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Geography & Environment · Indian Geography

Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River Projects: 153 previous year questions

UPSC has asked 153 questions on Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River Projects between 1996 and 2026: CSE 50 · CDS 40 · NDA 20 · CAPF 19 · CISF (LDCE) 14 · Geo-Scientist 6 · EPFO (APFC) 4. 112 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 50 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.

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Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.

CDS2025 · 1Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·2

Which of the following statements about the Indus Waters Treaty is/are correct ? 1. The term ‗Eastern Rivers‘ means the Sutlej, the Beas and the Ravi taken together. 2. The term ‗Western Rivers‘ means the Indus, the Jhelum and the Chenab taken together. Select the answer using the code given below :

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Under the Indus Waters Treaty, Eastern Rivers = Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Western Rivers = Indus, Jhelum, Chenab (both correct)
CDS2025 · 2Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·2

Which of the statements about the dams on the Chenab river is/are correct? 1. Salal dam, Aalal dam and Baglihar dams are on the Chenab river. 2. Baglihar dam has a greater height than Salal dam. 3. Salal dam is operated by Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation and Baglihar dam is operated by NHPC Limited. Select the answer using the code given below:

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Correct (key A): Salal and Baglihar are on the Chenab; Baglihar is taller than Salal | NOT: Salal is operated by NHPC, not the J&K Power Development Corporation
CDS2024 · 2Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·4

Consider the following statements regarding the rivers of India : 1. The Barak River, the head stream of the Meghna, rises in the hills of Meghalaya. 2. The Ghaggar River does not drain out to the sea and gets lost in the Rajasthan desert. 3. Puthimari and Manas are important tributaries of the Brahmaputra. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Correct: the Ghaggar does not reach the sea and is lost in the Rajasthan desert; Puthimari and Manas are Brahmaputra tributaries | NOT: the Barak rises in the Manipur hills, not Meghalaya
CISF (LDCE)2024Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·3

Consider the following statements about the Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA) 1. It is an alliance of global river cities led by the National Mission for Clean Ganga under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. 2. GRCA is a unique alliance covering more than 275 global river cities in 11 countries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Global River Cities Alliance: led by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (Jal Shakti), covers 275+ river cities in 11 countries (both correct)
CSE2024Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·6

Consider the following information : Waterfall Region River 1. Dhuandhar Malwa Narmada 2. Hundru Chota Nagpur Subarnarekha 3. Gersoppa Western Ghats Netravati In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched ?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Only one row correct: Hundru - Chota Nagpur - Subarnarekha | NOT: Dhuandhar (Narmada near Jabalpur, not Malwa); Gersoppa/Jog (Sharavati, not Netravati)
NDA2024 · 1Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·1

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. Select the answer using the code given below:

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Correct: the Tsangpo enters India as the Dihang; the Godavari has the second largest basin (about 10 percent of India) | NOT: Chambal and Betwa join the Yamuna, not the Ganga
NDA2024 · 2Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·2

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:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Correct: the Satluj rises in Tibet as Langchen Khambab and is a classic antecedent river | NOT: the Chenab, not the Jhelum, is the largest Indus tributary
NDA2024 · 2Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·4

Consider the following statements regarding River Brahmaputra: 1. It rises in Tibet, near Lake Mansarovar 2. It takes a ―U‖ turn near Namcha Barwa and enters India through a gorge Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)The Brahmaputra rises in Tibet near Lake Mansarovar and takes a U-turn near Namcha Barwa to enter India through a gorge (both correct)
CDS2023 · 1Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·7

Rani told her friends that last year she did boating in four‘ different lakes, namely, Loktak, Barapani, Kolleru and Pulicat. Which of the following States did she visit?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Loktak - Manipur; Barapani (Umiam) - Meghalaya; Kolleru - Andhra Pradesh; Pulicat - Tamil Nadu (Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border)
CISF (LDCE)2023Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·7

Consider the following statements : It was alleged that the river became dead after its mouth was closed restricting its free flow in 1950. The entire river bed was converted into a dumping ground for garbage and solid and liquid waste. The National Green Tribunal has recently directed the State Government to revive the dead river by earmarking dedicated fund for the purpose. Identify the river :

