Indian Geography — Drainage System
1. Himalayan Rivers
Context: The Himalayan rivers are perennial, fed by glaciers and monsoon rains. They form large basins and are characterized by deep gorges, meanders, and fertile alluvial plains.
Indus River System
- Origin: Kailash Mountain Range (Tibet).
- Length: ~2,900 km.
- Enter India: Through Ladakh.
- Tributaries: Gilgit, Gartang, Dras, Shiger, Hunza, Shyok, Nubra, Zaskar, Suru, Shigar, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej.
- Important: The Indus flows through India, Pakistan, and China.
Jhelum
- Origin: Verinag Spring at the foot of the Pir Panjal range.
- Flows through: Srinagar and the Wular Lake.
- Important: A tributary of the Indus.
Chenab
- Origin: Bara Lacha Pass (Himachal Pradesh).
- Flows through: Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab.
- Important: Largest tributary of the Indus.
Ravi
- Origin: Kullu Hills, near Rohtang Pass, Himachal Pradesh.
- Flows through: Area between the Pir Panjal and Dhaoladhar Range.
Beas
- Origin: Rohtang Pass (Himachal Pradesh).
- Flows through: Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
Sutlej
- Origin: Mansarovar Lake (Tibet).
- Flows through: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab.
- Important: The longest tributary of the Indus.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2016: The Indus River originates from which mountain range? Answer: Kailash Mountain Range.
- UPSC Prelims 2015: Jhelum originates from which spring? Answer: Verinag Spring.
2. Ganga River System
Ganga
- Origin (as Bhagirathi): Gangotri Glacier, near Gaumukh, Uttarakhand.
- Length: 2,525 km.
- Tributaries: Ramganga, Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda, Yamuna.
- Meets: Bay of Bengal.
Yamuna
- Origin: Yamunotri Glacier, Uttarakhand.
- Longest and westernmost tributary of Ganga.
- Meets Ganga at: Prayag (Prayagraj).
- Right Bank Tributaries: Chambal, Sind, Betwa, Ken.
- Left Bank Tributaries: Hindon, Rind, Senger, Varuna.
Chambal
- Tributary of Yamuna.
- Origin: Mhow, Malwa Plateau, MP.
- Famous for: Badland topography or Chambal Ravines.
Ghaghara
- Origin: Mapchachungo Glacier.
- Meets Ganga at: Chappra, Bihar.
Gandak
- Origin: Nepal Himalayas.
- Streams: Kaliganga and Trishul Ganga.
- Joins Ganga at: Sonpur near Patna.
Kosi
- Origin: Nepal Himalayas.
- Known as: "Sorrow of Bihar" due to frequent floods.
Son
- Origin: Amarkantak Plateau.
- Important: Largest tributary of Ganga on the south bank.
Mahananda
- Origin: Darjeeling Hills.
- Flows through: West Bengal, Bihar.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2019: The Ganga originates from which glacier? Answer: Gangotri Glacier (as Bhagirathi).
- UPSC Prelims 2017: Chambal river originates from which plateau? Answer: Malwa Plateau.
- UPSC Prelims 2016: Which river meets Ganga at Prayagraj? Answer: Yamuna.
- UPSC Prelims 2014: Which river is known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar'? Answer: Kosi.
3. Brahmaputra River System
Brahmaputra (called Tsangpo in Tibet)
- Origin: Chemayungdung glacier, Kailash range near the Mansarovar lake.
- Enters: Bangladesh near Dhubri.
- In Bangladesh, Tista + Brahmaputra → Jamuna.
- Well-known for: Floods, channel shifting and bank erosion.
- Tributaries: Dihang, Lohit, Subansiri, Teesta, Meghna (Barak in Assam), Manas.
Teesta
- Origin: Sikkim (known as lifeline of Sikkim).
- Flows through: Sikkim and West Bengal.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2020: Brahmaputra is known as Tsangpo in which country? Answer: Tibet (China).
- UPSC Prelims 2018: Teesta is known as the lifeline of which state? Answer: Sikkim.
4. Peninsular Rivers — West Flowing
Context: Peninsular rivers are seasonal, dependent on monsoon rains. West-flowing rivers drain into the Arabian Sea.
Narmada
- Origin: Amarkantak Plateau.
- Forms: Dhuandhar waterfall near Jabalpur.
- Drains Into: Arabian Sea.
- Tributaries: Sher, Shakkar, Dudhi, Tawa.
- Important: Flows through a rift valley between Vindhya and Satpura ranges.
Tapi
- Origin: Multai, Betul district, Madhya Pradesh.
- States: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat.
- Drains Into: Arabian Sea.
- Important: Second largest west-flowing river.
Mahi
- Origin: Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.
- States: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
- Drains Into: Gulf of Cambay.
Sabarmati
- Origin: Aravalli hills.
- States: Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Important: Combined stream of Sabar and Hathmati.
Sharavati
- Origin: Shimoga, Karnataka.
- Creates: Jog Falls (highest waterfall in India).
- Drains Into: Arabian Sea.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2019: Narmada originates from which plateau? Answer: Amarkantak Plateau.
- UPSC Prelims 2017: Jog Falls is formed by which river? Answer: Sharavati.
