rises near Ranchi on the Chota Nagpur plateau.
So only 2 and 4 rise from the Eastern Ghats.
Remember: Nagavali is also called Langulya.Source: Standard Geography reference on Indian rivers
- #9UPSC CSE 2020Consider the following pairs:River | Flows into1. Mekong | Andaman Sea2. Thames | Irish Sea3. Volga | Caspian Sea4. Zambezi | Indian OceanWhich of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- A1 and 2 only
- B3 only
- C3 and 4 only
- D1, 2 and 4 only
Answer: (C) 3 and 4 onlyExplanation
Pair 1 is incorrect. The Mekong flows into the South China Sea.
Pair 2 is incorrect. The Thames flows into the North Sea.
Pair 3 is correct. The Volga ends in the Caspian Sea.
Pair 4 is correct. The Zambezi enters the Indian Ocean through Mozambique.
Remember: The Volga is Europe's longest river.Source: Standard world geography atlas
- #10UPSC CSE 2019Consider the following pairs:Famous Place : River1. Pandharpur : Chandrabhaga2. Tiruchirappalli : Cauvery3. Hampi : MalaprabhaWhich of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 onlyExplanation
Pair 1 is correct. Pandharpur lies on the Bhima, which is locally called the Chandrabhaga.
Pair 2 is correct. Tiruchirappalli (Srirangam) lies on the Cauvery.
Pair 3 is incorrect. Hampi lies on the Tungabhadra, not the Malaprabha.
So only 1 and 2 are correct.
Remember: Hampi is on the Tungabhadra.Source: Standard Geography reference on Indian rivers and places
- #11UPSC CSE 2019Consider the following pairs:Glacier : River1. Bandarpunch : Yamuna2. Bara Shigri : Chenab3. Milam : Mandakini4. Siachen : Nubra5. Zemu : ManasWhich of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- A1, 2 and 4 only
- B1, 3 and 4 only
- C2 and 5 only
- D3 and 5 only
Answer: (A) 1, 2 and 4 onlyExplanation
Pair 1 is correct. The Bandarpunch glacier feeds the Yamuna.
Pair 2 is correct. The Bara Shigri glacier in Himachal feeds the Chandra, a Chenab headstream.
Pair 3 is incorrect. The Milam glacier feeds the Gori Ganga, not the Mandakini.
Pair 4 is correct. Siachen feeds the Nubra.
Pair 5 is incorrect. The Zemu glacier in Sikkim feeds the Teesta, not the Manas.
Remember: Milam is in Kumaon.Source: Standard Geography reference on Himalayan glaciers
- #12UPSC CSE 2017With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements:1. The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim.2. River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta.3. River Teesta flows into Bay of Bengal on the border of India and Bangladesh.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 and 3 only
- B2 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 2 onlyExplanation
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Teesta rises from the Pahunri (Teesta Kangse) glacier near Cho Lhamo lake in Sikkim. The Brahmaputra has a different source.
Statement 2 is correct. The Rangeet rises in Sikkim and joins the Teesta.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Teesta joins the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) in Bangladesh. It does not flow directly into the Bay of Bengal.
Remember: Teesta is a tributary of the Brahmaputra.Source: Standard Geography reference on Indian rivers
- #13UPSC CSE 2009Consider the following statements:1. There are no east flowing rivers in Kerala.2. There is no west flowing river in Madhya Pradesh.Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect. Kerala has three east-flowing rivers: the Kabini, Bhavani and Pambar. They flow into Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and join the Kaveri system.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Narmada and Tapi flow west into the Arabian Sea. Both pass through Madhya Pradesh.
Remember: Kerala's rivers are mostly west-flowing, but these three are the exceptions.Source: NCERT Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Ch. 3
- #14UPSC CSE 2008Consider the following pairs:Tributary River : Main River1. Chambal : Narmada2. Son : Yamuna3. Manas : BrahmaputraWhich of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- A1, 2 and 3
- B1 and 2 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D3 only
Answer: (D) 3 onlyExplanation
Pair 1 is incorrect. The Chambal is a tributary of the Yamuna, not the Narmada.
Pair 2 is incorrect. The Son is a right-bank tributary of the Ganga, not the Yamuna.
Pair 3 is correct. The Manas rises in Bhutan and joins the Brahmaputra in Assam.