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Answer B (official UPSC key)The Sukapaika (a Mahanadi distributary in Odisha) is the dead river the NGT ordered revived
CSE2023Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·7

Consider the following statements: 1. Jhelum River passes through Wular Lake. 2. Krishna River directly feeds Kolleru Lake. 3. Meandering of Gandak River formed Kanwar Lake. How many of the statements given above are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Only one correct: the Jhelum passes through Wular Lake | NOT: Krishna does not directly feed Kolleru (between the Godavari and Krishna deltas); Kanwar Lake was formed by the Burhi Gandak
CDS2022 · 1Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·7

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists : List I (Lake) List II (State) A. Kaliveli 1. Sikkim B. Khajjiar 2. Kerala C. Khecheopalri 3. Himachal Pradesh D. Vembanad 4. Tamil Nadu

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Kaliveli - Tamil Nadu; Khajjiar - Himachal Pradesh; Khecheopalri - Sikkim; Vembanad - Kerala
CISF (LDCE)2022Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·5

Consider the following statements with respect to Polavaram Project often mentioned in the news : 1. It is being constructed on river Godavari. 2. It is meant to supply irrigation water to parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Chhattisgarh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Correct: Polavaram is on the Godavari | NOT: it is not meant to irrigate Telangana and Chhattisgarh (benefits Andhra Pradesh; backwaters reach Chhattisgarh and Odisha)
CSE2022Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·7

Consider the following pairs: Reservoirs States 1. Ghataprabha Telangana 2. Gandhi Sagar Madhya Pradesh 3. Indira Sagar Andhra Pradesh 4. Maithon Chhattisgarh How many pairs given above are not correctly matched?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Three pairs wrong: Ghataprabha (Karnataka, not Telangana), Indira Sagar (Madhya Pradesh, not Andhra Pradesh), Maithon (Jharkhand, not Chhattisgarh); only Gandhi Sagar - Madhya Pradesh is correct
NDA2022 · 2Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·1

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 Tamrapami is a river of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Two correct: Sharavati creates Jog Falls; Tamraparni is a river of Tirunelveli | NOT: Brahmani is formed by the Sankh and South Koel, not the Kosi
NDA2021 · 2Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·7

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists List I (Dam) List II (State) A. Hirakud 1. Gujarat B. Panchet 2. Bihar C. Kosi 3. Odisha D. Ukai 4. Jharkhand Code A B C D

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Hirakud - Odisha; Panchet - Jharkhand; Kosi - Bihar; Ukai - Gujarat
CAPF2020Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·5

Consider the following statements : 1. River Kaveri has well developed valley 2. Valley of River Alakananda is still growing 3. River Krishna is largest east flowing peninsular river Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Correct: the Kaveri has a well-developed valley; the Alakananda valley is still growing | NOT: the Godavari, not the Krishna, is the largest east-flowing peninsular river
CDS2018 · 2Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·7

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Major Dam) List-II (State) A. Cheruthoni Dam 1. Madhya Pradesh B. Indira Sagar Dam 2. Tamil Nadu C. Krishnarajasagar Dam 3. Karnataka D. Mettur Dam 4. Kerala

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Cheruthoni Dam - Kerala; Indira Sagar Dam - Madhya Pradesh; Krishnarajasagar Dam - Karnataka; Mettur Dam - Tamil Nadu
CAPF2017Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·7

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists : List I ((Hydro power (River) A. Maithon project 1. Chambal river B. Salal project 2. Bhagirathi river C. Rana Pratap Sagar project 3. Barakar river D. Tehri project 4. Chenab river

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Maithon - Barakar; Salal - Chenab; Rana Pratap Sagar - Chambal; Tehri - Bhagirathi
CDS2017 · 1Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·5

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of occurrences of rivers from Chennai to Kolkata when travelled by road (shortest distance)?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Chennai to Kolkata by road crosses: Penneru, Krishna, Godavari, Mahanadi, Subarnarekha
CDS2017 · 2Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·1

Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Himalayan rivers have their origin in the snow-covered areas, hence are dry in winter season. 2. Rivers of the Peninsular Plateau have reached maturity. 3. Himalayan rivers depict all the three stages of normal cycle of erosion. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Correct: Peninsular rivers have reached maturity; Himalayan rivers show all three stages of the normal cycle of erosion | NOT: Himalayan rivers are perennial, not dry in winter
CAPF2015Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·6

