Indian Rivers and Dams PYQs with Explanations

Previous Questions SeriesIndian GeographyUpdated July 2026

Indian Rivers and Dams PYQs with Explanations

Concept revision + 10 clickable questions + detailed explanations

10Questions
4 OptionsEach question
ExplanationFor every answer
OfficialPaper repositories linked
How this page is prepared

This lesson converts recurring previous-paper concepts into an exam-ready revision set. Question wording is independently rewritten for clarity; explanations are original; and official APPSC, UPSC, SSC and RRB repositories are linked for verification.

Topic Focus

River origins, tributaries, flow direction and major multipurpose projects.

Accuracy rule: An exact exam name or year is not attached unless it can be verified from a primary paper or official key. Questions marked “PYQ-based concept” reflect recurring tested ideas, not a claim of verbatim reproduction.

Rapid Answer Map

No.Question focusCorrect answer
1The Bhagirathi, a headstream of the Ganga, rises from:Gangotri Glacier region
2The Yamuna originates from:Yamunotri Glacier
3The Godavari originates near:Trimbakeshwar
4The Krishna River originates near:Mahabaleshwar
5Which major peninsular river flows west through a rift valley?Narmada
6Hirakud Dam is built across the:Mahanadi
7Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is built on the:Krishna
8Sardar Sarovar Project is on the:Narmada
9Tehri Dam is built on the:Bhagirathi
10The Tungabhadra is a tributary of the:Krishna
Revision method: Answer first without opening the explanation. Then read the related fact and write one additional fact in your notebook. Repeat the test after 48 hours.

10 Clickable MCQs

PYQ-based concept

The Bhagirathi, a headstream of the Ganga, rises from:

Answer: B) Gangotri Glacier region
The Bhagirathi originates near the Gangotri glacier region and meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag.
Related fact: The combined river is then called the Ganga.
PYQ-based concept

The Yamuna originates from:

Answer: A) Yamunotri Glacier
The Yamuna rises from the Yamunotri glacier region in Uttarakhand.
Related fact: It joins the Ganga at Prayagraj.
PYQ-based concept

The Godavari originates near:

Answer: B) Trimbakeshwar
The Godavari rises near Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra.
Related fact: It is often called the Dakshin Ganga.
PYQ-based concept

The Krishna River originates near:

Answer: A) Mahabaleshwar
The Krishna rises near Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats.
Related fact: Major tributaries include Bhima and Tungabhadra.
PYQ-based concept

Which major peninsular river flows west through a rift valley?

Answer: C) Narmada
The Narmada flows west between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges.
Related fact: It empties into the Arabian Sea.
PYQ-based concept

Hirakud Dam is built across the:

Answer: B) Mahanadi
Hirakud Dam is on the Mahanadi in Odisha.
Related fact: It is a major multipurpose river-valley project.
PYQ-based concept

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is built on the:

Answer: A) Krishna
Nagarjuna Sagar is on the Krishna River.
Related fact: It serves irrigation and power purposes in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
PYQ-based concept

Sardar Sarovar Project is on the:

Answer: B) Narmada
Sardar Sarovar is a major multipurpose project on the Narmada.
Related fact: It benefits several western Indian States.
PYQ-based concept

Tehri Dam is built on the:

Answer: B) Bhagirathi
Tehri Dam is on the Bhagirathi in Uttarakhand.
Related fact: It supports hydropower, irrigation and water supply.
PYQ-based concept

The Tungabhadra is a tributary of the:

Answer: B) Krishna
Tungabhadra joins the Krishna River.
Related fact: It is formed by the Tunga and Bhadra rivers.

Common Exam Traps

Trap 1: Read the Article, date, unit or institution carefully; nearby facts are common distractors.
Trap 2: Distinguish a legal provision from a policy objective or historical background.
Trap 3: Do not assume familiar wording is the exact constitutional or scientific wording.
Trap 4: Use elimination only after checking the core concept and time context.

Quick Revision Checklist

  • 1. Gangotri Glacier region — The combined river is then called the Ganga.
  • 2. Yamunotri Glacier — It joins the Ganga at Prayagraj.
  • 3. Trimbakeshwar — It is often called the Dakshin Ganga.
  • 4. Mahabaleshwar — Major tributaries include Bhima and Tungabhadra.
  • 5. Narmada — It empties into the Arabian Sea.
  • 6. Mahanadi — It is a major multipurpose river-valley project.
  • 7. Krishna — It serves irrigation and power purposes in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
  • 8. Narmada — It benefits several western Indian States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these questions copied from coaching websites?

No. Questions are independently rewritten from recurring concepts in official paper repositories and standard sources.

Why is an exact exam year not shown beside every question?

An exam and year are shown only when the source can be checked reliably. This prevents incorrect PYQ attribution.

How should I use this page?

Attempt all questions once, study explanations, revise the answer map, and reattempt after two days.

Prepared by Learn With Mahesh

Original, exam-oriented explanations for APPSC, TSPSC, UPSC, SSC, Railway, Banking and Police examinations.

Fact-checked: 21 July 2026.

Official Paper Sources

Study and Accuracy Note: Examination patterns and syllabi can change. Always compare this page with the latest official notification and syllabus.

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