UPPSC 2025

DAILY
CLASS NOTES
Indian Geography

Lecture – 05
Indian River System
 Indian River System
What is a River?
A river is a large, natural body of water that eventually drains into the sea, a lake, or another river through a channel.
Rivers are essential for various ecosystems and human activities, providing water, transportation, and fertile soil.
Characteristics of a River
❖ Upper Course: The river flows with high velocity, creating a V-shaped valley through vertical erosion.
Features include waterfalls and rapids.
❖ Middle Course: The flow is moderate, with both vertical and lateral erosion. It forms meanders and alluvial
fans.
❖ Lower Course: The river flows with low velocity, dominated by lateral erosion. It features wide channels,
and extensive floodplains, and forms oxbow lakes and deltas.
Importance of Rivers
Rivers are vital for several reasons:
❖ Water Supply: They provide fresh water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use.
❖ Transportation: Rivers are natural highways for transporting goods and people.
❖ Ecosystems: They support diverse ecosystems, including fish, birds, and other wildlife.
❖ Agriculture: River’s deposit fertile soil along their banks, supporting agriculture.
❖ Hydrological Cycle: Rivers are integral to the water cycle, carrying water from land to oceans, where it
evaporates and returns as precipitation.
Basic Terminology of Rivers
Understanding the various terms associated with rivers is essential for comprehending how these water bodies
function and interact with their surroundings.
Source of a River
❖ The source of a river is the origin point where the river begins its flow.
❖ This can be from a spring, a glacier, a lake, or even from rainfall accumulating in a particular area.
❖ For example, the Ganges River originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas.
Confluence
❖ The confluence is the point where two or more rivers meet. This merging can significantly increase the water
volume of the primary river.
❖ An example is the confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers at Devprayag, which form the Ganges
River.
Tributary
❖ A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one.
❖ Tributaries contribute additional water, sediment, and nutrients to the main river. For instance, the Yamuna
River is a significant tributary of the Ganges.
Distributary
❖ A distributary is a branch of a river that flows away from the mainstream.
❖ Distributaries are commonly found in river deltas where the river meets a larger body of water, such as the
sea. The Hooghly River is a distributary of the Ganges.
Mouth of a River
The mouth of a river is the point where it flows into a larger body of water, such as a sea, ocean, or lake. This area
often forms a delta or estuary. For instance, the mouth of the Ganges River is in the Bay of Bengal.
River Basin, Catchment Area, and Watershed
❖ River Basin: The land area drained by a river and its tributaries. The Ganges River Basin is one of the largest
in India.
❖ Catchment Area: The specific area from which a river or stream collects water. It is synonymous with a
watershed.
❖ Watershed: The geographical boundary separating different river basins or catchment areas.
River Rejuvenation
River rejuvenation occurs when a river gains renewed energy and erosive power, often due to changes in the land
elevation or sea level. This can lead to the formation of new valleys and terraces.
River Regime and River Discharge
❖ River Regime: The pattern of flow variation in a river over time, influenced by climatic conditions, seasonal
changes, and human activities.
❖ River Discharge: The volume of water flowing through a river channel at any given time, usually measured
in cubic meters per second (m³/s).
Drainage Patterns
❖ Drainage patterns refer to the design of a river and its tributaries form from its source to its mouth. They are
influenced by geological periods, rock structures, topography, slope, water volume, and flow periodicity.
Common drainage patterns include:
❖ Dendritic: Tree-like pattern, typical in regions with uniform
material.
❖ Trellis: A trellis drainage pattern is a system of streams in
which nearly parallel main tributaries alternate with short
streams in a pattern that resembles a garden trellis.
❖ Rectangular: Characterized by right-angle bends, typically
in regions with jointed rock.
❖ Radial: Streams radiate outward from a central point, usually
a volcano or dome.
❖ Parallel: Streams run parallel to each other, often on steep
slopes.
❖ Centripetal: Streams flow from all sides into a low-lying
basin or depression, forming a central point of convergence.
Drainage System
❖ A drainage system is a network of rivers and streams that drain an area of water.
❖ It plays a crucial role in channeling water from the land to larger water bodies like seas, oceans, and lakes.
❖ A well-defined drainage system ensures effective management of water resources, controls floods, and
supports agriculture and other human activities.
Drainage System in India
India has several major rivers that form extensive drainage systems:
Major Rivers of India

