Drainage System MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Drainage System - Download Free PDF

Last updated on Jul 1, 2025

The physiographic division of India is extremely important for all Indian competitive exams, including SSC, UPSC, PSC, railway, and banking. The word 'drainage' refers to a region's river system. This type of question is asked by the drainage system statements base and matches the flowing, fill-in-the-blanks, largest area cover, which state cover, the origin of the river, the mouth of the river, etc. We must carefully study the question before deciding which of the available options best describes the drainage system question. Once we've narrowed down our choice, we must cross that option out. We should also point out that we always prefer to use quality reference materials, such as the first NCERT textbook and the second Majid Hussian, textbook Mahesh kumar Barnwal textbook, important newspapers the Hindu, Times of India, Dainik Jagran national edition, and give more and more test, and more revisions.

Latest Drainage System MCQ Objective Questions

Drainage System Question 1:

Which of the following river of India is NOT a tributary of Damodar River?

  1. Barakar
  2. Indrawati
  3. Jamunia
  4. Bhera
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Indrawati

Drainage System Question 1 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is Indrawati.

Important Points

  • Damodar River is one of the most important Rivers In Eastern India, flowing across the states of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
  • Earlier known as Sorrow of Bengal and Jharkhand, Damodar is one of the most contaminated rivers in India.
  • The tributaries and sub tributaries of the Damodar include Konar, Barakar, Haharo, Bokaro, Ghari, Jamunia, Khadia, Guaia and Bhera.
  • The biggest tributary of the Damodar River is the Barakar.

Additional Information

Indravati River

  • Indravati River is a tributary of the Godavari River.
  • Its starting point is found to be the Ghats of Dandakaranya range, in the Kalahandi district of the state of Odisha, The River follows a westerly path and enters Jagadalpur in the state of Chhattisgarh.
  • The river moves from here in a southern route, before eventually uniting with the Godavari at the borders of three states. They are the state of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. 

Drainage System Question 2:

Which of the following rivers does not meet in the Bay of Bengal?

  1. Tapti
  2. Baigai
  3. Mahanadi
  4. Godavari
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Tapti

Drainage System Question 2 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is Tapti.

Key Points

Tapti/Tapi River

  • The Tapti/Tapi west-flowing river is located in Madhya Pradesh.
  • It originates from the Multai reserve forest.
  • The river is flowing through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
  • Kakrapar Dam, Ukai Dam, Girna Dam are the major projects on this river.
  • The Suki, Gomai, the Arunavati, the Vaghur, the Amravati, the Purna, the Mona, and the Sipna are the major tributaries of the Tapti River.

The Tapti River (or Tapi) is a river in central India located to the south of the Narmada river which flows westwards before draining into the Arabian Sea.

Additional Information

  • The major east-flowing rivers are the Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Mahanadi, but Narmada and Tapti are major West flowing rivers.
  • Mahanadi, Godavari,  Baigai all are meet in the Bay of Bengal

Drainage System Question 3:

What is the length of the Ganga river in Uttar Pradesh?

  1. 1140 km
  2. 1240 km
  3. 1340 km
  4. 1450 km
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : 1450 km

Drainage System Question 3 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is 1450 km.

Key Points

  • The length of the Ganga river in Uttar Pradesh is 1450 km.
  • River Ganga enters in U.P. from Bijnor District. 
  • After passing through major districts Meerut, Hapur,  Aligarh, Kanpur Allahabad, Varanasi it goes to Bihar onwards.
  • Triveni Sangam is the confluence of the Ganges (Ganga), Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati River.
  • Triveni Sangam is located at Prayagraj.

Additional Information

  •  Ganga river:​​
    • Ganga River is the largest river in India.
    • It originates from the Himalaya Mountains at Gomukh, the terminus of the Gangotri Glacier. 
    • When the ice of this glacier melts, it forms the clear waters of the Bhagirathi River.
    • As the Bhagirathi River flows down the Himalayas, it joins the Alaknanda River, forming the Ganga River.
    • Tributaries of Ganga River: Ramganga, Gomti, Ghagra, koshi, son, tons.

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Drainage System Question 4:

In the ancient temple of Mahadev at Mahabaleshwar, the spout emerging from the mouth of a cow statue is the source of which river basin?

