Question 1

Which of the following is the longest tributary of the Ganges River by length?

Accepted Answer

The Yamuna River is the longest tributary of the Ganges, with a length of approximately 1,376 kilometers, originating from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Western Himalayas.

Question 2

The Brahmaputra River, one of Asia's largest rivers, originates from which location?

Accepted Answer

The Brahmaputra River originates from the Angsi Glacier in the Kailash Range of the Tibetan Plateau, at an elevation of approximately 5,150 meters.

Question 3

Which dam, constructed on the Narmada River, is the world's highest concrete gravity dam as of 2024?

Accepted Answer

Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River in Gujarat is the world's highest concrete gravity dam at 163.97 meters in height.

Question 4

The Godavari River, often called the 'Dakshin Ganga', originates from which mountain range?

Accepted Answer

The Godavari River originates from the Western Ghats (Sahyadri Range) in Maharashtra, specifically from the Trimbakeshwar region.

Question 5

The Bhakra Nangal Dam is constructed across which river?

Accepted Answer

The Bhakra Nangal Dam is constructed across the Sutlej River in Punjab. It is one of India's highest concrete dams and was completed in 1963. The dam serves multiple purposes including irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control.

Question 6

Which of the following dams is constructed across the Narmada River?

Accepted Answer

The Sardar Sarovar Dam is the largest dam constructed across the Narmada River. Located in Gujarat, it was completed in 2017 and is one of India's major multipurpose projects. The Narmada River flows westward through central India and is one of the longest rivers in the Indian peninsula.

Question 7

The Tehri Dam, one of India's highest dams, is constructed across which river?

Accepted Answer

The Tehri Dam is constructed across the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand. Completed in 2006, it stands 260 meters high and is one of the highest dams in the world. The Bhagirathi is one of the two main source streams of the Ganges River.

Question 8

The Hirakud Dam, one of the longest dams in India, is constructed across which river?

Accepted Answer

The Hirakud Dam is constructed across the Mahanadi River in Odisha. Completed in 1957, it is one of the longest dams in the world at 25.8 kilometers. The dam serves irrigation, hydroelectric power, and flood control purposes in the Mahanadi basin.

Question 9

The Mettur Dam is constructed across which river and is located in which state?

Accepted Answer

The Mettur Dam is constructed across the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu. Completed in 1934, it is one of the oldest dams in India and serves irrigation and hydroelectric power generation purposes. The dam is located in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu.

Question 10

The Hirakud Dam, one of India's longest dams, is constructed across which river?

Accepted Answer

The Hirakud Dam is constructed across the Mahanadi River in Odisha. Completed in 1957, it is one of the world's longest dams by length (approximately 26 km) and was the first major multipurpose dam built in independent India. It serves irrigation, hydroelectric power, and flood control purposes.

Question 11

The Mettur Dam is a major dam in South India constructed across which river?

Accepted Answer

The Mettur Dam is constructed across the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu. Completed in 1934, it is one of South India's oldest and most important dams. The dam is crucial for irrigation in Tamil Nadu and also generates hydroelectric power. It is located in Salem district.

Question 12

The Tehri Dam, India's highest dam, is constructed across which river?

Accepted Answer

The Tehri Dam is constructed across the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand. At 260.5 meters in height, it is the highest dam in India. Completed in 2006, it is a multipurpose dam serving irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and water supply purposes. The dam is located in the Garhwal Himalayas.

Question 13

The Sutlej River, a major tributary of the Indus, originates from the Rakas Lake in Tibet. Through which of the following states does the Sutlej River NOT flow before joining the Indus?

Accepted Answer

The Sutlej River originates in Tibet and flows through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab before joining the Indus in Pakistan. It does not flow through Uttarakhand. The river's course is confined to the northwestern Himalayan region. Therefore, answer is C.

Question 14

The Bhakra-Nangal Dam is constructed on the Sutlej River. Which of the following statements about this dam is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

The Bhakra-Nangal Dam is constructed on the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh and was completed in 1963. It is one of the highest gravity dams in the world at 226 meters. The dam was designed by Harvey Slocum Engineer and is a multi-purpose project. The INCORRECT statement is that it is located in Punjab; it is actually located in Himachal Pradesh. Therefore, answer is D.

Question 15

The Narmada River, one of India's major west-flowing rivers, originates in the Amarkantak Plateau and flows into the Arabian Sea. Which of the following states does the Narmada NOT flow through during its course?

Accepted Answer

The Narmada River originates in Madhya Pradesh (Amarkantak Plateau) and flows westward through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat before emptying into the Arabian Sea. It does not flow through Rajasthan. The river forms the boundary between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra for a significant portion of its course. Therefore, answer is C.

Question 16

The Bhakra-Nangal Dam, one of India's highest concrete dams, is constructed on which river and serves as a multipurpose project for irrigation, hydroelectric power, and flood control?

Accepted Answer

The Bhakra-Nangal Dam is constructed on the Sutlej River, a major tributary of the Indus River. The dam is located in Himachal Pradesh and is one of the highest concrete dams in the world at 226 meters. It serves the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan for irrigation and power generation. Therefore, answer is B.

Question 17

The Godavari River, India's second-longest river, originates in the Western Ghats and flows eastward across the Deccan Plateau. Which of the following is a major tributary of the Godavari that originates in the Satpura Range?

Accepted Answer

The Godavari River originates in the Trimbakeshwar hills of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and flows eastward for approximately 1,465 km before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The Wainganga River is a major tributary of the Godavari that originates in the Satpura Range. Other significant tributaries include the Penganga, Wardha, and Pranhita rivers. Therefore, answer is A.

Question 18

The Godavari River, often called the 'Dakshin Ganga' (Southern Ganga), is the second-longest river in India. Which of the following is the correct sequence of states through which the Godavari flows from its source to its mouth?

Accepted Answer

The Godavari River originates in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and flows through Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and finally empties into the Bay of Bengal. The correct sequence is Maharashtra → Telangana → Andhra Pradesh. Therefore, answer is B.

Question 19

The Indus Waters Treaty (1960) between India and Pakistan allocates the waters of the Indus River system. Under this treaty, which three eastern tributaries of the Indus are allocated to India for unrestricted use?

Accepted Answer

The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 is a landmark international agreement. The three eastern tributaries of the Indus—the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—are allocated to India for unrestricted use. The three western tributaries—the Indus (main stem), Jhelum, and Chenab—are allocated to Pakistan. This allocation is based on the geographic location of these tributaries relative to the India-Pakistan border. Therefore, answer is C.

Question 20

The Tehri Dam, constructed on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand, is India's highest dam by height. What is the primary purpose of this dam, and approximately how many states does it serve with irrigation and power?

Accepted Answer

The Tehri Dam, completed in 2006, is constructed on the Bhagirathi River (a tributary of the Ganga) in Uttarakhand. It stands 260.5 meters tall, making it India's highest dam. The dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation (2,400 MW capacity), irrigation, and water supply. It primarily serves Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. Therefore, answer is B.

NDA Dams & Rivers

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Key Points to Remember

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Dams & Rivers — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Dams & Rivers