River Source Mouth Length (km)

Ganges Gangotri Glacier Bay of Bengal 2,525

Yamuna Yamunotri Glacier Confluence with the Ganges 1,376

Brahmaputra Angsi Glacier, Tibet Bay of Bengal 2,900

Indus Tibetan Plateau Arabian Sea 2,880

Godavari Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra Bay of Bengal 1,465

Indian River System

The river systems in India can be broadly classified into two
categories: the Himalayan Rivers and the Peninsular Rivers.
Himalayan Rivers
❖ These rivers originate from the Himalayan mountains
and are characterized by their long courses, perennial
flow (due to melting snow and glaciers), and significant
water volume.
Antecedent Rivers (Older than the Himalayas):
❖ The rivers which were flowing at that place before the
rise of the Himalayas and due to the rise of the Himalayas those rivers have changed their direction towards
south by cutting deep ravines and gorges, are called antecedent rivers.
❖ Example: Indus, Satluj
Non-antecedent Rivers (Younger than the Himalayas):
❖ These rivers have formed after the Himalayas were uplifted.
❖ Example: Jhelum River
Peninsular Rivers
❖ These rivers are primarily rain-fed and have a more limited flow during dry seasons compared to the perennial
Himalayan rivers.
❖ They originate in the Peninsular Plateau. Peninsular rivers in India can be categorized based on their flow
direction: west-flowing and east-flowing rivers.
West Flowing Rivers: These rivers flow westward into the Arabian Sea.
Narmada River
❖ Originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh.
❖ Flows westwards through a rift valley and empties into the Arabian Sea.
Tapi River
❖ Originates from the Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh.
❖ Flows westwards and drains into the Arabian Sea.
East Flowing Rivers: These rivers flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal.
Godavari River
❖ Originates from the Trimbak Plateau in Maharashtra.
❖ Flows eastwards across the Deccan Plateau and empties into the Bay of Bengal.
Krishna River
❖ Originates near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra.
❖ Flows eastwards across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh before draining into the Bay of Bengal.
Himalayan Drainage System
❖ The Himalayan rivers are primarily fed by the melting of snow and precipitation, making them perennial.
Characteristics
❖ V-Shaped Valleys: In the mountainous regions,
these rivers carve out deep V-shaped valleys, with
rapids and waterfalls.
❖ Depositional Features: Upon entering the plains,
they form flat valleys, oxbow lakes, flood plains, and
deltas near the river mouth.
❖ Alluvial Fans: These are fan-shaped deposits of
sediments that occur where the river flows from a
steep mountain onto flatter plains.
The Indus River System
❖ The Indus River System is one of the largest and most significant river basins in the world.
❖ Known as the Sindhu in ancient Indian texts and the westernmost of the Himalayan rivers in India, it is crucial
for the region's ecology and civilization.
❖ The river originates from a glacier near Bokhar Chu in the Tibetan region, in the Kailash Mountain range.
❖ In Tibet, it is known as 'Singi Khamban' or Lion's mouth.
Origin and Course
❖ The Indus River originates from the Bokhar-Chu Glacier in Tibet and flows through the Leh district in the
Union Territory of Ladakh, India.
❖ It continues its journey through the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges, eventually entering Pakistan.
❖ Important tributaries such as the Sutlej, Ravi, Jhelum, Chenab (the largest tributary), and Beas contribute to
its flow.
Course in India
❖ The Indus flows through India only in the Leh district of Ladakh.
❖ After encircling the town of Leh and being joined by the Zaskar River, it receives contributions from the Suru
and Shyok rivers.
❖ The Gilgit River is its last tributary in India.
Major Right and Left Bank Tributaries in India:
❖ Right Bank: Shyok, Nubra, Gilgit, Kabul, Gomal, Hunza, Khurram, Shigo.
❖ Left Bank: Zaskar, Jhelum, Chenab, Sutlej, Ravi, Beas, Soan, Dras.
Course in Pakistan
❖ Key tributaries like Kurram, Tochi, Sohan, and Zhob-Gomal join the Indus here.
❖ The river then merges with Panjnad, the accumulated waters of its five eastern tributaries (Jhelum, Chenab,
Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej), near Mithankot.
