A river drains the water collected from a specific area, which is called its

‘catchment area’.

C
PS
An area drained by a river and its tributaries is called a drainage basin.

U
The boundary line separating one drainage basin from the other is known as the

F
O
watershed.

S
ET
The catchments of large rivers are called river basins while those of small rivulets

C
and rills are often referred to as watersheds.
FA
Which one of the following major river basins of India is the
shortest in length and smallest in terms of catchment
area?

C
PS
U
[CAPF 2018]

F
O
S
ET
(a) Cauvery
(b) Mahi C
FA
(c) Penner
(d) Sabarmati
 ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
INDUS RIVER SYSTEM

C
PS
U
F
O
S
ET
C
FA
FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
The Indus receives a number of Himalayan tributaries such as
the Shyok, the Gilgit, the Zaskar, the Hunza, the Nubra, the
Shigar, the Gasting and the Dras. It finally emerges out of the
hills near Attock where it receives the Kabul river on its right

C
PS
bank. The other important tributaries joining the right bank of

U
the Indus are the Khurram, the Tochi, the Gomal, the Viboa

F
and the Sangar. They all originate in the Sulaiman ranges. The

O
S
river flows southward and receives ‘Panjnad’ a little above

ET
Mithankot. The Panjnad is the name given to the five rivers of
C
Punjab, namely the Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and
FA
the Jhelum. It finally discharges into the Arabian Sea, east of
Karachi. The Indus flows in India only through Jammu and
Kashmir.
The Jhelum, an important tributary of the Indus, rises from
a spring at Verinag situated at the foot of the Pir Panjal in
the south-eastern part of the valley of Kashmir. It flows

C
PS
through Srinagar and the Wular lake before entering

U
Pakistan through a deep narrow gorge. It joins the Chenab

F
O
near Jhang in Pakistan.

S
ET
The Chenab is the largest tributary of the Indus. It is
C
formed by two streams, the Chandra and the Bhaga, which
FA
join at Tandi near Keylong in Himachal Pradesh. Hence, it
is also known as Chandrabhaga. The river flows for 1,180
km before entering into Pakistan.
The Ravi is another important tributary of the Indus. It rises
west of the Rohtang pass in the Kullu hills of Himachal
Pradesh and flows through the Chamba valley of the state.
Before entering Pakistan and joining the Chenab near Sarai

C
PS
Sidhu, it drains the area lying between the southeastern part

U
of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges.

F
O
S
The Beas is another important tributary of the Indus,

ET
C
originating from the Beas Kund near the Rohtang Pass at an
FA
elevation of 4,000 m above the mean sea level. The river
flows through the Kullu valley and forms gorges at Kati and
Largi in the Dhaoladhar range. It enters the Punjab plains
where it meets the Satluj near Harike.
The Satluj originates in the ‘Raksas tal’ near
Mansarovar at an altitude of 4,555 m in Tibet where it is
known as Langchen Khambab. It flows almost parallel to

C
PS
the Indus for about 400 km before entering India, and

U
comes out of a gorge at Rupar. It passes through the

F
O
Shipki La on the Himalayan ranges and enters the Punjab

S
ET
plains. It is an antecedent river. It is a very important
C
tributary as it feeds the canal system of the Bhakra Nangal
FA
project.
Which of the following rivers is not included in Panchnad ?

[UPPCS-J 2023]

C
PS
U
(a) Jhelum

F
O
(b) Indus

S
ET
(c) Sutlej
C
(d) Beas FA
 ans : b

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
In the end of its mountainous journey at Attock, the Indus
River is joined by which river from Afghanistan?

C
PS
[68th BPSC]

U
F
O
(A) Helmand River

S
ET
(B) Amu Darya
(C) Kabul River C
FA
(D) More than one of the above
(E) None of the above
 ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the
Lists

[CDS II 2012]

C
PS
List-II (Tributaries)

U
List-I (River)

F
O
A. Ganga 1. Chambal and Ken

S
B. Indus 2. Wainganga and Indravati

ET
C. Yamuna 3. Chenab and Sutlej

C
D. Godavari
FA4. Gomti and Kosi
 ans : b

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Observe the following statements:

[MPSC 2022]

C
PS
(a) Jhelum is a tributary of River Indus and flows through Lake Wular.

U
(b) Sutlej is a southern tributary of River Indus.

F
O
S
(1) Only statement (a) is correct

ET
(2) Only statement (b) is correct

C
(3) Statements (a) and (b) are correct
FA
(4) Statements (a) and (b) are incorrect
 ans : (3)

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
With reference to the Indus river system, of the following
four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins
the Indus direct. Among the following which one is such

C
PS
river that joins the Indus direct?

