Indian Rivers, Lakes & Water Resources MCQs
🌊 MODULE 4: Indian Geography MCQs
Topic: Indian Rivers, Lakes & Water Resources MCQs
🔷 SUB-TOPIC I: Overview of Indian River Systems
Q1. Indian rivers are broadly classified into how many major groups?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Indian rivers are commonly classified as Himalayan rivers, Peninsular rivers, coastal rivers, and inland drainage rivers.
Q2. Which group of rivers is perennial in nature?
A. Peninsular rivers
B. Coastal rivers
C. Inland drainage rivers
D. Himalayan rivers
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Himalayan rivers are perennial because they are fed by glaciers and rainfall throughout the year.
🔷 SUB-TOPIC II: Himalayan River System
Q3. Which river is the longest river flowing entirely in India?
A. Brahmaputra
B. Yamuna
C. Ganga
D. Godavari
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Ganga is the longest river that flows completely within Indian territory.
Q4. The Brahmaputra enters India through which state?
A. Assam
B. Arunachal Pradesh
C. Arunachal Pradesh
D. Sikkim
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Brahmaputra enters India from Tibet through Arunachal Pradesh, where it is called the Dihang.
Q5. Which river is known as the “Sorrow of Bengal”?
A. Ganga
B. Yamuna
C. Damodar
D. Kosi
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The Kosi river causes frequent floods due to its changing course.
Q6. The Yamuna is a tributary of the:
A. Brahmaputra
B. Ganga
C. Indus
D. Godavari
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Yamuna is the largest tributary of the Ganga.
🔷 SUB-TOPIC III: Indus River System
Q7. The Indus River originates from:
A. Amarkantak Plateau
B. Mansarovar Lake region
C. Tibetan Plateau near Lake Mansarovar
D. Karakoram Range
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Indus originates near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet.
Q8. Which of the following is NOT a tributary of the Indus?
A. Jhelum
B. Chenab
C. Ravi
D. Yamuna
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga, not the Indus.
🔷 SUB-TOPIC IV: Peninsular River System
Q9. Peninsular rivers are mostly:
A. Perennial
B. Glacier-fed
C. Seasonal
D. Snow-fed
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
They depend mainly on monsoon rainfall and hence are seasonal.
Q10. Which is the longest river of Peninsular India?
A. Krishna
B. Narmada
C. Godavari
D. Mahanadi
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Godavari is often called the “Dakshin Ganga”.
Q11. Which river flows westward into the Arabian Sea?
A. Krishna
B. Mahanadi
C. Narmada
D. Godavari
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Narmada flows through a rift valley and drains into the Arabian Sea.
Q12. The source of the Godavari River is:
A. Western Ghats
B. Brahmagiri Hills
C. Satpura Range
D. Vindhya Range
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Godavari originates near Trimbakeshwar in the Brahmagiri Hills.
🔷 SUB-TOPIC V: East-Flowing vs West-Flowing Rivers
Q13. Which of the following rivers forms a large delta?
A. Narmada
B. Tapi
C. Mahanadi
D. Periyar
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
East-flowing rivers form extensive deltas due to gentle slopes.
Q14. West-flowing rivers generally have:
A. Large deltas
B. Estuaries
C. Long courses
D. Many tributaries
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
They flow over steep slopes and form estuaries instead of deltas.
🔷 SUB-TOPIC VI: Lakes of India
Q15. Which is the largest freshwater lake in India?
A. Dal Lake
B. Wular Lake
C. Wular Lake
D. Chilika Lake
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake in India.
Q16. Chilika Lake is famous because it is:
A. Freshwater lake
B. Artificial lake
C. Brackish water lagoon
D. Volcanic lake
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Chilika is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon.
Q17. Sambhar Lake is located in:
A. Gujarat
B. Punjab
C. Rajasthan
D. Haryana
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Sambhar is India’s largest inland saltwater lake.
🔷 SUB-TOPIC VII: Dams & Multipurpose Projects
Q18. Bhakra Nangal Project is built on which river?
A. Ganga
B. Sutlej
C. Ravi
D. Beas
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Bhakra Nangal is one of India’s largest multipurpose river valley projects.
Q19. Hirakud Dam is built on the:
A. Godavari
B. Krishna
C. Mahanadi
D. Kaveri
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Hirakud Dam is one of the longest earthen dams in the world.
Q20. The main purpose of multipurpose river valley projects is to:
A. Generate electricity only
B. Control floods only
C. Provide irrigation only
D. Serve multiple objectives like irrigation, power, and flood control
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
These projects integrate several water-management objectives.
