Geography · Chapter 6 of 29

Drainage System, River Cities, Waterfalls & Lakes: BPSC Prelims PYQs

46 previous-year questions on Drainage System, River Cities, Waterfalls & Lakes, asked 1994–2025. Each one opens to its answer and explanation.

1. 1. 67th BPSC Prelims 2022

   Ganga Plain has been described as a

   1. APediplane
   2. BPeniplane
   3. CGeosyncline
   4. DKarst plain
   5. ENone of the above / More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

2. 2. 39th BPSC Prelims 1994

   The depth of Gangetic alluvial soil below the land surface is about –

   1. A6000 meters
   2. B600 meters
   3. C800 meters
   4. D100 meters
   Answer and explanation →

3. 3. 71st BPSC Prelims 2025

   Which of the following is the place of confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi?

   1. AKarnaprayag
   2. BVishnuprayag
   3. CRudraprayag
   4. DDevprayag
   Answer and explanation →

4. 4. 60th–62nd BPSC Prelims 2016

   At which of the following towns the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi combine to form River Ganga?

   1. AHaridwar
   2. BRishikesh
   3. CRudraprayag
   4. DDevprayag
   5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

5. 5. 40th BPSC Prelims 1995

   The longest flowing river in India is-

   1. AMahanadi
   2. BGodavari
   3. CGanga
   4. DNarmada
   Answer and explanation →

6. 6. 65th BPSC Prelims 2019

   Among the following tributaries, which one is the part of the Ganga river basin?

   1. ASankh
   2. BNorth Koel
   3. CSouth Koel
   4. DBarakar
   5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

7. 7. BPSC TRE-1 (Aug 2023)

   Which of the following tributaries does not meet the Brahmaputra from the north direction?

   1. ASubansiri
   2. BBelsiri
   3. CManas
   4. DMore than one of the above
   5. ENone of the above
   Answer and explanation →

8. 8. 71st BPSC Prelims 2025

   Which is the largest river Island in the world?

   1. AMajuli Island
   2. BSrirangam Island
   3. CBhavani Island
   4. DAgatti Island
   Answer and explanation →

9. 9. 56th–59th BPSC Prelims 2014

   In India, ‘Yarlung Zangbo River’ is known as:

   1. AGanga
   2. BIndus
   3. CBrahmaputra
   4. DMahanadi
   Answer and explanation →

10. 10. 39th BPSC Prelims 1994

    Near Mansarovar lake in Tibet, there is the source of the river –

    1. ABrahmaputra
    2. BSutlej
    3. CIndus
    4. DAll the above
    Answer and explanation →

11. 11. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    Manas is the tributary of the river :

    1. AGodavari
    2. BMahanadi
    3. CKrishna
    4. DBrahmaputra
    Answer and explanation →

12. 12. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    The river which flows through a fault trough, is?

    1. ANarmada
    2. BBrahmaputra
    3. CGanga
    4. DKrishna
    Answer and explanation →

13. 13. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    Son, Narmada, and Mahanadi originate from –

    1. APalamu Hills
    2. BAmarkantak
    3. CEastern Ghats
    4. DAravali
    Answer and explanation →

14. 14. 43rd BPSC Prelims 1999

    Westward flowing rivers are – (i) Narmada (ii) Tapti (iii) Rapti Code :

    1. A(i) and (ii)
    2. B(ii) and (iii)
    3. C(i) and (iii)
    4. D(i), (ii) and (iii)
    Answer and explanation →

15. 15. 42nd BPSC Prelims 1997

    River Cauvery flows through –

    1. AGujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
    2. BKarnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
    3. CKarnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh
    4. DMadhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
    Answer and explanation →

16. 16. 60th–62nd BPSC Prelims 2016

    River Tel is a tributary of which of the following rivers?

    1. ABagmati
    2. BGhaghara
    3. CGandak
    4. DKamla
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

17. 17. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2022

    Which of the following rivers is not flowing eastward?

    1. AGangavalli
    2. BNarmada
    3. CGodavari
    4. DKrishna
    5. ENone of the above / More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

18. 18. BPSC Assistant 2019

    The Bhima River is a tributary of which of the following rivers?

    1. AKrishna
    2. BNarmada
    3. CDamodar
    4. DChambal
    Answer and explanation →

19. 19. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2009

    Which of the following is characteristic of the Peninsular River system in India? 1. Peninsular rivers receive water only from rainfall. 2. These rivers flow through young folded mountains and are still in their youth. 3. These rivers have small basins and catchment areas. Choose the correct answer using the code given below.

    1. A1 and 3
    2. B2 and 3
    3. COnly 2
    4. DOnly 1
    Answer and explanation →

20. 20. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2018

    Indravati-Sabari Rivers in Dandakaranya are the tributaries of

    1. AMahanadi River
    2. BGodavari River
    3. CKrishna River
    4. DDamodar River
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

21. 21. 70th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2024

    Where is Amarkantak, the origin of the Son River, located?

    1. ARajmahal Hills
    2. BMahadev Hills
    3. CMakalu Range
    4. DMaikal Range
    Answer and explanation →

22. 22. 71st BPSC Prelims 2025

    According to the Indus Waters Treaty, the three eastern rivers are allocated to India. Which of the following is not one of them?

    1. AJhelum
    2. BRavi
    3. CSutlej
    4. DMore than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

23. 23. 67th BPSC Prelims 2022

    Compare the Himalayan rivers with the Peninsular rivers based on the following comparison - 1. Most of the Himalayan rivers are perennial, whereas most of the Peninsular rivers are rain-fed. 2. The gradient of the Himalayan rivers is steeper than that of the Peninsular rivers. 3. The Peninsular rivers cause more erosion on their way in comparison to the Himalayan rivers. Choose the correct answer from the options given below.