U
F
O
[CSE 2021]

S
ET
(a) Chenab C
FA
(b) Jhelum
(c) Ravi
(d) Sutlej
 ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following tributaries of Indus river emerges
from the Pir Panjal Range ?

C
PS
[OPSC 2021]

U
F
O
(a) Satluj

S
ET
(b) Ravi
(c) Chenab C
FA
(d) Jhelum
 ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below
the List

List-I (River) (Tributary 1)

A.Sutlej 1. Yamuna

C
PS
B.Kosi 2. Brahmaputra
C.Teesta 3. Ganga

U
D.Chambal 4. Indus

F
O
S
[CAPF 2021]

ET
C
ABCD FA
(a) 1 3 2 4
(b) 1 2 3 4
(c) 4 3 2 1
(d) 4 2 3 1
 ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
River Beas, flowing from Himachal and Punjab, joins the
river

C
PS
(NDA 1 2021)

U
F
O
A) Indus

S
ET
B) Sutlej
C) Chenab C
FA
D) Ravi
 Ans : b

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following tributaries of river Indus feeds
the canal system of Bakra Nangal project?

C
PS
(CDS 1 2021)

U
F
O
A) Sutlej

S
ET
B) Ravi
C) Beas C
FA
D) Chenab
 Ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Three important rivers of the Indian sub-continent have their
source near the Manasarovar Lake in the Great Himalayas.
Which among the following are the rivers?

C
PS
(CAPF 2014)

U
F
O
S
(A) Indus, Jhelum, Sutlej

ET
(B) Sutlej, Yamuna, Brahmaputra
C
FA
(C) Brahmaputra, Indus, Sutlej
(D) Sutlej, Jhelum, Yamuna
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
In India, Indus Dolphin, one of the world's rarest mammals,
is mainly found in which one of the following rivers?

C
PS
[CAPF 2018]

U
F
O
(a) Ganga

S
ET
(b) Cauvery
(c) Brahmaputra C
FA
(d) Beas
 Ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
The Ganga System

It rises in the Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh (3,900 m) in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Here, it is
known as the Bhagirathi. It cuts through the Central and the Lesser Himalayas in narrow gorges. 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

C
PS
Ganga which meet at Joshimath or Vishnu Prayag. The other tributaries of Alaknanda such as the Pindar
joins it at Karna Prayag while Mandakini or Kali Ganga meets it at Rudra Prayag. The Ganga enters the

U
plains at Haridwar. From here, it flows first to the south, then to the south-east and east before splitting

F
into two distributaries, namely the Bhagirathi and the Padma. The river has a length of 2,525 km. It is

O
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

S
ET
largest in India having a number of perennial and non-perennial rivers originating in the Himalayas in the
north and the Peninsula in the south, respectively. The Son is its major right bank tributary. The important

C
left bank tributaries are the Ramganga, the Gomati, the Ghaghara, the Gandak, the Kosi and the
FA
Mahananda. The river finally discharges itself into the Bay of Bengal near the Sagar Island.
FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
What will be the correct sequence of cities on the bank of
River Ganga if someone moves from east to west?

C
PS
[JKPSC - 2023]

U
F
O
(A) Patna, Allahabad, Varanasi, Kanpur

S
ET
(B) Varanasi, Patna, Allahabad, Kanpur
C
(C) Patna, Varanasi, Allahabad, Kanpur
FA
(D) Varanasi, Patna, Kanpur, Allahabad
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following states is part of the Ganga
Basin ?

C
PS
[UPSC CISF AC 2023]

U
F
O
(A) Himachal Pradesh

S
ET
(B) Sikkim
(C) Assam C
FA
(D) Odisha
 Ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following statement is correct ?

[UPPCS 2023]

C
PS
(1) Ram Ganga river joins the Ganga at Kannauj.
(2) River Betwa joins the Yamuna near Prayagraj.

U
F
O
Select the correct answer using the code given

S
ET
(a) Only 1

C
(b) Both 1 and 2 FA
(c) Only 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
 Ans : a

Ramganga river meets river ganga at kannauj district, and betwa river originates

C
PS
in the bhopal districk in madhya pradesh and it joins the yamuna river near
hamirpur

U
F
O
S
ET
C
FA
What will be the correct sequence of cities on the bank of
river Ganga if someone moves from west to east?

C
PS
[CDS I 2023]

U
F
O
(a) Prayagraj, Patna, Kanpur, Bhagalpur

S
ET
(b) Prayagraj, Kanpur, Patna, Bhagalpur
C
(c) Kanpur, Prayagraj, Bhagalpur, Patna
FA
(d) Kanpur, Prayagraj, Patna, Bhagalpur
 Ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Ganga water is being shared at Farakka with which one of
the following countries?