🔷 SUB-TOPIC VIII: Water Resources & Drainage Patterns
Q21. Which drainage pattern is common in hard crystalline rocks?
A. Dendritic
B. Trellis
C. Rectangular
D. Radial
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Radial drainage develops around volcanic domes and hills.
Q22. Inland drainage rivers of India mainly disappear in:
A. Bay of Bengal
B. Arabian Sea
C. Deserts
D. Lakes
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Rivers like Luni drain into deserts and do not reach the sea.
🔷 SUB-TOPIC IX: Interlinking & Conservation
Q23. River interlinking in India aims to:
A. Increase floods
B. Reduce irrigation
C. Transfer water from surplus to deficit areas
D. Stop river flow
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
It seeks balanced water distribution across regions.
Q24. Over-exploitation of groundwater mainly leads to:
A. Floods
B. Tsunamis
C. Decline in water table
D. Volcanic activity
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Excessive withdrawal lowers groundwater levels.
🔷 SUB-TOPIC X: Significance & Overall Understanding
Q25. Which river is known as the “Dakshin Ganga”?
A. Krishna
B. Godavari
C. Kaveri
D. Tapi
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Godavari is the largest and longest river of Peninsular India.
Q26. Which lake is famous for migratory birds?
A. Sambhar Lake
B. Wular Lake
C. Chilika Lake
D. Dal Lake
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Chilika is a major wintering ground for migratory birds.
Q27. Which river has the largest basin in India?
A. Indus
B. Brahmaputra
C. Ganga
D. Godavari
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Ganga basin covers the largest area in India.
Q28. Which state is the most river-rich in India?
A. Rajasthan
B. Gujarat
C. Assam
D. Tamil Nadu
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Assam has a dense network of rivers, mainly due to the Brahmaputra system.
Q29. The primary importance of rivers in India is:
A. Navigation only
B. Religious activities
C. Agriculture, water supply, and economy
D. Tourism only
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Rivers are lifelines of Indian civilization and economy.
Q30. Indian rivers, lakes, and water resources are important because they:
A. Define political boundaries
B. Support agriculture, ecology, and human settlements
C. Are only cultural symbols
D. Have no economic value
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Water resources sustain life, economy, and ecological balance.
✅ Exam Relevance Note
These Indian Rivers, Lakes & Water Resources MCQs are strictly aligned with India-specific GK syllabi and are highly relevant for:
- UPSC & State PSC Examinations
- SSC (CGL, CHSL, GD, MTS)
- Banking & Railway Exams
- UG & PG Entrance Tests
- School & Board Exams (CBSE & State Boards)
- University & Competitive Examinations across India
-
Indian river system MCQs
-
Himalayan and Peninsular rivers MCQs
-
Major lakes of India GK questions
-
Indian dams and water resources MCQs
-
Drainage system of India MCQs
-
UPSC geography rivers prelims questions
-
SSC Indian geography MCQs
-
CBSE geography rivers and lakes GK
⭐
The Indian Rivers, Lakes & Water Resources MCQs offer a systematic, concept-clearing, and exam-focused coverage of India’s drainage systems, major rivers, important lakes, multipurpose river projects, and water resource management. Designed strictly as per India-specific geography syllabi, these MCQs strengthen core fundamentals, map-based understanding, and prelims readiness, making them ideal for school, university, and competitive examinations across India.
❓ FAQ Section
Q1. Why are Indian rivers and water resources important for competitive exams?
They are high-weightage topics in Indian Geography and are frequently asked in UPSC, PSC, SSC, and other exams.
Q2. Which river systems are most important for exams?
The Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, and major Peninsular rivers like Godavari, Krishna, and Narmada are crucial.
Q3. Are questions on lakes and dams asked in UPSC Prelims?
Yes. Lakes, reservoirs, and multipurpose river valley projects are regularly asked in prelims.
Q4. Are these MCQs useful for school and board exams?
Absolutely. They are aligned with NCERT Geography and suitable for CBSE and State Board exams.
Q5. How should students prepare Indian river systems effectively?
Study NCERT maps, understand drainage patterns, and practise topic-wise MCQs with explanations.
🎯 Targeting Exams
These Indian Rivers, Lakes & Water Resources MCQs are specially designed for preparation of:
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UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims)
-
State Public Service Commission (PSC) Exams
-
SSC (CGL, CHSL, GD, MTS)
-
Banking Exams (IBPS, SBI, RBI)
-
Railway Recruitment Exams
-
Teaching Eligibility Tests (CTET, State TETs)
-
UG & PG Entrance Examinations
-
School & Board Exams (CBSE & State Boards)