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation →

24. 24. 66th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2020

    Chandra and Bhaga rivers flow through the region:

    1. ASpiti
    2. BLadakh
    3. CLahaul
    4. DKargil
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

25. 25. 56th–59th BPSC Prelims 2014

    Which of the following drainage systems fall into the Bay of Bengal?

    1. AGanga, Brahmaputra, and Godavari
    2. BMahanadi, Krishna, and Cauvery
    3. CLuni, Narmada, and Tapti
    4. DBoth (a) and (b)
    Answer and explanation →

26. 26. 67th BPSC Prelims 2022

    From which of the following do the Damodar, Koel, and Subarnarekha rivers originate?

    1. ADeccan Plateau
    2. BCentral Highland
    3. CChotanagpur Plateau
    4. DMeghalaya Plateau
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

27. 27. 39th BPSC Prelims 1994

    River Damodar emerges from –

    1. ATibet
    2. BChotanagpur
    3. CNear Nainital
    4. DWestern slope of Somesar hills
    Answer and explanation →

28. 28. 40th BPSC Prelims 1995

    Which of the following is a land-bounded river?

    1. ATapti
    2. BKrishna
    3. CLuni
    4. DNarmada
    Answer and explanation →

29. 29. 42nd BPSC Prelims 1997

    Cauvery water dispute is—

    1. AAndhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
    2. BAndhra Pradesh and Karnataka
    3. CKarnataka and Tamil Nadu
    4. DTamil Nadu and Puducherry
    Answer and explanation →

30. 30. BPSC BAO 2024

    The origin of the Luni River flowing in Rajasthan and Gujarat is

    1. ASambhar Lake
    2. BPushkar Valley
    3. CSahni Salt Marsh
    4. DNone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

31. 31. BPSC TRE-2 (Dec 2023)

    Which of the following rivers has the largest drainage (catchment) area?

    1. AKali River
    2. BPonnani
    3. CPeriyar
    4. DMore than one of the above
    5. ENone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

32. 32. BPSC TRE-1 (Aug 2023)

    Match List-I with List-II: List - I List - II A. Char 1. Punjab Plain B. Kankar 2. Delta C. Kayal 3. Bangar D. Mand 4. Coastal Plain

    1. AA - (1), B - (4), C - (2), D - (3)
    2. BA - (2), B - (3), C - (4), D - (1)
    3. CA - (3), B - (1), C - (4), D - (2)
    4. DMore than one of the above
    5. ENone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

33. 33. 69th BPSC Prelims 2023

    The river Subarnarekha originates near which of the following villages?

    1. AOrmanjhi
    2. BMandar
    3. CHehal
    4. DNagri
    Answer and explanation →

34. 34. BPSC TRE-3 (Jul 2024)

    Which river forms the border between India and Nepal?

    1. AKosi
    2. BKali
    3. CGandak
    4. DMore than one of the above
    5. ENone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

35. 35. 70th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2024

    Amid the distributaries of which river is situated Divi Island?

    1. AMahananda
    2. BVamsadhara
    3. CGodavari
    4. DKrishna
    Answer and explanation →

36. 36. 70th BPSC Prelims 2024

    Which one of the following rivers is different from the others?

    1. ATungabhadra
    2. BNarmada
    3. CPenganga
    4. DMahanadi
    Answer and explanation →

37. 37. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    The largest city located on the bank of the river Ganga is –

    1. AVaranasi
    2. BPatna
    3. CKanpur
    4. DAllahabad
    Answer and explanation →

38. 38. 53rd–55th BPSC Prelims 2011

    Which one of the following cities is not located on the bank of the river Ganga?

    1. AFatehpur
    2. BBhagalpur
    3. CUttarkashi
    4. DKanpur
    Answer and explanation →

39. 39. 66th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2020

    Pahalgam in Kashmir is located on the bank of the river:

    1. AShyok
    2. BJhelum
    3. CLidder
    4. DChenab
    5. ENone of the above / More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

40. 40. 45th BPSC Prelims 2001

    Jamshedpur is situated on the banks of which river?

    1. ADamodar
    2. BBrahmani
    3. CSubarnarekha
    4. DAjay
    Answer and explanation →

41. 41. 71st BPSC Prelims 2025

    'Loktak' is a

    1. ALake
    2. BValley
    3. CRiver
    4. DMountain series
    Answer and explanation →

42. 42. 45th BPSC Prelims 2001

    Asia’s largest waterfall ‘Hundru’ is near which place?

    1. ARanchi
    2. BHazaribagh
    3. CJamshedpur
    4. DBodh Gaya
    Answer and explanation →

43. 43. 39th BPSC Prelims 1994

    Hundru Falls is formed on –

    1. AIndrawati
    2. BKaveri
    3. CSubarnarekha
    4. DNone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

44. 44. BPSC TRE-1 (Aug 2023)

    Which of the following pairs of waterfalls and rivers is not correctly matched?

    1. AJog - Sharavati
    2. BKapildhara - Kaveri
    3. CDhuandhar - Godavari
    4. DMore than one of the above
    5. ENone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

45. 45. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    The Shivasamudram Falls are located on which river –

    1. ACauvery
    2. BKrishna
    3. CGodavari
    4. DMahanadi
    Answer and explanation →

46. 46. 67th BPSC Prelims 2022

    Which one of the following is a freshwater lake?

    1. AChilka
    2. BSambar
    3. CWular
    4. DLoktak
    5. ENone of the above / More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →