Major Rivers of India Practice Questions
20 free Major Rivers of India practice questions for the Static GK. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which river is known as the 'Dakshin Ganga' (Ganges of the South)?
- A Krishna
- B Cauvery
- C Mahanadi
- D Godavari
Correct answer: Godavari
The Godavari is the largest peninsular river system in India and is often referred to as Dakshin Ganga due to its large size and extent. It originates from Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra and flows into the Bay of Bengal.
At which location do the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to form the Ganga?
- A Rudraprayag
- B Devprayag
- C Karnaprayag
- D Haridwar
Correct answer: Devprayag
Devprayag is the final prayag of the Alaknanda River where it joins the Bhagirathi River. From this point onwards, the merged stream is officially known as the Ganga.
Which of the following rivers flows through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges?
- A Tapi
- B Narmada
- C Mahi
- D Mahanadi
Correct answer: Narmada
The Narmada River flows westwards through a rift valley formed due to faulting. It is located between the Vindhya range to the north and the Satpura range to the south.
The Majuli island, the largest river island in the world, is located in which river?
- A Ganga
- B Brahmaputra
- C Tungabhadra
- D Godavari
Correct answer: Brahmaputra
Majuli is a large river island in the Brahmaputra River, located in the state of Assam. It was the first island to be made a district in India.
Which river is often called the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to its frequent floods and course changes?
- A Gandak
- B Son
- C Kosi
- D Ghaghara
Correct answer: Kosi
The Kosi River is known as the Sorrow of Bihar because its unstable nature leads to frequent shifts in its channel and devastating floods. It carries a heavy silt load from the Himalayas which blocks its path.
Which river originates from the Amarkantak plateau in Madhya Pradesh?
- A Narmada
- B Tapi
- C Betwa
- D Chambal
Correct answer: Narmada
The Narmada River rises near the Amarkantak hill range in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh. The Son river also originates from the same plateau but flows in a different direction.
The Yarlung Tsangpo river is known by which name after entering India in Arunachal Pradesh?
- A Manas
- B Lohit
- C Siang
- D Subansiri
Correct answer: Siang
In Tibet, the Brahmaputra is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo. Upon entering India through a deep gorge in Arunachal Pradesh, it is initially called the Siang or Dihang before joining other tributaries to become the Brahmaputra.
Which of these is a right-bank tributary of the river Ganga?
- A Gomti
- B Ghaghara
- C Son
- D Ken
Correct answer: Son
The Son river is a major right-bank tributary of the Ganga that originates from the Amarkantak plateau. Most other major tributaries like the Gomti, Gandak, and Kosi join the Ganga from the left (north).
Which river flows through the 'Marble Rocks' gorge near Jabalpur?
- A Narmada
- B Tapi
- C Krishna
- D Betwa
Correct answer: Narmada
The Narmada River creates the famous Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat near Jabalpur. Here, the river flows through a deep gorge of magnesium limestone rocks before plunging into the Dhuandhar Falls.
The 'Indus Water Treaty' (1960) gives India exclusive rights over which set of rivers?
- A Indus, Jhelum, Chenab
- B Sutlej, Beas, Ravi
- C Indus, Sutlej, Beas
- D Ravi, Beas, Jhelum
Correct answer: Sutlej, Beas, Ravi
According to the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan, the waters of the three 'eastern rivers' (Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi) are allocated to India for unrestricted use. Pakistan has rights over the 'western rivers' (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab).
Which river is the primary source of water for the Indira Gandhi Canal?
- A Ravi
- B Sutlej
- C Chenab
- D Jhelum
Correct answer: Sutlej
The Indira Gandhi Canal, one of the largest canal projects in India, starts from the Harike Barrage at the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers. It mainly carries Sutlej water to the arid regions of Rajasthan.
Which is the longest river of Peninsular India?
- A Narmada
- B Krishna
- C Godavari
- D Mahanadi
Correct answer: Godavari
With a length of about 1,465 km, the Godavari is the longest river in the Peninsular plateau. It drains a large part of the Deccan plateau across Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
The city of Vijayawada is situated on the banks of which river?
- A Godavari
- B Cauvery
- C Krishna
- D Tungabhadra
Correct answer: Krishna
Vijayawada is a major city in Andhra Pradesh located on the banks of the Krishna River. The Prakasam Barrage built across the river at Vijayawada is a major landmark.
Which river originates from the Brahmagiri range of the Western Ghats?
- A Krishna
- B Cauvery
- C Vaigai
- D Periyar
Correct answer: Cauvery
The Cauvery (Kaveri) river rises in the Brahmagiri range of the Western Ghats in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. It is considered a sacred river in South India.
Which of the following is NOT a tributary of the Indus river?
- A Zanskar
- B Beas
- C Luni
- D Shyok
Correct answer: Luni
The Luni is an endorheic river of western Rajasthan and does not join the Indus; it ends in the Rann of Kutch. Zanskar, Nubra, and Shyok are all Himalayan tributaries of the Indus.
The Shivanasamudra Falls is found on the course of which river?
- A Sharavati
- B Cauvery
- C Netravati
- D Periyar
Correct answer: Cauvery
The Shivanasamudra Falls is a famous waterfall on the Cauvery River in the Mandya district of Karnataka. It was the site of one of the first hydroelectric power stations in Asia, established in 1902.
Which river is also known as the 'Singi Khamban' (Lion's Mouth) in Tibet?
- A Indus
- B Brahmaputra
- C Sutlej
- D Ganga
Correct answer: Indus
In the Tibetan plateau, the Indus River is known as Singi Khamban. It originates near Mansarovar Lake and flows northwest before entering India in Ladakh.
The Chambal River is a major tributary of which river?
- A Ganga
- B Narmada
- C Sabarmati
- D Yamuna
Correct answer: Yamuna
The Chambal River is a significant tributary of the Yamuna, flowing through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. It is well known for its deep ravines and the Gharial sanctuary.
Which of the following rivers is an east-flowing river of the Peninsular plateau?
- A Mahi
- B Sabarmati
- C Sharavati
- D Mahanadi
Correct answer: Mahanadi
The Mahanadi is a major east-flowing river that drains into the Bay of Bengal through Odisha. Mahi, Sabarmati, and Sharavati are all west-flowing rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea.
The Tungabhadra is the main tributary of which river?
- A Krishna
- B Godavari
- C Cauvery
- D Pennar
Correct answer: Krishna
The Tungabhadra is formed by the union of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers in Karnataka and is the chief tributary of the Krishna River. It was a vital water source for the ancient Vijayanagara Empire.