Question 1

Lake Sambhar, the largest saltwater lake in India, is located in which state?

Accepted Answer

Lake Sambhar is located in Rajasthan and is India's largest saltwater (saline) lake. It covers an area of approximately 240 sq km and is situated near Jaipur. The lake is an important source of salt production and is designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. It is fed by several seasonal rivers including the Mendha River.

Question 2

Which of the following rivers is the longest tributary of the Ganges River?

Accepted Answer

The Yamuna River is the longest tributary of the Ganges, with a length of approximately 1,376 km. It originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Western Himalayas and joins the Ganges at Allahabad (Prayagraj). Therefore, answer is B.

Question 3

Lake Wular, the largest freshwater lake in India, is located in which state?

Accepted Answer

Lake Wular is located in Jammu and Kashmir (now Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir). It is the largest freshwater lake in India by surface area, covering approximately 189 square kilometers in the Kashmir Valley. Therefore, answer is C.

Question 4

The Brahmaputra River originates from which mountain range?

Accepted Answer

The Brahmaputra River originates from the Kailash Range (also called Kangri Karpo) in Tibet, at an elevation of approximately 5,150 meters. It flows through Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam before joining the Ganges in Bangladesh. Therefore, answer is A.

Question 5

Which river is known as the 'Sorrow of Bengal' due to its devastating floods?

Accepted Answer

The Damodar River is historically known as the 'Sorrow of Bengal' because of its severe and unpredictable flooding that caused extensive damage to the Bengal region. The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was established in 1948 to control these floods through a system of dams and reservoirs. Therefore, answer is D.

Question 6

The Narmada River flows into which water body?

Accepted Answer

The Narmada River flows into the Arabian Sea. It originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh and flows westward through a rift valley, covering a length of 1,312 km before emptying into the Arabian Sea near Bharuch in Gujarat. Therefore, answer is B.

Question 7

The Narmada River originates from which mountain range?

Accepted Answer

The Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in the Maikal Range (part of the Satpura Range) in Madhya Pradesh. It flows westward for approximately 1,312 km and is one of India's major peninsular rivers. The Narmada is considered sacred in Hindu tradition and flows into the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat.

Question 8

Which lake is the highest freshwater lake in India?

Accepted Answer

Pangong Tso (also spelled Pangong Lake) is the highest freshwater lake in India, located at an elevation of approximately 4,225 meters above sea level in the Ladakh region. However, if considering only entirely within Indian territory, Tso Moriri is the highest at 4,595 meters. For NDA purposes, Pangong Tso is the standard answer as it is the most well-known highest lake. The lake is 134 km long and is situated on the India-China border.

Question 9

The Indus River originates from which mountain range and at what approximate elevation?

Accepted Answer

The Indus River originates from the Kailash Range (also called Kailash Mountains) in the Tibetan Plateau at an elevation of approximately 4,164 meters above sea level. The source is located near Mount Kailash in Tibet. The Indus flows westward through Ladakh and then enters Pakistan, eventually flowing into the Arabian Sea. It is one of the longest rivers in Asia with a total length of approximately 3,180 km.

Question 10

The Brahmaputra River originates in the Chemayungdung glacier of the Kailash range and flows through multiple states before joining the Ganges. Which of the following statements about the Brahmaputra is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

The Brahmaputra originates in Tibet (Chemayungdung glacier in the Kailash range), enters India through Arunachal Pradesh, flows through Assam, and joins the Ganges in Bangladesh to form the world's largest delta (Sundarbans). The river is approximately 2,900 km long. Option C is incorrect because the Brahmaputra does NOT originate in the Himalayas proper—it originates in the Kailash range in Tibet, which is geographically and geologically distinct from the Himalayan range system. Therefore, answer is C.

Question 11

The Narmada River, one of India's major west-flowing rivers, originates in the Amarkantak plateau and flows through three states before emptying into the Arabian Sea. Which state does the Narmada NOT flow through?

Accepted Answer

The Narmada River originates in the Amarkantak plateau in Madhya Pradesh and flows through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat before emptying into the Arabian Sea near the Gulf of Cambay. The river forms the traditional boundary between North India and South India. Rajasthan is located to the northwest of the Narmada's course and the river does not flow through it. Therefore, answer is D.

Question 12

The Godavari River, India's second-longest river after the Ganges, originates in the Western Ghats and flows through multiple states. Which of the following is the correct sequence of states through which the Godavari flows from its origin to its mouth?

Accepted Answer

The Godavari River originates in the Western Ghats near Nashik in Maharashtra and flows eastward through Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The river is approximately 1,465 km long. The correct sequence is Maharashtra → Telangana → Andhra Pradesh → Odisha (with Chhattisgarh also receiving some flow in certain sections, but the primary course is through the four states listed). Option B correctly identifies this sequence. Therefore, answer is B.

