Drainage System MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Drainage System - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is the Brahmaputra.

• The Brahmaputra originates in Tibet.

The Ganga

• Origin: Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh (3,900 m) in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
• Here, it is known as the Bhagirathi.
• The river has a length of 2,525 km.
• It is shared by Uttarakhand (110 km) and Uttar Pradesh(1,450 km), Bihar (445 km), and West Bengal (520 km).
• The Ganga basin covers about 8.6 lakh sq. km area in India alone.
• The Ganga river system is the largest in India. 
• The Son is its major right-bank tributary.
• The important left-bank tributaries are the Ramganga, the Gomati, the Ghaghara, the Gandak, the Kosi, and the Mahananda.
• The river finally discharges itself into the Bay of Bengal near Sagar Island.

The Yamuna

• Origin: Yamunotri glacier on the western slopes of the Banderpunch range (6,316 km).
• It is the westernmost and the longest tributary of the Ganga. 
• It joins the Ganga at Prayag (Allahabad).
• It is joined by the Chambal, the Sind, the Betwa, and the Ken on its right bank.
• It is joined by the Hindan, the Rind, the Sengar, the Varuna, etc. join it on its left bank.

The Brahmaputra

• Origin: Chemayungdung glacier of the Kailash range near the Mansarovar lake in Tibet.
• In Tibet, it is known as the Tsangpo, which means ‘the purifier.’
• The Rango Tsangpo is the major right-bank tributary of this river in Tibet.
• It enters India west of Sadiya town in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Flowing southwest, it receives its main left-bank tributaries, viz., Dibang or Sikang, and Lohit; thereafter, it is known as the Brahmaputra.
• The Brahmaputra enters Bangladesh near Dhubri and flows southward.
• In Bangladesh, the Tista joins it on its right bank from where the river is known as the Jamuna.
• It finally merges with the river Padma, which falls in the Bay of Bengal.

The Godavari

• Origin: Nasik district of Maharashtra.
• The Godavari is the largest Peninsular river system.
• It is also called the Dakshin Ganga.
• It discharges its water into the Bay of Bengal.
• Its tributaries run through the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
• It is 1,465 km long with a catchment area spreading over 3.13 lakh sq. km.
• The Penganga, the Indravati, the Pranhita, and the Manjra are its principal tributaries.

The correct answer is Tungabhadra.Key PointsTungabhadra River:

• The river Tungabhadra derives its name from the Tunga, and  the Bhadra, and confluence of the two streams at Koodli in Shimoga.
• The Tungabhadra River does not flow into the Arabian Sea.
• Tungabhadra River is a major tributary of Krishna River.
• It's Major tributaries are the Bhadra, the Haridra, the Vedavati, the Tunga, the Varda and the Kumdavathi.

Additional InformationNarmada River:

• The Narmada rises in the Amarkantak hills in Madhya Pradesh.
• It flows towards the west in a rift valley formed due to faulting.
• On its way to the sea, the Narmada creates many picturesque locations.
• The ‘Marble rocks’, near Jabalpur, where the Narmada flows through a deep gorge, and the ‘Dhuadhar falls, where the river plunges over steep rocks, are some of the notable ones.
• All tributaries of the Narmada are very short and most of these join the main stream at right angles.
• The Narmada basin covers parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
• The Narmada river conservation mission has been undertaken by the government of Madhya Pradesh by a scheme named Namami Devi Narmade.

Mandovi River:

• The Mandovi river is also known as the Mahadayi in Karnataka.
• This river is Goa's lifeline.
• Mahadayi river rises in the Western Ghats, from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Khanapur taluk of Karnataka’s Belagavi district.
• Flowing westward, it enters Goa from Sattari taluk of North Goa districts.
• A number of streams join the flow of the river to form the Mandovi which is one of two major rivers that flow through Goa.
• It joins the Arabian Sea at Panaji.

​Sabarmati River:

• Sabarmati river originates from Aravalli Hills, Rajasthan and meets in Bay of Khambhat in Arabian sea.
• This is one of the major west flowing river in India
• Its length is 371 km. and total catchment area is 21,674 sq. km.
• Sei, Siri and Dhamni are the right bank’s tributaries. 
• Wakal, Harnav, Hathmati, Khari, Watrak are left bank’s tributaries.​

The correct answer is Ravi.

