Drainage System of India – NDA Geography PYQs

NDA 2024-II

Q. 1. Consider the following facts of the rivers of the Indus system:

1. The Satluj originates in Tibet where it is known as Langchen Khambab.

2. The Satluj is a classic example of an antecedent river.

3. The Jhelum is the largest tributary of the Indus System.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 2

(d) 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 2

Explanation: Statement 1 (Satluj originates in Tibet as Langchen Khambab):  Correct. The Satluj originates from the Rakshastal lake near Mount Kailash in Tibet, where it is called Langchen Khambab. It enters India through Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh. Statement 2 (Satluj is antecedent):  Correct. The Satluj pre-dates the Himalayas. As the mountains rose, the river maintained its original course by cutting deeper into the rising land. This is the definition of an antecedent river. Statement 3 (Jhelum is largest tributary of Indus):  Incorrect. The Chenab is the largest tributary of the Indus system, not the Jhelum. The Jhelum is a tributary of the Chenab. Concept Tested: Facts about the Indus River system:  Satluj’s Tibetan origin, antecedent nature, and Jhelum vs. Chenab

★ JOVIK Exam Insight The Indus system is tested repeatedly in NDA. Key facts: the Satluj (Langchen Khambab in Tibet) and the Brahmaputra (Tsangpo in Tibet) and the Indus (Singi Khamban in Tibet) all originate in Tibet. All three are antecedent rivers:  they existed before the Himalayas rose. The Chenab is the largest tributary of the Indus, not the Jhelum.

NDA 2024-I

Q. 2. Which of the following statements regarding the given rivers is/are correct?

1. Tsangpo crosses over into India under the name of Dihang.

2. Godavari has the second largest river basin covering about 10 percent of the area of India.

3. Rivers Chambal and Betwa are the important tributaries of river Ganga which join river Ganga directly in Uttar Pradesh.

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

Explanation: Statement 1 (Tsangpo → Dihang):  Correct. The Brahmaputra is known as Tsangpo in Tibet. When it crosses into Arunachal Pradesh (India), it is called Dihang before it becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam. Statement 2 (Godavari:  second largest basin, ~10%):  Correct. The Ganga has the largest drainage basin in India. Godavari (also called “the Dakshin Ganga”) has the second largest, covering approximately 10% of India’s total area. Statement 3 (Chambal and Betwa join Ganga directly in UP):  Incorrect. Chambal and Betwa are tributaries of the Yamuna, not the Ganga. They join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh (Chambal near Etawah; Betwa near Hamirpur). The Yamuna then joins the Ganga at Prayagraj. Concept Tested: River facts:  Tsangpo/Dihang/Brahmaputra, Godavari basin size, Chambal/Betwa joining Yamuna not Ganga

★ JOVIK Exam Insight A very common NDA trap: students say Chambal and Betwa are tributaries of the Ganga. They are tributaries of the Yamuna, which is itself the largest tributary of the Ganga. The Yamuna joins the Ganga at Prayagraj (the Triveni Sangam). Also remember: Tsangpo (Tibet) = Dihang (Arunachal Pradesh) = Brahmaputra (Assam). This three-name chain is tested frequently.

NDA 2023-II

Q. 3. In which one of the following states is ‘Roopkund’ lake located?

(a) Kerala

(b) Manipur

(c) Himachal Pradesh

(d) Uttarakhand

Answer: (d) Uttarakhand

Explanation: Roopkund Lake is a glacial lake in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, in the Himalayas. It lies at an altitude of approximately 5,029 metres. Roopkund is famous for the hundreds of human skeletal remains found at its shores:  earning it the name “Skeleton Lake”. Research has traced the remains to multiple groups from different centuries. It should not be confused with Loktak (Manipur) or other notable lakes in other states. Concept Tested: Location of Roopkund Lake in Uttarakhand:  glacial high-altitude lake

NDA 2022-II

Q. 4. Consider the following statements:

1. The Sharavati river creates Jog Falls.

2. The Brahmani river is formed by the confluence of the Kosi and Sankh rivers.

3. The Tamraparni is a river of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1

(b) 2

(c) 3

(d) None

Answer: (b) 2

Explanation: Statement 1 (Sharavati → Jog Falls):  Correct. Jog Falls (Gersoppa Falls) in Karnataka is formed by the Sharavati River. It is one of the highest plunge waterfalls in India. Statement 2 (Brahmani = Kosi + Sankh):  The Brahmani River is formed by the confluence of the Koel (also spelled Kol/Koel) and Sankh rivers in Jharkhand, not the Kosi. The word “Kosi” in the source may be a source-document error for “Koel”. Students should verify this against the official NDA 2022-II answer key. Statement 3 (Tamraparni in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu):  Correct. The Tamraparni is a river in Tamil Nadu originating in the Agasthiyarmalai hills (Western Ghats), flowing through Tirunelveli district. Two statements are correct (1 and 3), giving the answer (b) 2. Concept Tested: River facts:  Sharavati/Jog Falls, Brahmani formation, Tamraparni river in Tamil Nadu

