SSC CPO Indian Rivers & Lakes

India has two major river systems - the Himalayan rivers (perennial, fed by glaciers and monsoons) and the Peninsular rivers (seasonal, monsoon-dependent). Rivers flow into either the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, or are landlocked

Himalayan Rivers: Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra - these are antecedent rivers (older than mountains) Peninsular Rivers: Narmada, Tapti, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri - these follow the slope of the land Direction Formula (TRICK): • West-flowing rivers: Narmada, Tapti, and all rivers in Western Ghats south of Goa • East-flowing rivers: All major Peninsular rivers except above two • Remember: 'NT West, Rest East' (Narmada-Tapti go West, rest go East)

'You Go Get Good Karma Soon' for Ganga tributaries (Yamuna, Gomti, Ghaghra, Gandak, Kosi, Son) 2

If lake name has 'tal' or 'sar' - likely in hills (Nainital). If 'kol' or 'vembanad' - likely coastal 3

Higher the source, longer the river generally flows Most Common Mistake (#1 Trap): Students confuse between 'longest river IN India' vs 'longest river OF India'. Ganga is longest river OF India (entirely within India - 2,525 km), but Indus is longer IN India if you count total length (3,180 km total, but most flows through Pakistan). Always read the question carefully - 'in' vs 'of' makes the difference

Freshwater: Dal, Nagin, Wular, Nainital, Bhimtal Saltwater: Sambhar, Pachpadra, Didwana Lagoons: Chilika, Pulicat, Vembanad River Joining Points (Sangam): Prayagraj - Ganga + Yamuna + Saraswati (Triveni Sangam) Devprayag - Alaknanda + Bhagirathi = Ganga Rudraprayag - Alaknanda + Mandakini Dam Connection Strategy: Major rivers have major dams - Ganga (Tehri), Narmada (Sardar Sarovar), Krishna (Nagarjuna Sagar). Link rivers with their biggest dams for easy recall.