UPSC CSE Prelims
Drainage System and Rivers Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Drainage System and Rivers with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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Consider the following rivers :
- Vamsadhara
- Indravati
- Pranahita
- Pennar
Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari?
Detailed Explanation:
Indravati and Pranhita are major left-bank tributaries of the Godavari River, joining it in its middle and lower course respectively.
Vamsadhara flows independently into the Bay of Bengal along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, not a Godavari tributary.
Pennar River is an independent east-flowing river draining entirely within Andhra Pradesh, emptying into the Bay of Bengal south of the Godavari delta.
Consider the following rivers:
- Barak
- Lohit
- Subansiri
Which of the above flows / flow through Arunachal Pradesh?
Detailed Explanation:
Lohit River: Originates in the Mishmi Hills of eastern Arunachal Pradesh and flows through Anjaw and Lohit districts before joining the Brahmaputra.
Subansiri River: A major tributary of Brahmaputra, flows through Upper Subansiri and Lower Subansiri districts of Arunachal Pradesh before entering Assam.
Barak River: Originates in the Manipur Hills and flows through Manipur, Mizoram, and Assam only; does not flow through Arunachal Pradesh.
The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why?
- It occupies a linear rift valley.
- It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras.
- The land slopes to the west from Central India.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Narmada River flows through a linear rift valley formed by faulting and tectonic subsidence between the Vindhya Range (north) and Satpura Range (south). This east-west oriented rift structure directs the river's flow westward into the Arabian Sea, making it an exception among peninsular rivers.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: While the Narmada does flow between the Vindhyas and Satpuras, merely being confined between two ranges does not explain the westward direction. Confinement alone could allow flow in either direction; it is the rift valley orientation that determines the westward flow.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Peninsular Plateau has a general slope from west to east, which is why most peninsular rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi) flow eastward to the Bay of Bengal. The Narmada's westward flow contradicts this regional slope and is explained by its structural control through the rift valley, not by land slope.
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Related Topics in Indian Geography
Mountain Ranges and Peaks
Physiographic Divisions of India
Islands of India
Geological Structure of India
Peninsular Plateau
Lakes of India
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