Key Points

• Ravi is one of the major rivers of the Indus basin system, flowing through India and Pakistan.
• The river originates in the Kullu hills of Himachal Pradesh, India, and flows westward before entering Pakistan.
• It is an important tributary of the Indus River and plays a significant role in the irrigation systems in both countries.
• The Ravi River is historically significant, being mentioned in ancient texts like the Rigveda and associated with the region of Punjab.
• Under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), the Ravi is allocated to India for utilization of its waters.

Additional Information

• Indus River System
  • The Indus River System consists of six main rivers: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
  • These rivers originate in the Himalayas and serve as lifelines for agriculture in northern India and Pakistan.
  • The system is governed by the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), signed between India and Pakistan.
• Indus Waters Treaty (1960)
  • The treaty was brokered by the World Bank to resolve water-sharing disputes between India and Pakistan.
  • Under the treaty, India has control over the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej), while Pakistan controls the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab).
• Punjab Region
  • The name "Punjab" translates to "Land of Five Rivers," referring to Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Chenab, and Jhelum.
  • The region is agriculturally rich, largely due to the extensive irrigation supported by the Indus River System.
• Ravi River's Historical Significance
  • The Ravi River was central to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.
  • It flows near the historic city of Lahore, Pakistan, and has cultural importance in the region.

The correct answer is Aravalli Hills, Rajasthan.

Key Points

• The Sabarmati River originates from the Aravalli Hills near Udaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan.
• It flows through the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat before emptying into the Arabian Sea.
• The river has a total length of approximately 371 km, with 48 km in Rajasthan and 323 km in Gujarat.
• The Sabarmati is one of the major west-flowing rivers in India, and it plays an important role in the irrigation and water supply of the region.
• It is fed by two major tributaries: the Sedhi River and the Wakal River.

Additional Information

• Aravalli Hills:
  • The Aravalli Hills are one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world, extending across Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat.
  • They are known for their unique geology and are rich in mineral resources.
  • The hills play a critical role in influencing the climatic conditions of the surrounding areas.
• Sabarmati River Basin:
  • The Sabarmati basin covers an area of approximately 21,674 sq. km, making it an important drainage system in western India.
  • The basin supports agriculture and industries, especially in Gujarat, where cities like Ahmedabad are located along the river.
• Importance of the Sabarmati:
  • The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project in Ahmedabad has turned the river into a model of urban riverfront development.
  • The river is also culturally significant as it is associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram.
• West-Flowing Rivers in India:
  • Unlike most rivers in India that flow eastward, Sabarmati is among the few west-flowing rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea.
  • Other major west-flowing rivers include the Narmada, Tapi, and Mahi rivers.

The correct answer is option 1.

Key Points

The correct answer is Krishna.

Key Points

The correct answer is Godavari.

Key Points

• The Godavari River rises from Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.
• It is also known as the Dakshin Ganga.
• It is the second-longest river in India.
• Dams on the Godavari river are - Polavaram Dam (Andhra Pradesh), and Pochampad Dam (Telangana).
• Tributaries of Godavari are Pranhita, Pravara, the Purna, the Manjra, and the Penganga.

Additional Information

The correct answer is meanders.

Key Points

• Meandering River:
  • The formation of successive bends of reverse order may lead to the formation of a complete S curve called Meanders.
  • When consecutive curves of reverse order connected with short straight reaches called crossings are developed in a river reach, the river is stated to be a Meandering river.
• The meandering of a river is due to the erodibility of the bed and banks of streams.
• Causes
  • Extra turbulence is generated by excess river sediment during floods. When the silt charge is in excess of the quantity required for stability, the river starts building up its slope by depositing the silt on its bed.
  • The increase in bed slope tends to increase the width of the channel if the banks are not resistant. The banks are attacked by river water and in the process one bank is likely to be attacked slightly more than the other, causing a slight deviation in flow.
  • This slight deviation from the uniform axial flow helps in improving more and more flow towards one bank than towards the other.
  • This process continues causing one bank to be convex and another to be concave. Hence, increasing slope is also a reason for meandering.

Additional Information

• Meander parameters:
• Meander Length: It is the axial length of one mender, i.e. tangential distance between the corresponding points of the meander.
• Meander Belt: It is the distance between the outer edges of clockwise and anticlockwise loops.
• Meander Ratio: It is the ratio of the meander belt to the meander length.
• Tortuosity: It is the ratio of length along the channel (actual length) to the direct axial length.
• Crossings or cross-over: It is the shortest reach of the river, connecting two consecutive clockwise and anticlockwise loops.

The correct answer is the Brahmaputra.

• The Brahmaputra originates in Tibet.

The Ganga

• Origin: Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh (3,900 m) in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
• Here, it is known as the Bhagirathi.
• The river has a length of 2,525 km.
• It is shared by Uttarakhand (110 km) and Uttar Pradesh(1,450 km), Bihar (445 km), and West Bengal (520 km).
• The Ganga basin covers about 8.6 lakh sq. km area in India alone.
• The Ganga river system is the largest in India. 
• The Son is its major right-bank tributary.
• The important left-bank tributaries are the Ramganga, the Gomati, the Ghaghara, the Gandak, the Kosi, and the Mahananda.
• The river finally discharges itself into the Bay of Bengal near Sagar Island.

The Yamuna

• Origin: Yamunotri glacier on the western slopes of the Banderpunch range (6,316 km).
• It is the westernmost and the longest tributary of the Ganga. 
• It joins the Ganga at Prayag (Allahabad).
• It is joined by the Chambal, the Sind, the Betwa, and the Ken on its right bank.
• It is joined by the Hindan, the Rind, the Sengar, the Varuna, etc. join it on its left bank.

The Brahmaputra

• Origin: Chemayungdung glacier of the Kailash range near the Mansarovar lake in Tibet.
• In Tibet, it is known as the Tsangpo, which means ‘the purifier.’
• The Rango Tsangpo is the major right-bank tributary of this river in Tibet.
• It enters India west of Sadiya town in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Flowing southwest, it receives its main left-bank tributaries, viz., Dibang or Sikang, and Lohit; thereafter, it is known as the Brahmaputra.
• The Brahmaputra enters Bangladesh near Dhubri and flows southward.
• In Bangladesh, the Tista joins it on its right bank from where the river is known as the Jamuna.
• It finally merges with the river Padma, which falls in the Bay of Bengal.

The Godavari

• Origin: Nasik district of Maharashtra.
• The Godavari is the largest Peninsular river system.
• It is also called the Dakshin Ganga.
• It discharges its water into the Bay of Bengal.
• Its tributaries run through the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
• It is 1,465 km long with a catchment area spreading over 3.13 lakh sq. km.
• The Penganga, the Indravati, the Pranhita, and the Manjra are its principal tributaries.

The correct answer is Rajasthan.

Key Points

• Sabarmati river originates from the Aravalli hills in Kotdi tehsil of Udaipur district of Rajasthan.
• Sabarmati river flows through Dungarpur, Pali, Sirohi, and falls in Bay of Khambhat through Sabarkantha district of Gujarat.
• Gandhinagar (Capital of Gujarat) is situated on the bank of this river.
• Tributaries of Sabarmati river are Wakal, Hathmati, Mazam, Wetrak, and Sei.
  • (i) Sei – Padrn village of Udaipur is its origin and joins Sabarmati in Gujarat.
  • (ii) Wakal – Gogunda hills in Udaipur  joins Sabarmati in Gujarat.
  • (iii) Wetrak – Joyri village in Dungarpur is its origin point and joins Sabarmati in Gujarat.

The Correct answer is Dev Prayag.