Remember: Chambal, Betwa and Ken are right-bank tributaries of the Yamuna.Source: NCERT Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Ch. 3
- #15UPSC CSE 2007Consider the following statements:Assertion (A): River Kalinadi is an east flowing river in the southern part of India.Reason (R): The Deccan Plateau is higher along its western edge and gently slopes towards the Bay of Bengal in the east.Code:
- ABoth (A) and (R) are individually true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are individually true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is true, but (R) is false
- D(A) is false, but (R) is true
Answer: (D) (A) is false, but (R) is trueExplanation
Assertion (A) is false. The Kali (Kalinadi) rises in the Western Ghats in Karnataka. It flows west into the Arabian Sea near Karwar. It is not an east-flowing river.
Reason (R) is true. The Deccan Plateau is highest along the Western Ghats and slopes gently to the east. Most large peninsular rivers therefore flow east.
Remember: the Sharavati, with the Jog Falls, is another west-flowing river of Karnataka.Source: NCERT Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Ch. 3
- #16UPSC CSE 2007Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:List-I (Town)A. BetulB. JagdalpurC. JabalpurD. UjjainList-II (River nearby)1. Indravati2. Narmada3. Kshipra4. TaptiCode:A B C D
- A1 4 2 3
- B4 1 2 3
- C4 1 3 2
- D1 4 3 2
Answer: (B) 4 1 2 3Explanation
Betul is near the source of the Tapti at Multai.
Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh lies on the Indravati.
Jabalpur lies on the Narmada, near the Marble Rocks and Dhuandhar falls.
Ujjain lies on the Kshipra, and the Simhastha fair is held there.
So the correct order is A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3.
Remember: the Tapti rises at Multai in Betul district.Source: NCERT Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Ch. 3
- #17UPSC CSE 2005Consider the following statements:1. Silent Valley National Park is in the Nallamalla range.2. Pathrakkadavu Hydroelectric project is proposed to be built near the Silent Valley National Park.3. The Kunthi river originates in Silent Valley's rainforests.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 and 3 only
- B2 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Answer: (C) 2 and 3 onlyExplanation
Statement 1 is incorrect. Silent Valley is in the Nilgiri hills of Kerala, part of the Western Ghats. The Nallamalla range is in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Statement 2 is correct. The Pathrakkadavu hydroelectric project was proposed near the park, in Palakkad district.
Statement 3 is correct. The Kunthipuzha (Kunthi) river rises in the Silent Valley rainforest.
Remember: the 1980s protest against the Silent Valley project is a famous environment movement.Source: Kerala Forest Department; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- #18CAPF 2020Consider 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?
- AOnly 1
- B1 and2
- C2 and 3
- DOnly 2
Answer: (B) 1 and2Explanation
Statement 1 is correct. The Kaveri is an old peninsular river and has a mature, well-developed valley.
Statement 2 is correct. The Alaknanda is a young Himalayan river and is still deepening its valley.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Godavari, not the Krishna, is the largest east-flowing peninsular river.
Remember: Godavari is called the Dakshin Ganga.Source: NCERT Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Ch. 3 (Drainage)
- #19UPPCS 2011 (Mains) · key correctedConsider the following statements and select the correct answer from the code given below:Assertion (A): All rivers originating from the Himalayas are perennial.Reason (R): Himalayas receive much of their precipitation from South-Western monsoon.
- ABoth (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is true, but (R) is false
- D(A) is false, but (R) is true
Answer: (D) (A) is false, but (R) is trueExplanation
Assertion (A) is false. Not all Himalayan rivers are perennial. Small streams of the outer ranges and some seasonal rivers dry up in summer.
Reason (R) is true. The Himalayas get heavy rain from the south-west monsoon.
Option 1 and 2 wrongly treat (A) as true. Option 3 wrongly treats (R) as false.
Remember: Large Himalayan rivers are perennial because rain is supported by snow and glacier melt.Source: NCERT Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Ch. 3 (Drainage System)
- #20UPPCS 2002 (Mains)Consider the following statements:Assertion (A): While all major rivers of peninsular India flow into the Bay of Bengal, the Narmada and the Tapi flow into the Arabian sea.Reason (R): The Narmada and the Tapi rivers flow in rift valley.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- ABoth (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
- C(A) is true, but (R) is false.
- D(A) is false, but (R) is true.
Answer: (A) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).Explanation
Assertion (A) is true. Peninsular rivers like the Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri flow east to the Bay of Bengal. The Narmada and Tapi flow west to the Arabian Sea.
Reason (R) is true. These two rivers flow through rift (fault) valleys between the Vindhyas and Satpuras.
The rift valley slopes westward, so it explains why they flow west. Hence R explains A.
Remember: Narmada and Tapi form estuaries, not deltas.Source: NCERT Class XI, India: Physical Environment, Ch. 3
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