  1. Kaveri
  2. Krishna
  3. Godavari
  4. Narmada
  5. Tapti

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Krishna

Drainage System Question 4 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is Krishna.

Key Points

  • The Krishna River is the fourth-largest river in India after the Ganga, Godavari, and Brahmaputra.
  • It originates in the Western Ghats near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, at an elevation of approximately 1,300 meters (4,300 ft).
  • The river flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
  • The Krishna River basin is one of the major agricultural regions in India, supporting a wide range of crops such as rice, sugarcane, and cotton.

Additional Information

  • Mahadev Temple, Mahabaleshwar
    • The ancient Mahadev temple in Mahabaleshwar is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism.
    • The temple is famous for its spout from which the Krishna River is said to emerge, symbolically from the mouth of a cow statue called "Gomukh".
    • Mahabaleshwar, located in the Satara district of Maharashtra, is a popular hill station and pilgrimage site.
  • Krishna River
    • The Krishna River is one of the longest rivers in India, with a total length of about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles).
    • Several important tributaries join the Krishna River, including the Bhima, Tungabhadra, and Musi rivers.
    • The river basin is a critical water source for irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power generation.
    • There are several major dams built on the Krishna River, including the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Srisailam Dam, and Almatti Dam.
  • Significance of River Basins
    • A river basin is the land area drained by a river and its tributaries, playing a crucial role in the hydrological cycle.
    • River basins support diverse ecosystems and are vital for the sustenance of human populations, agriculture, and industry.
    • Management and conservation of river basins are essential for sustainable water resources and environmental health.
    • Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) is an approach that promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources.

Drainage System Question 5:

Which of the following river does not fall into the Arabian Sea?

  1. Tungabhadra 
  2. Narmada 
  3. Mandovi 
  4. Sabarmati 
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Tungabhadra 

Drainage System Question 5 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is Tungabhadra.Key PointsTungabhadra River:

  • The river Tungabhadra derives its name from the Tunga, and  the Bhadra, and confluence of the two streams at Koodli in Shimoga.
  • The Tungabhadra River does not flow into the Arabian Sea.
  • Tungabhadra River is a major tributary of Krishna River.
  • It's Major tributaries are the Bhadra, the Haridra, the Vedavati, the Tunga, the Varda and the Kumdavathi.

Additional InformationNarmada River:

  • The Narmada rises in the Amarkantak hills in Madhya Pradesh.
  • It flows towards the west in a rift valley formed due to faulting.
  • On its way to the sea, the Narmada creates many picturesque locations.
  • The ‘Marble rocks’, near Jabalpur, where the Narmada flows through a deep gorge, and the ‘Dhuadhar falls, where the river plunges over steep rocks, are some of the notable ones.
  • All tributaries of the Narmada are very short and most of these join the main stream at right angles.
  • The Narmada basin covers parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
  • The Narmada river conservation mission has been undertaken by the government of Madhya Pradesh by a scheme named Namami Devi Narmade.

Mandovi River:

  • The Mandovi river is also known as the Mahadayi in Karnataka.
  • This river is Goa's lifeline.
  • Mahadayi river rises in the Western Ghats, from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Khanapur taluk of Karnataka’s Belagavi district.
  • Flowing westward, it enters Goa from Sattari taluk of North Goa districts.
  • A number of streams join the flow of the river to form the Mandovi which is one of two major rivers that flow through Goa.
  • It joins the Arabian Sea at Panaji.

​Sabarmati River:

  • Sabarmati river originates from Aravalli Hills, Rajasthan and meets in Bay of Khambhat in Arabian sea.
  • This is one of the major west flowing river in India
  • Its length is 371 km. and total catchment area is 21,674 sq. km.
  • Sei, Siri and Dhamni are the right bank’s tributaries. 
  • Wakal, Harnav, Hathmati, Khari, Watrak are left bank’s tributaries.

 

india-rivers-map

Top Drainage System MCQ Objective Questions

The Koyna, Tungabhadra and Bhima rivers are the major tributaries of which of the following river?

  1. Tapti
  2. Ganga
  3. Godavari
  4. Krishna

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Krishna

Drainage System Question 6 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Krishna.

Key Points

River

Tributaries

Indus river

Himalayan Tributaries:

Zanskar, Dras, Gartang, Shyok, Shigar, Bunra, Gilgit, etc.