- UPSC Prelims 2015: Tapi river originates from which place? Answer: Multai, Betul district, MP.
5. Peninsular Rivers — East Flowing
Context: East-flowing rivers drain into the Bay of Bengal and form large deltas.
Godavari — Largest Peninsular River
- Also called: Dakshin Ganga.
- Origin: Nasik, Maharashtra.
- States: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Drains Into: Bay of Bengal.
- Tributaries: Penganga, Indravati, Pranhita, Manjra.
Krishna
- Origin: Mahabaleshwar in Sahyadri (Western Ghats).
- States: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh.
- Drains Into: Bay of Bengal.
- Tributaries: Koyna, Tungabhadra, Bhima.
Kaveri
- Origin: Brahmagiri Hills, Kodagu district, Karnataka.
- States: Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
- Drains Into: Bay of Bengal.
- Tributaries: Kabini, Bhavani, Amravati.
Mahanadi
- Origin: Sihawa, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
- States: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
- Drains Into: Bay of Bengal.
- Tributaries: Seonath, Jonk, Hasdeo, Mand, Ib, Ong, Tel.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2020: Which is the largest peninsular river in India? Answer: Godavari.
- UPSC Prelims 2018: Godavari is also known as? Answer: Dakshin Ganga.
- UPSC Prelims 2016: Krishna originates from which place? Answer: Mahabaleshwar.
- UPSC Prelims 2015: Kaveri originates from which hills? Answer: Brahmagiri Hills.
6. Summary: Drainage System at a Glance
| River | Origin | Drains Into | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indus | Kailash Range | Arabian Sea | ~2,900 km |
| Jhelum | Verinag Spring | Indus | Flows through Wular Lake |
| Ganga | Gangotri Glacier | Bay of Bengal | 2,525 km |
| Yamuna | Yamunotri | Ganga | Meets at Prayagraj |
| Brahmaputra | Chemayungdung | Bay of Bengal | Called Tsangpo in Tibet |
| Narmada | Amarkantak | Arabian Sea | Rift valley; Dhuandhar falls |
| Tapi | Multai, MP | Arabian Sea | 2nd largest west-flowing |
| Godavari | Nasik, Maharashtra | Bay of Bengal | Dakshin Ganga |
| Krishna | Mahabaleshwar | Bay of Bengal | Tungabhadra tributary |
| Kaveri | Brahmagiri Hills | Bay of Bengal | Karnataka → Tamil Nadu |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Indus: Kailash Range; enters India through Ladakh
- Jhelum: Verinag Spring; flows through Wular Lake
- Ganga: Gangotri Glacier; 2,525 km; Yamuna meets at Prayagraj
- Chambal: Malwa Plateau; famous for ravines
- Brahmaputra: Chemayungdung; Tsangpo in Tibet; Teesta (lifeline of Sikkim)
- Narmada: Amarkantak; Dhuandhar falls; rift valley
- Tapi: Multai, MP; 2nd largest west-flowing
- Godavari: Nasik; Dakshin Ganga; largest peninsular river
- Krishna: Mahabaleshwar; Tungabhadra tributary
- Kaveri: Brahmagiri Hills; Kabini, Bhavani tributaries
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Drainage System)
Q1. The Indus River originates from which mountain range?
Correct Answer: B. The Indus River originates from the Kailash Mountain Range in Tibet. (UPSC 2016)
Q2. Jhelum originates from which spring?
Correct Answer: B. Jhelum originates from the Verinag Spring at the foot of the Pir Panjal range. (UPSC 2015)
Q3. The Ganga originates as Bhagirathi from which glacier?
Correct Answer: B. The Ganga originates as Bhagirathi from the Gangotri Glacier near Gaumukh, Uttarakhand. (UPSC 2019)
Q4. Yamuna meets Ganga at:
Correct Answer: C. Yamuna meets Ganga at Prayag (Prayagraj). It is the longest and westernmost tributary of Ganga. (UPSC 2016)
Q5. Chambal river originates from which plateau?
Correct Answer: B. Chambal originates from Mhow in the Malwa Plateau, Madhya Pradesh. It is famous for badland topography or Chambal Ravines. (UPSC 2017)
Q6. Brahmaputra is known as Tsangpo in which country?
Correct Answer: C. Brahmaputra is known as Tsangpo in Tibet (China). It originates from the Chemayungdung glacier near Mansarovar lake. (UPSC 2020)
Q7. Which is the largest peninsular river in India?
Correct Answer: C. Godavari is the largest peninsular river in India, also known as Dakshin Ganga. It originates from Nasik, Maharashtra. (UPSC 2020)
Q8. Narmada forms which waterfall near Jabalpur?
Correct Answer: C. Narmada forms the Dhuandhar waterfall near Jabalpur. It drains into the Arabian Sea. (UPSC 2019)
Q9. The lifeline of Sikkim is:
Correct Answer: B. Teesta is known as the lifeline of Sikkim. It originates in Sikkim and is a tributary of the Brahmaputra. (UPSC 2018)
Q10. Kaveri originates from which hills?
Correct Answer: C. Kaveri originates from the Brahmagiri Hills in Kodagu district, Karnataka. It drains into the Bay of Bengal. (UPSC 2015)