Important Points

• Devaprayag is the place of confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda River. 
• Vishnuprayag is the place of confluence of the Dhauliganga  and Alaknanda River. 
• Rudraprayag is the place of confluence of the Mandakini and Alaknanda River. 
• Karnaprayag is the place of confluence of the Pindar and Alaknanda River. 
• Nandaprayag is the place of confluence of the Nandakini and the Alaknanda River. ​

Additional Information

• Alaknanda river is one of the headstreams of the Ganga. 
• It rises at the confluence and feet of the Satopanth and Bhagirath glaciers in Uttarkhand.
• It meets the Bhagirathi River at Devprayag after which it is called as the Ganga.
• Its main tributaries are the Mandakini, Nandakini, and Pindar rivers.
• Bhagirathi river is one of the two most important headstreams of the Ganga which meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag to form the Ganga
• It rises at the foot of Gangotri Glacier, at Gaumukh, at an elevation of 3892m at the base of Chaukhamba peak in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
  • Dhauliganga river originates from Vasudhara Tal, perhaps the largest glacial lake in Uttarakhand.
• It is one of the important tributaries of Alaknanda, the other being the Nandakini, Pindar, Mandakini and Bhagirathi.
• Dhauliganga is joined by the Rishiganga river at Raini.
• At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda. Hereafter, it is known as the Ganga.
• The Alaknanda has its source in the Satopanth glacier above Badrinath. 
• The Alaknanda consists of the Dhauli and the Vishnu Ganga which meet at Joshimath or Vishnu Prayag. 
• The other tributaries of Alaknanda such as the Pindar join it at Karna Prayag while Mandakini or Kali Ganga meets it at Rudra Prayag. 
• The Ganga enters the plains at Haridwar. 

The correct answer is Narmada.

• Narmada:
  • It also called the Reva and Narbada.
  • It is also known as the "Life Line of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat" for its huge contribution to the state of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
  • It froms Amarkantak Plateau in the Anuppur district.
  • It makes the traditional boundary between North India and South India and flows westwards over a length of 1,312 km before it drained through the Gulf of Khambhat into the Arabian Sea.
  • It flows westward along with the Tapti River and the Mahi River. 
  •  A rift valley has formed this river, and it does not form a delta along with Tapti, it mainly forms an estuary largest River Without Delta.
• Tapti:
  • It is a river in central India.
  • The river flows between the Godavari and Narmada.
  • It flows westwards before draining into the Arabian Sea.
  •  The river has a length of 724 km.
  • It originates from the Multai village near Betul district in MP.

Additional Information

• https://knowindia.gov.in/general-information/length-of-some-important-indian-rivers.php 

The correct answer is  Yamuna

Key Points 

• The Yamuna is a river in India.
• It is the largest tributary of the Ganges River.
• It originates from a place called Yamunotri and joins the Ganges at Prayagraj.
• It flows from North to South.
• Notable among its major tributaries are Chambal, Sengar, Choti Indus, Betwa and Ken.
• The major cities on the banks of Yamuna are Delhi and Agra.

The correct answer is Option 4.

Key Points

• The Ganga rises from the Gangotri glacier near Gomukh in the Uttarkashi district of the state of Uttarakhand.
• Devprayag is the confluence of the two holy rivers, the Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda.
• It is the first Prayag on the way to Badrinath. After this confluence, the river is known as the Ganges
• Total length: 2,510 km.
• The Five Prayags:
  • At Devaprayag, the Bhagirathi river and Alaknanda river meet.
  • At Rudraprayag, the Mandakini river and Alaknanda river meets.
  • At Nandaprayag, the Nandakini river and Alaknanda river meets.
  • At Karnaprayag, the Pindar river and Alaknanda river meets.
  • At Vishnuprayag, the Dhauliganga river and Alaknanda river meets.

The correct answer is Brahmaputra.

Key Points

• Majuli is a large river island situated in the middle of the Brahmaputra River in Assam.
  • Majuli is depicted as the largest river island in the world.
  • This island has been formed over a period of time due to the change of direction and area of the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries especially the Lohit river.
  • Majuli can also be called the 'cultural capital of Assam'.
  • Majuli is located in the northern part of the Jorhat district and is separated from the mainland by the Brahmaputra river.

Additional Information

• Brahmaputra River flows through Tibet, India and Bangladesh.
  • The Brahmaputra rises in the north of the Himalayas near Lake Mansarovar in the Purang district of Tibet, where it is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo.
  • Flowing in Tibet, this river enters the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Flowing in the valley of Assam, it is called the Brahmaputra, and then it is called Jamuna as soon as it enters Bangladesh.​