Important tributaries:

Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.

Ganga river

Ghaghara, Son, Gandak, Kosi, Gomti, Deonadi, Yamuna, etc. 

Yamuna river

Chambal, Betwa, and Ken.

Brahma Putra river

Subansiri, Kameng, Dhansiri, Manas, Dibang, Lohit, Teesta, etc.

Godavari river

Manjra, Penganga, Taliperu, Purna, Wardha, Indravati, Wainganga, Sabari, Pranahita, etc.

Krishna river

Koyna, Dudhganga, Panchganga, Malprabha, Ghatprabha, Bhima, Tungabhadra, Musi, etc.

Mahanadi

Seonath, Hasdo, Mand, Jonk, Tel, etc.

Narmada river

Hiran, Burhner, Banjar, Shar, Shakkar, Tawa, etc.

Tapti river

Purna, Betul, Arunavati, Ganjal , etc.

Cauvery river

Hemavati, Amrawati, Bhawani, Kabini, Lokpawni, and Shimsa.

F1 Vilas Teaching 14.12.2022 D11

The Trimbakeshwar is the origin of which of the following rivers?

  1. Mahanadi
  2. Tapti
  3. Ravi
  4. Godavari

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Godavari

Drainage System Question 7 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Godavari.

Key Points

  • The Godavari River rises from Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.
  • It is also known as the Dakshin Ganga.
  • It is the second-longest river in India.
  • Dams on the Godavari river are - Polavaram Dam (Andhra Pradesh), and Pochampad Dam (Telangana).
  • Tributaries of Godavari are Pranhita, Pravara, the Purna, the Manjra, and the Penganga.

Additional Information

Rivers Origin
Mahanadi Sihawa, Chattisgarh
Tapti Betul district, Madhya Pradesh
Ravi Bara Bhangal in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh

Which of the following rivers does not originate in India?

  1. Ganga
  2. Yamuna
  3. Brahmaputra
  4. Godavari

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Brahmaputra

Drainage System Question 8 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is the Brahmaputra.

  • The Brahmaputra originates in Tibet.

The Ganga

  • Origin: Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh (3,900 m) in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
  • Here, it is known as the Bhagirathi.
  • The river has a length of 2,525 km.
  • It is shared by Uttarakhand (110 km) and Uttar Pradesh(1,450 km), Bihar (445 km), and West Bengal (520 km).
  • The Ganga basin covers about 8.6 lakh sq. km area in India alone.
  • The Ganga river system is the largest in India. 
  • The Son is its major right-bank tributary.
  • The important left-bank tributaries are the Ramganga, the Gomati, the Ghaghara, the Gandak, the Kosi, and the Mahananda.
  • The river finally discharges itself into the Bay of Bengal near Sagar Island.

The Yamuna

  • Origin: Yamunotri glacier on the western slopes of the Banderpunch range (6,316 km).
  • It is the westernmost and the longest tributary of the Ganga. 
  • It joins the Ganga at Prayag (Allahabad).
  • It is joined by the Chambal, the Sind, the Betwa, and the Ken on its right bank.
  • It is joined by the Hindan, the Rind, the Sengar, the Varuna, etc. join it on its left bank.

The Brahmaputra

  • Origin: Chemayungdung glacier of the Kailash range near the Mansarovar lake in Tibet.
  • In Tibet, it is known as the Tsangpo, which means ‘the purifier.’
  • The Rango Tsangpo is the major right-bank tributary of this river in Tibet.
  • It enters India west of Sadiya town in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Flowing southwest, it receives its main left-bank tributaries, viz., Dibang or Sikang, and Lohit; thereafter, it is known as the Brahmaputra.
  • The Brahmaputra enters Bangladesh near Dhubri and flows southward.
  • In Bangladesh, the Tista joins it on its right bank from where the river is known as the Jamuna.
  • It finally merges with the river Padma, which falls in the Bay of Bengal.

The Godavari

  • Origin: Nasik district of Maharashtra.
  • The Godavari is the largest Peninsular river system.
  • It is also called the Dakshin Ganga.
  • It discharges its water into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Its tributaries run through the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
  • It is 1,465 km long with a catchment area spreading over 3.13 lakh sq. km.
  • The Penganga, the Indravati, the Pranhita, and the Manjra are its principal tributaries.