Final Course and Delta: After forming a vast delta, the Indus River empties into the Arabian Sea south of Karachi.
This delta is crucial for the ecological health and agricultural productivity of the region.
Main Tributaries of the Indus River
The Indus River, one of the longest rivers in the world, has several significant tributaries that contribute to its flow.
Among these, the Chenab, Ravi, and Satluj are the main tributaries, each with unique characteristics and
contributions to the river system.
The Jhelum River:
❖ The Jhelum River known in ancient times as Vitasta originates from Verinag in the Pir Panjal Range.
❖ Verinag which is a beautiful spring in Jammu and Kashmir marks the beginning of this significant river which
holds historical and cultural importance.
Length and Flow:
❖ The Jhelum River spans a length of approx. 724 kilometers. Initially, it flows northwards until it reaches the
Wular Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia.
❖ After the lake, the river changes its course in a southwest direction, traversing the picturesque Kashmir
Valley.
❖ At Muzaffarabad, the Jhelum River meets the Kishanganga River, where it takes a sharp southward turn. This
hairpin turn is notable for changing the river's flow direction dramatically.
❖ Emerging at the Potwar Plateau near Mirpur, the Jhelum River continues its journey through the varied terrain
of the region.
❖ Ultimately, it merges with the Chenab River at Trimmu, marking the end of its long and vital course.
Chenab River
❖ Origin and Length: The Chenab River originates near the BaraLacha Pass in the Himalayas and has a length
of approximately 1,180 kilometers.
❖ Other Names: In ancient texts, the Chenab is referred to as Askini (Vedic name) and Chandra and the bhaga
in Himachal Pradesh.
Flow and Geography:
❖ The Chenab is formed by the confluence of two smaller streams, the Chandra and Bhaga, which flow on
opposite sides of the BaraLacha Pass.
❖ The river initially flows in a northwest direction, entering Jammu and Kashmir where it carves a deep gorge.
❖ After traversing Kashmir, the Chenab enters Pakistani Punjab, eventually joining the Jhelum and Ravi rivers
before merging with the Satluj to form the Panchnad.
❖ Projects on the River: Several important hydroelectric projects are situated on the Chenab, including the Salal,
Baglihar, and Dulhasti Projects.
Ravi River
❖ Origin and Length: The Ravi River originates in the Kullu Hills near the Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh
and extends for about 725 kilometers.
❖ Other Names: In Vedic literature, the Ravi is known as Purushini.
Flow and Geography
❖ The Ravi flows northwest initially, then turns southwest after crossing Chamba. It creates a deep gorge as it
leaves the Dhauladhar range.
❖ The river enters Punjab at Madhopur, flows through the state, and then enters Pakistan, 26 kilometers south
of Amritsar.
❖ Major cities like Lahore and the historical site of Harappa are situated on its banks. It meets the Chenab near
Rangpur in Pakistani Punjab.
❖ Projects on the River: Notable projects on the Ravi include the Ranjit Sagar Dam, Chamera, and Baira Siul.
Satluj River
❖ Origin and Length: The Satluj River originates from Rakas Lake near Mansarovar in Tibet and enters India
through the Shipki La Pass. It has a length of 1,050 kilometers within India.
❖ Other Names: In ancient texts, the Satluj is called Sutudri (Vedic name), and in Tibetan, it is known as
Langchen Khambab.
Flow and Geography
❖ After originating near Mansarovar, the Satluj flows through Tibet and enters India at Shipki La Pass, creating
a deep gorge.
❖ In Himachal Pradesh, it receives several tributaries, with the Spiti River being the most significant.
❖ The Satluj enters the Punjab plains at Naina Devi, where the Bhakra Dam is constructed.
❖ At Rupar, it turns westwards, meeting the Beas at Harike.
❖ Further downstream, it forms a boundary between India and Pakistan at Ferozepur and eventually merges with
the Chenab in Pakistan.
❖ The combined waters of these rivers are known as Panchnad, which joins the Indus at Mithankot.
❖ Projects on the River: Key projects on the Satluj include the Bhakra Dam and the Nathpa Jhakri
Hydroelectric Station.
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UPPSC 2025
Indian Geography DMP–04

