Q1. What is the fundamental basis for the classification of Indian rivers into Himalayan and Peninsular systems?
Major Rivers and Lakes of India: RAS Prelims MCQs
44 RAS Prelims MCQs on the rivers and lakes of India cover the classification of rivers, the Indus Waters Treaty, rift valley rivers, the Luni of Rajasthan and the major lakes. The origin and mouth of rivers and the type and State of each lake are tested, and each explanation names the feature that sets the river or lake apart.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 44 questions
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the characteristics of Himalayan rivers:
Statement I: They are predominantly perennial in nature.
Statement II: They receive water solely from the melting of glaciers in the higher altitudes.
Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Statement I: They are predominantly perennial in nature.
Statement II: They receive water solely from the melting of glaciers in the higher altitudes.
Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
Himalayan rivers are perennial because they receive water from two distinct sources throughout the year. During the summer months, the melting of high-altitude glaciers provides a steady flow. In the monsoon season, heavy rainfall significantly augments their discharge. This dual supply distinguishes them from seasonal rivers that depend solely on annual rainfall for their sustenance.
Q3. Which of the following is not a general characteristic of the Peninsular river systems in India?
Explanation
Peninsular rivers are geologically older and have reached a mature stage of development. Their courses are characterized by broad, shallow, and graded valleys with a fixed path. Unlike Himalayan rivers that traverse soft mountain strata and create deep meanders, Peninsular rivers flow through hard crystalline rocks, which prevents significant meandering and results in relatively straight channel patterns.
Q4. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Codes:
| River System | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| A. Himalayan Rivers | i. Form estuaries instead of deltas |
| B. Peninsular East-Flowing Rivers | ii. Drain into salt lakes or disappear in sand |
| C. Peninsular West-Flowing Rivers | iii. Form extensive deltas on the coast |
| D. Inland Drainage | iv. Antecedent and perennial in nature |
Explanation
Himalayan systems are antecedent, meaning they existed before the mountain ranges were fully uplifted. East-flowing Peninsular rivers carry heavy sediment loads that form large deltas at the coast. West-flowing rivers move through steep rift valleys, entering the sea via narrow estuaries. Inland drainage systems typically terminate in salt lakes or dissipate within arid desert sands.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Indus river system:
I. The Chenab is the largest tributary of the Indus.
II. The Sutlej originates from the Rakas lake in Tibet.
III. The Jhelum flows through the Wular Lake.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Chenab is the largest tributary of the Indus.
II. The Sutlej originates from the Rakas lake in Tibet.
III. The Jhelum flows through the Wular Lake.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Chenab serves as the most significant tributary of the Indus by volume. The Sutlej begins its journey at the Rakas lake in the Tibetan plateau before entering India. The Jhelum traverses the Kashmir Valley and passes through the Wular Lake. All these rivers form vital components of the extensive Indus basin drainage network.
Q6. Under the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, India has exclusive rights over the waters of which of the following rivers?
Explanation
The Indus Water Treaty allocated the usage of the six major rivers between India and Pakistan. According to this international agreement, India was granted exclusive rights to utilize the waters of the three eastern rivers. These specific rivers are the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. This distribution ensures water security for irrigation and power projects in northwestern India.
Q7. Consider the following dams/reservoirs on the Kaveri river system:
I. Harangi Dam
II. Krishna Raja Sagara Dam
III. Mettur Dam
IV. Grand Anicut (Kallanai)
Which of the above is the correct sequence from upstream to downstream?
I. Harangi Dam
II. Krishna Raja Sagara Dam
III. Mettur Dam
IV. Grand Anicut (Kallanai)
Which of the above is the correct sequence from upstream to downstream?
Explanation
The Kaveri river flows from the Western Ghats toward the Bay of Bengal. In its upstream section in Karnataka, the Harangi and Krishna Raja Sagara dams are located. Moving downstream into Tamil Nadu, the river passes through the Mettur Dam. Finally, near the delta region, the ancient Grand Anicut, or Kallanai, serves as a crucial structure for water distribution.
Q8. By definition, a rift valley river is one that flows through a linear-shaped lowland between several highlands. Which two ranges bound the Narmada rift valley?
Explanation
A rift valley is a linear lowland formed by the sinking of land between parallel faults. The Narmada river flows through such a valley in central India. This valley is structurally bounded by the Vindhya range to the north and the Satpura range to the south. This unique geological setting dictates the river’s westward course toward the Arabian Sea.
Q9. Which of the following statements about the Narmada river is incorrect?
Explanation
The Narmada river originates from the Amarkantak plateau and flows west through a rift valley. It is famous for the Marble Rocks and the Dhuandhar waterfalls near Jabalpur. Because it flows through hard rocks and has a steep gradient near the coast, it does not deposit enough sediment to form a delta. Instead, it enters the sea via an estuary.
Q10. Identify the correctly matched pair of locations associated with the Narmada river:
Explanation
The Narmada is a major west-flowing river that originates in the Amarkantak region of Madhya Pradesh. It creates several scenic features along its path, such as the Dhuandhar falls. Unlike east-flowing rivers, it does not form a delta. It eventually reaches the end of its journey by creating a significant estuary at the Gulf of Khambhat in the Arabian Sea.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Origin and evolutionary history of systems |
| 2 | (c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect |
| 3 | (c) They exhibit highly meandering courses in their middle stages |
| 4 | (a) A-iv, B-iii, C-i, D-ii |
| 5 | (d) I, II and III |
| 6 | (b) Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej |
| 7 | (a) I, II, III, IV |
| 8 | (c) Vindhya and Satpura |
| 9 | (a) It forms a broad and extensive delta at its mouth |
| 10 | (d) Estuary location - Gulf of Khambhat |
Key facts from Major Rivers and Lakes of India
- Indian rivers are classified as Himalayan and Peninsular on the basis of origin and evolutionary history.
- Under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, India has exclusive rights over the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.
- The Narmada and Tapi are rift valley rivers flowing between the Vindhya and Satpura; the Tapi rises at Multai in Betul district.
- The Luni rises in the Pushkar valley of the Aravallis and turns saline after Balotra; it is an inland-drainage river.
- Wular Lake is India’s largest freshwater lake and was formed by tectonic activity; Chilika is the largest coastal lagoon and a Ramsar site.
- Loktak in Manipur has floating phumdis and the Keibul Lamjao floating national park; Sambhar is the largest inland salt lake.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Major Rivers and Lakes of India?
This page has 44 practice MCQs on Major Rivers and Lakes of India (Indian Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which rivers does India control under the Indus Waters Treaty?
The three eastern rivers, the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. The three western rivers, the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, are allotted mainly to Pakistan under the 1960 treaty, with limited use allowed to India.
Where does the Luni river rise and end?
The Luni rises in the Pushkar valley of the Aravalli range near Ajmer and flows south-west, ending in the marshes of the Rann of Kachchh. It does not reach the sea and is a good example of inland drainage.
What is the largest coastal lagoon in India?
Chilika Lake in Odisha. It was the first Indian wetland recognised as a Ramsar site and supports the Irrawaddy dolphin, and its salinity changes with the seasons as river water mixes with sea water.