As the river enters the plain it twists and turns forming large bends known as ______.

  1. ox-bow
  2. levees
  3. floodplains
  4. meanders

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : meanders

Drainage System Question 9 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is meanders.

Key Points

  • Meandering River:
    • The formation of successive bends of reverse order may lead to the formation of a complete S curve called Meanders.
    • When consecutive curves of reverse order connected with short straight reaches called crossings are developed in a river reach, the river is stated to be a Meandering river.
  • The meandering of a river is due to the erodibility of the bed and banks of streams.
  • Causes
    • Extra turbulence is generated by excess river sediment during floods. When the silt charge is in excess of the quantity required for stability, the river starts building up its slope by depositing the silt on its bed.
    • The increase in bed slope tends to increase the width of the channel if the banks are not resistant. The banks are attacked by river water and in the process one bank is likely to be attacked slightly more than the other, causing a slight deviation in flow.
    • This slight deviation from the uniform axial flow helps in improving more and more flow towards one bank than towards the other.
    • This process continues causing one bank to be convex and another to be concave. Hence, increasing slope is also a reason for meandering.

Additional Information

  • Meander parameters:
  • Meander Length: It is the axial length of one mender, i.e. tangential distance between the corresponding points of the meander.
  • Meander Belt: It is the distance between the outer edges of clockwise and anticlockwise loops.
  • Meander Ratio: It is the ratio of the meander belt to the meander length.
  • Tortuosity: It is the ratio of length along the channel (actual length) to the direct axial length.
  • Crossings or cross-over: It is the shortest reach of the river, connecting two consecutive clockwise and anticlockwise loops.

F1 N.M Madhu 15.04.20 D 5

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The Sabarmati River originates from which Indian State?

  1. Uttar Pradesh
  2. Gujarat
  3. Bengal
  4. Rajasthan

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Rajasthan

Drainage System Question 10 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Rajasthan.

Key Points

  • Sabarmati river originates from the Aravalli hills in Kotdi tehsil of Udaipur district of Rajasthan.
  • Sabarmati river flows through Dungarpur, Pali, Sirohi, and falls in Bay of Khambhat through Sabarkantha district of Gujarat.
  • Gandhinagar (Capital of Gujarat) is situated on the bank of this river.
  • Tributaries of Sabarmati river are Wakal, Hathmati, Mazam, Wetrak, and Sei.
    • (i) Sei – Padrn village of Udaipur is its origin and joins Sabarmati in Gujarat.
    • (ii) Wakal – Gogunda hills in Udaipur  joins Sabarmati in Gujarat.
    • (iii) Wetrak – Joyri village in Dungarpur is its origin point and joins Sabarmati in Gujarat.

Which one of the following place is the confluence of the river Alakhnanda and the Bhagirathi?

  1. Dev Prayag
  2. Vishnu Prayag
  3. Rudra Prayag
  4. Karn Prayag

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Dev Prayag

Drainage System Question 11 Detailed Solution

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The Correct answer is Dev Prayag.

Important Points

  • Devaprayag is the place of confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda River. 
  • Vishnuprayag is the place of confluence of the Dhauliganga  and Alaknanda River. 
  • Rudraprayag is the place of confluence of the Mandakini and Alaknanda River. 
  • Karnaprayag is the place of confluence of the Pindar and Alaknanda River. 
  • Nandaprayag is the place of confluence of the Nandakini and the Alaknanda River. ​

Additional Information

  • Alaknanda river is one of the headstreams of the Ganga. 
  • It rises at the confluence and feet of the Satopanth and Bhagirath glaciers in Uttarkhand.
  • It meets the Bhagirathi River at Devprayag after which it is called as the Ganga.
  • Its main tributaries are the Mandakini, Nandakini, and Pindar rivers.
  • Bhagirathi river is one of the two most important headstreams of the Ganga which meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag to form the Ganga
  • It rises at the foot of Gangotri Glacier, at Gaumukh, at an elevation of 3892m at the base of Chaukhamba peak in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
    • Dhauliganga river originates from Vasudhara Tal, perhaps the largest glacial lake in Uttarakhand.
  • It is one of the important tributaries of Alaknanda, the other being the Nandakini, Pindar, Mandakini and Bhagirathi.
  • Dhauliganga is joined by the Rishiganga river at Raini.
  • At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda. Hereafter, it is known as the Ganga.
  • The Alaknanda has its source in the Satopanth glacier above Badrinath. 
  • The Alaknanda consists of the Dhauli and the Vishnu Ganga which meet at Joshimath or Vishnu Prayag. 
  • The other tributaries of Alaknanda such as the Pindar join it at Karna Prayag while Mandakini or Kali Ganga meets it at Rudra Prayag. 
  • The Ganga enters the plains at Haridwar. 