NDA 2021-II

Q. 5. Which one of the following is a crater lake in India?

(a) Lonar Lake

(b) Sambhar Lake

(c) Chilika Lake

(d) Vembanad Lake

Answer: (a) Lonar Lake

Explanation: Lonar Lake in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, is formed in a meteor-impact crater. It is a saline-soda lake and one of only four hyper-velocity impact craters in basaltic rock in the world. Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan) is India’s largest salt lake:  not a crater lake. Chilika Lake (Odisha) is a coastal lagoon, not a crater lake. Vembanad Lake (Kerala) is a backwater lagoon along the western coast. Concept Tested: Lonar Lake as India’s only known meteor-impact crater lake

NDA 2019-II

Q. 6. Loktak lake is situated in the State of:

(a) Sikkim

(b) Manipur

(c) Odisha

(d) Mizoram

Answer: (b) Manipur

Explanation: Loktak Lake is in Manipur and is the largest freshwater lake in northeastern India. It is famous for its “phumdis”:  floating masses of soil, vegetation, and organic matter. The Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world, is located on the phumdis of Loktak Lake. Chilika (Odisha) and Wular (J&K) are other large freshwater bodies:  but Loktak is specifically in Manipur. Concept Tested: Location of Loktak Lake in Manipur and its ecological significance

★ JOVIK Exam Insight Lake-to-state matching is a recurring question type in NDA Geography. Key facts to remember: Loktak Lake → Manipur (floating phumdis), Chilika Lake → Odisha (largest coastal lagoon in India), Wular Lake → J&K (largest freshwater lake in India), Sambhar Lake → Rajasthan (largest saltwater lake in India), Lonar Lake → Maharashtra (crater lake).

NDA 2018-II

Q. 7. ‘Majuli’, the river island, is located in which one of the following rivers?

(a) Jamuna

(b) Padma

(c) Ganga

(d) Brahmaputra

Answer: (d) Brahmaputra

Explanation: Majuli is a large river island in the Brahmaputra River in Assam. It is one of the largest freshwater river islands in the world. Majuli is recognised as a cultural and ecological hub of Assam. It was granted district status in 2016. Jamuna and Padma are names for the Yamuna and Ganga respectively in Bangladesh:  they are not the rivers in which Majuli is located. Concept Tested: Majuli river island:  location in the Brahmaputra River in Assam

NDA 2016-I

Q. 8. The Amarkantak Hills is the source of which of the following rivers?

1. Narmada

2. Mahanadi

3. Tapti

4. Son

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2 and 4 only

Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation: Amarkantak is a highland in Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh. It is known as the “Tirtharaj” of rivers:  multiple rivers originate from it. Narmada (1):  originates from Amarkantak. Correct. Son (4):  also originates from Amarkantak. Correct. Mahanadi (2):  originates near Sihawa in Chhattisgarh, not Amarkantak. Incorrect. Tapti/Tapi (3):  originates at Multai in Betul district, MP, not Amarkantak. Standard sources do not list Tapti as originating from Amarkantak. The source answer records Narmada, Tapti, and Son as correct. Students should verify this against the official NDA 2016-I answer key, particularly regarding the Tapti. Concept Tested: Rivers originating from the Amarkantak Hills:  Narmada and Son (and source-recorded Tapti)

★ JOVIK Exam Insight Amarkantak is a classic NDA Geography fact. Remember: Narmada and Son both originate from Amarkantak. The Narmada flows westward into the Arabian Sea. The Son flows northeastward to join the Ganga. These two rivers flow in opposite directions from the same source:  a frequently tested point.

NDA 2014-I

Q. 9. Which one among the following lakes is situated on the west coast of India?

(a) Chilika

(b) Pulicat

(c) Ashtamudi

(d) Kolleru

Answer: (c) Ashtamudi

Explanation: Ashtamudi Lake is a backwater lake in Kollam district, Kerala. It lies on the southwestern (west) coast of India. Chilika Lake is in Odisha on the eastern coast:  it is India’s largest coastal lagoon. Pulicat Lake is on the eastern coast (Andhra Pradesh / Tamil Nadu border). Kolleru Lake is a freshwater lake in Andhra Pradesh, also on the eastern side. Concept Tested: Location of major Indian lakes:  west coast vs. east coast distinction

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