Which one among the following is the correct order of west flowing rivers in terms of decreasing size of their river basins ?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)West-flowing rivers by decreasing basin size: Narmada (98,796 sq km) - Tapi (65,145) - Mahi (34,842) - Sabarmati (21,674)
CDS2015 · 2Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·7

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Lake) List-II (Type) A. Ashtamudi Kayal 1. Residual (sweet water) B. Himayat Sagar 2. Lagoon C. Dal Lake 3. Glacial D. Tsomgo Lake 4. Artificial (sweet water) Code: A B C D

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Ashtamudi Kayal - Lagoon; Himayat Sagar - Artificial (sweet water); Dal Lake - Residual (sweet water); Tsomgo Lake - Glacial
CAPF2014Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·7

With reference to the various multipurpose projects in India, which one among the following statements is not correct ?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Not correct: Mayurakshi is a West Bengal project, not an Odisha-West Bengal joint venture; Machkund (Andhra Pradesh-Odisha), Parambikulam Aliyar (Kerala-Tamil Nadu), Chambal (Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan) are joint ventures
CSE2014Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·7

Consider the following pairs: Wetlands Confluence of rivers 1. Harike Wetlands Confluence of Beas and Satluj/Sutlej 2. Keoladeo Ghana National Park Confluence of Banas and Chambal 3. Kolleru Lake Confluence of Musi and Krishna Which of the above pairs is/ are correctly matched?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Correct pair: Harike Wetland - confluence of Beas and Sutlej | NOT: Keoladeo (Gambhir and Banganga), Kolleru (between the Godavari and Krishna deltas)
CSE2013Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·6

The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why? 1. It occupies a linear rift valley. 2. It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras. 3. The land slopes to the west from Central India. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

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Answer A (official UPSC key)The Narmada flows west because it occupies a linear rift valley (key A: only statement 1 accepted)
CSE2007Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·6

Assertion (A): River Kalindi is an east-flowing river in the southern part of India. Reason (R): The Deccan Plateau is higher along its western edge and gently slopes towards the Bay of Bengal in the east.

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Answer D (official UPSC key)A false, R true: there is no east-flowing Kalindi in southern India (the Kali/Kalinadi of Karnataka flows west); the Deccan Plateau is higher in the west and slopes east
CSE2005Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·6

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Not correct (key D): Narmada and Tapti valleys described as old rift valleys (notes: geologically young fault-trough valleys); Western Ghats are lower in the north, Anai Mudi is the highest peak, Tapi lies south of the Satpura
CSE2004Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·1

Assertion (A): West-flowing rivers of Peninsular India have no deltas. Reason (R): These rivers do not carry any alluvial sediments.

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Answer C (official UPSC key)A true, R false: west-flowing peninsular rivers form estuaries, not deltas, but they do carry alluvial sediment
CSE2004Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·3

Consider the following statements: 1. Damodar, Valley Corporation is the first multi-purpose river valley project of independent India 2. Damodar Valley Corporation includes thermal and gas power stations Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Correct: Damodar Valley Corporation (1948) is independent India's first multi-purpose river valley project | NOT: statement 2 on thermal and gas power stations (key A)
CSE2002Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·1

The correct sequence of the eastward flowing rivers of peninsular India from north to south is:

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Answer A (official UPSC key)East-flowing peninsular rivers, north to south: Subarnarekha, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Pennar, Cauvery, Vagai
EPFO (APFC)2002Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·5

Match List-I (City) with List-II (River passing through the city) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List-I (City) List-II (River passing through the city) A. Nasik 1. Krishna B. Surat 2. Cauvery C. Ujjain 3. Godawari D. Vijayawada 4. Shipra 5. Tapti

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Nasik - Godawari; Surat - Tapti; Ujjain - Shipra; Vijayawada - Krishna
CSE2000Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River ProjectsOn card GEO 12·1

Which one of the following statements is not true?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Not true: Ghaggar water is not used in the Indira Gandhi Canal (it starts at Harike Barrage); Narmada rises at Amarkantak, Nizam Sagar is on the Manjra, Penganga is a Godavari tributary

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