 

Screenshot 2023-11-24 165552

The largest river without delta is?

  1. Narmada
  2. Tapti
  3. Both of them
  4. None of them

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Narmada

Drainage System Question 12 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Narmada.

  • Narmada:
    • It also called the Reva and Narbada.
    • It is also known as the "Life Line of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat" for its huge contribution to the state of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
    • It froms Amarkantak Plateau in the Anuppur district.
    • It makes the traditional boundary between North India and South India and flows westwards over a length of 1,312 km before it drained through the Gulf of Khambhat into the Arabian Sea.
    • It flows westward along with the Tapti River and the Mahi River. 
    •  A rift valley has formed this river, and it does not form a delta along with Tapti, it mainly forms an estuary largest River Without Delta.
  • Tapti:
    • It is a river in central India.
    • The river flows between the Godavari and Narmada.
    • It flows westwards before draining into the Arabian Sea.
    •  The river has a length of 724 km.
    • It originates from the Multai village near Betul district in MP.

Additional Information

Which of the following river rises in the Indian Himalayan?

  1. Kosi
  2. Yamuna
  3. Gandak
  4. Ghaghra

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Yamuna

Drainage System Question 13 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is  Yamuna

Key Points 

  • The Yamuna is a river in India.
  • It is the largest tributary of the Ganges River.
  • It originates from a place called Yamunotri and joins the Ganges at Prayagraj.
  • It flows from North to South.
  • Notable among its major tributaries are Chambal, Sengar, Choti Indus, Betwa and Ken.
  • The major cities on the banks of Yamuna are Delhi and Agra.

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

  1. Vishnu Prayag
  2. Karan Prayag
  3. Rudra Prayag
  4. Deva Prayag

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Deva Prayag

Drainage System Question 14 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Option 4.

Key Points

  • The Ganga rises from the Gangotri glacier near Gomukh in the Uttarkashi district of the state of Uttarakhand.
  • Devprayag is the confluence of the two holy rivers, the Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda.
  • It is the first Prayag on the way to Badrinath. After this confluence, the river is known as the Ganges
  • Total length: 2,510 km.
  • The Five Prayags:
    • At Devaprayag, the Bhagirathi river and Alaknanda river meet.
    • At Rudraprayag, the Mandakini river and Alaknanda river meets.
    • At Nandaprayag, the Nandakini river and Alaknanda river meets.
    • At Karnaprayag, the Pindar river and Alaknanda river meets.
    • At Vishnuprayag, the Dhauliganga river and Alaknanda river meets.

main-qimg-158499c36dc1d080f2054d323d57848e-c

Majuli, is a river island, located on which of the following rivers?

  1. Brahmaputra
  2. Godavari
  3. Narmada
  4. Tapi

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Brahmaputra

Drainage System Question 15 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Brahmaputra.

Key Points

  • Majuli is a large river island situated in the middle of the Brahmaputra River in Assam.
    • Majuli is depicted as the largest river island in the world.
    • This island has been formed over a period of time due to the change of direction and area of the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries especially the Lohit river.
    • Majuli can also be called the 'cultural capital of Assam'.
    • Majuli is located in the northern part of the Jorhat district and is separated from the mainland by the Brahmaputra river.

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Additional Information

  • Brahmaputra River flows through Tibet, India and Bangladesh.
    • The Brahmaputra rises in the north of the Himalayas near Lake Mansarovar in the Purang district of Tibet, where it is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo.
    • Flowing in Tibet, this river enters the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.
    • Flowing in the valley of Assam, it is called the Brahmaputra, and then it is called Jamuna as soon as it enters Bangladesh.​
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