Question 13

Lake Wular, located in Jammu and Kashmir, is India's largest freshwater lake by surface area. Which of the following statements about Lake Wular is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

Lake Wular is India's largest freshwater lake by surface area, located in the Kashmir Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. It covers an area of approximately 189 square kilometers (though this varies seasonally). The lake is fed by the Jhelum River and several tributaries. It is a shallow lake with an average depth of about 5.2 meters. The lake is ecologically significant as a wetland and is a Ramsar Wetland site. Option C is correct: Lake Wular is fed by the Jhelum River and is a Ramsar Wetland site. Therefore, answer is C.

Question 14

The Sutlej River, a major tributary of the Indus River system, originates in the Kailash range in Tibet and flows through multiple Indian states. Which of the following statements about the Sutlej River is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

The Sutlej River originates in the Kailash range in Tibet (near Lake Mansarovar) and flows through Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan before joining the Indus River in Pakistan. The river is approximately 1,550 km long, with about 1,050 km flowing through Indian territory. The Sutlej is a major source of irrigation and hydroelectric power in North India. Option D is incorrect because the Sutlej does NOT originate in the Himalayas proper—it originates in the Kailash range in Tibet, similar to the Brahmaputra and Indus. Therefore, answer is D.

Question 15

The Brahmaputra River, one of Asia's largest rivers, originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows through multiple countries before entering India. In which Indian state does the Brahmaputra enter from Tibet/China, and what is its approximate length within Indian territory?

Accepted Answer

The Brahmaputra enters India in Arunachal Pradesh after flowing through Tibet. Within Indian territory, the Brahmaputra flows for approximately 890 km before joining the Ganges in Bangladesh. It is the second-longest river in India after the Ganges (2,525 km) and is known for its massive discharge volume, making it one of the world's largest rivers by water volume.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about the Narmada River is correct? The Narmada is one of India's major west-flowing rivers and has significant hydroelectric and irrigation projects along its course.

Accepted Answer

The Narmada River is 1,312 km long and is one of India's major west-flowing rivers. It originates in the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh and flows westward through Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat before emptying into the Arabian Sea. The Narmada Valley has several major dams including the Sardar Sarovar Dam (one of the world's highest concrete gravity dams) and the Indira Sagar Dam. The river forms the boundary between Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat for a significant portion of its course.

Question 17

The Godavari River, often called the 'Dakshin Ganga' (Ganges of the South), is India's second-longest river. Which of the following correctly identifies its origin, length, and the state through which it flows for the longest distance?

Accepted Answer

The Godavari River originates in the Western Ghats near Nashik in Maharashtra and has a total length of 1,465 km, making it the second-longest river in India after the Ganges (2,525 km). The Godavari flows through Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. However, it flows through Andhra Pradesh for the longest distance (approximately 400+ km) before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The river has numerous tributaries including the Indravati, Manjira, and Pranhita.

Question 18

Lake Wular, located in Jammu and Kashmir, is India's largest freshwater lake by surface area. However, its water level and surface area have fluctuated significantly due to environmental factors. What is the primary reason for the historical decline in Wular Lake's water level and surface area?

Accepted Answer

Lake Wular, located in Kashmir Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, is India's largest freshwater lake with a maximum surface area of approximately 200 sq km (though it varies seasonally and has declined over decades). The primary reason for the historical decline in Wular Lake's water level and surface area is siltation—the accumulation of sediment brought by the Jhelum River and its tributaries. Excessive siltation has reduced the lake's depth and surface area from its historical maximum. Additionally, human activities such as encroachment, drainage for agriculture, and reduced water inflow have contributed to its decline. The lake's water level is also affected by the Jhelum River's flow, which is its main source of water.

Question 19

The Indus River, one of the world's major rivers, originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows through multiple countries. Within Indian territory, the Indus flows through which states, and approximately what percentage of the Indus basin lies within India?

Accepted Answer

The Indus River originates in the Tibetan Plateau (Kailash Range) and flows westward for 2,880 km. Within Indian territory, the Indus flows through Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir before entering Pakistan. Approximately 29% of the Indus basin (approximately 321,289 sq km out of 1.165 million sq km total) lies within India, while the majority lies in Pakistan and Tibet/China. The Indus Waters Treaty (1960) between India and Pakistan governs the sharing and use of Indus waters, making it one of the world's most successful international water-sharing agreements.

NDA Indian Rivers & Lakes

Indian Rivers & Lakes— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Indian Rivers & Lakes — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Indian Rivers & Lakes