Indian River System – Practice Questions

1. Discuss the characteristics and major river systems of the Himalayan rivers.
(12 Marks, 200 Words)
How to approach the question:
❖ Introduction: Start the answer by writing briefly about the Himalayan River system in 20 to 30 words.
❖ Main Body: Discuss the characteristics and major river systems of the Himalayan rivers in 130 to
140 words.
❖ Conclusion: Conclude the answer by highlighting the importance of Himalayan river system in 20
to 30 words.
Answer:
Introduction:
The Himalayan rivers are among the most significant river systems in the Indian subcontinent. The
Himalayan river system consists of rivers originating from the Himalayas, primarily fed by melting glaciers
and heavy rainfall, making them perennial. Major river systems include the Indus, Ganga, and
Brahmaputra, along with their extensive networks of tributaries. These rivers have immense significance,
contributing to the formation of fertile plains, supporting agriculture, and providing water for irrigation,
drinking, and hydropower across northern India.
Characteristics of Himalayan Rivers
❖ Perennial Nature: Due to their origin in glacier-fed regions, Himalayan rivers have a continuous water
supply throughout the year.
❖ Long River Courses: These rivers have extensive river courses, flowing over long distances through
diverse terrains.
❖ Erosional and Depositional Features: In the mountainous regions, they carve out V-shaped valleys
and create gorges and rapids. Upon reaching the plains, they exhibit depositional features like
floodplains, oxbow lakes, and deltas.
❖ Young and Active Rivers: Himalayan rivers are young, active, and prone to intense erosion due to the
steep gradients in the mountains.
❖ Meandering and Shifting: As these rivers enter the plains, they often exhibit meandering behavior and
may change their course due to sediment deposition and erosion.
Major River Systems of the Himalayas
The Himalayan River system can be classified into three main systems: Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra.
The Indus River System:
❖ Origin: Rises near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet.
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❖ Course: It flows through Ladakh, Pakistan, and

empties into the Arabian Sea near Karachi.
❖ Tributaries: The major tributaries of the Indus are:
➢ Jhelum
➢ Chenab
➢ Ravi
➢ Beas
➢ Sutlej
The Ganga River System:
❖ Origin: The Ganga originates as the Bhagirathi from
the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand, and merges
with the Alaknanda to form the Ganga.
❖ Course: It flows through the northern plains of
India, covering Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West
Bengal before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
❖ Tributaries: Some of the major tributaries include:
➢ Yamuna
➢ Ghaghara
➢ Gandak
➢ Kosi
➢ Son
The Brahmaputra River System:
❖ Origin: It originates from the
Chemayungdung Glacier in Tibet, where it
is known as the Tsangpo.
❖ Course: After flowing eastward in Tibet, it
enters India through Arunachal Pradesh and
flows through Assam and Bangladesh, where
it joins the Ganga to form the Meghna.
❖ Tributaries: The major tributaries include:
➢ Dibang
➢ Lohit
➢ Subansiri
➢ Manas
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Conclusion:
The Himalayan River system is the lifeline of northern India shaping the region's topography, economy,
and culture. Their perennial nature, vast catchment areas, and massive sediment load make them crucial to
agriculture and water resources, while their immense energy potential offers opportunities for hydropower
development. However, sustainable management is essential to tackle the challenges posed by flooding,
erosion, and environmental degradation.
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