Geography · General Awareness

Indian Rivers and Waterways

2,831 Questions

This topic covers major Indian rivers, their basins, hydroelectric projects, and historical water management systems. Questions on river geography are essential for SSC, banking, railways, UPSC, and state exams. Solving these questions builds mapping and factual accuracy for test takers.

River hydroelectric projectsMajor river basinsAncient water managementInterlinking of riversMythological Indian rivers

Indian Rivers and Waterways Questions

Multiple choice

Nasik is situated on the bank of the river

  1. Godavari

  2. Narmada

  3. Mahanadi

  4. Krishna.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Nasik (or Nashik) is an ancient city located on the banks of the Godavari River in Maharashtra. It is one of the four locations of the Kumbh Mela and holds religious significance.

Multiple choice

Hirukund Dam is built on the river

  1. Mahanadi

  2. Krishna

  3. Cauvery

  4. Ravi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hirakud Dam is built across the Mahanadi River in Odisha (formerly Orissa). It is the longest major earthen dam in Asia and one of the longest dams in the world, built in the 1950s.

Multiple choice

The canals of Kerala state are

  1. canals of Nagarjunasagar irrigation works

  2. canals of Rampadsagar irrigation works

  3. canals of Mangalam irrigation scheme

  4. canals of the Mettur irrigation scheme
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Mangalam irrigation scheme is a water management project located in Kerala. The canals from this irrigation scheme are specifically associated with Kerala state, unlike the Nagarjunasagar (Andhra Pradesh/Telangana), Rampadsagar (Rajasthan), or Mettur (Tamil Nadu) irrigation projects which belong to different states.

Multiple choice

Polavaram Multi-purpose Project will link the rivers

  1. Godavari and Pennar

  2. Bhima and Krishna

  3. Krishna and Cauvery

  4. Krishna and Godavari

  5. Bhima and Godavari
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This dam across the river Godavari is under construction and is located in West Godavari District and East Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh. Its reservoir spreads in parts of Chhattisgarh and Orissa also.

Multiple choice

Which of the following landforms are characteristic of rivers in Peninsular mountains?

a. Shallow river valleys b. Gorges c. Rapids d. Waterfalls e. Deltas

  1. a, b and d

  2. b, c and d

  3. a, c and d

  4. a, c, d and e

  5. a, b, c, d and e
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. These type of mountains are tectonic in origin, dissected by fast-flowing rivers, which are in their youthful stage. Various landforms like gorges, V-shaped valleys, rapids, waterfalls, etc. are indicative of this stage.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements about the rivers flowing in the Peninsular block is/are correct?

a. The river valleys here are shallow with low gradients. b. Most of the east flowing rivers form deltas before entering into the Bay of Bengal. c. The rivers are fast-flowing which have formed landforms like gorges, V-shaped valleys, rapids and waterfalls, etc.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. a and b

  4. a and c

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as both statements are correct.

Multiple choice

With which of the following dams is the ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’ associated?

  1. Sardar Sarovar Dam

  2. Tehri Dam

  3. Tawa Dam

  4. Rihand Dam
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) was a social movement against the construction of large dams on the Narmada River, particularly the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat. Led by Medha Patkar and others, it raised concerns about displacement, environmental impact, and rehabilitation. Tehri Dam is on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand, Tawa Dam is in Madhya Pradesh, and Rihand Dam is in Uttar Pradesh.

Multiple choice

Which river is known by the name of Jamuna in Bangladesh?

  1. Ganga

  2. Yamuna

  3. Brahmaputra

  4. Godawari

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Brahmaputra River is known as the Jamuna in Bangladesh. After entering Bangladesh, the Brahmaputra flows southwest and is joined by the Teesta River, then continues as the Jamuna until it merges with the Ganga (Padma) near Aricha.

Multiple choice

Through which states and UT does river Kaveri flow?

  1. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Pondichery

  2. Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

  3. Pondichery, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh

  4. Assam, Manipur and Bihar

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Kaveri River originates in Karnataka, flows through Tamil Nadu, and forms part of the boundary with Puducherry (Pondicherry). It is one of the major rivers in South India and is considered sacred. The other options include states through which the Kaveri does not flow.

Multiple choice

Land of five rivers

  1. Kerala

  2. Haryana

  3. Punjab

  4. Japan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Punjab is called the Land of Five Rivers because its name comes from Persian words 'Panj' (five) and 'Ab' (water), referring to the five rivers that flow through it: Beas, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, and Sutlej.

Multiple choice

Baglihar dam is constructed on the river

  1. Ravi

  2. Chenab

  3. Indus

  4. Sutlej
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Baglihar Dam is a hydroelectric project constructed on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. It is located in the Doda district and is a run-of-the-river power project.