C
PS
[CAPF 2022]

U
F
O
(a) Nepal

S
ET
(b) Bhutan
(c) Bangladesh C
FA
(d) Myanmar
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following river(s) is/are correctly matched with its/their tributaries?

[HCS Pre 2021]

C
PS
A. Krishna: Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Malprabha

U
B. Ganga: Gomti, Kosi, Gandak

F
O
C. Yamuna: Ken, Betwa, Chambal

S
D. Cauvery: Kabini, Bhima, Hemavati

ET
C
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
FA
(A) A, B, C only
(B) A, B, D only
(C) B, C, D only
(D) A, C, D only
 Ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following are the right bank tributaries to
Ganga :

C
PS
[WBPSC 2022]

U
F
O
(A) Yamuna, Chambal and Son

S
ET
(B) Yamuna, Son and Damodar
C
(C) Yamuna, Gandak and Son
FA
(D) Yamuna, Chambal and Damodar
 Ans : b

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following is not a tributary of the river
Ganga?

C
PS
[CDS II 2016]

U
F
O
(a) Son

S
ET
(b) Mahananda

C
(c) Teesta FA
(d) Sharada
Ans : c

C
PS
Teesta river is a tributary of the Brahmaputra (known as Jamuna in

U
Bangladesh), flowing through India and Bangladesh.

F
O
S
It originates in the Himalayas near Chunthang, Sikkim and flows to the

ET
south through West Bengal before entering Bangladesh.

C
FA
Which river among the following does not join the Ganga
river from left ?

C
PS
[UKPCS Pre 2012]

U
F
O
(a) Gomati

S
ET
(b) Ghaghra
(c) Kosi C
FA
(d) Son
 Ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following rivers is NOT the part of Indian
Ganga river basin?

C
PS
[UPPCS 2021]

U
F
O
(a) Punpun river

S
ET
(b) Ajoy river
C
(c) Jalangi river FA
(d) Jonk river
 Ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
What is the correct sequence of tributaries of the River
Ganga from West to East?

C
PS
(EPFO 2015)

U
F
O
A) Yamuna, Ghaghara, Son, Gandak and Kosi

S
ET
B) Ghaghara, Yamuna, Gandak, Kosi and Son
C
C) Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, Son and Kosi
FA
D) Ghaghara, Yamuna, Kosi, Gandak and Son
 Ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Consider the following tributaries of river Ganga:

1. Gandak
2. Kosi

C
PS
3. Ghaghara
4. Gomti

U
F
O
(CDS 1 2018)

S
ET
Which one of the following is the correct order of these rivers from east to west:

C
FA
A) 3-4-1-2
B) 2-1-3-4
C) 2-3-1-4
D) 1-2-4-3
 Ans : b

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Match list 1 with list 2 and select the correct option using the codes given below :

List 1(river) List 2(tributary)

C
A. Godavari 1. Son

PS
B. Krishna 2. Chambal

U
C. Yamuna 3. Bhima

F
D. Ganga 4. Manjira

O
S
(CAPF 2011)

ET
C
FA
A) A4 B3 C2 D1
B) A4 B2 C3 D1
C) A1 B2 C3 D4
D) A1 B3 C2 D4
Which one of the following rivers joins the river Ganga
Directly ?

C
PS
[CDS 2020]

U
F
O
(a) Chambal

S
ET
(b) Son
(c) Betwa C
FA
(d) Ken
 Ans : b

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Assertion (A) : Ganga plain is the most densely populated part
of India.

C
Reason (R) : Ganga is the most harnessed river of India.

PS
U
[CSE 2000]

F
O
S
ET
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
C
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
FA
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
 Ans : b

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER SYSTEM

C
PS
U
F
O
S
ET
C
FA
In which of the following river the "Majuli river island"
situated ?

C
PS
[UPPCS-J 2023]

U
F
O
(a) Brahmaputra

S
ET
(b) Ganga
(c) Krishna C
FA
(d) Godavari
 ANS : A

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Arrange the following tributaries of river Brahmaputra from west to east:

[CDS II 2012]

C
1. Lohit

PS
2. Dibang

U
3. Subansiri

F
4. Tista

O
S
ET
Select the correct answer using the code given below :

C
(a) 4-3-2-1 FA
(b) 4-3-1-2
(c) 3-4-2-1
(d) 2-4-3-1
 ANS : A

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following is a tributary of the
Brahmaputra River?

C
PS
[CAPF 2022]

U
F
O
(a) Ghaggar

S
ET
(b) Mahi
(c) Kosi C
FA
(d) Manas
 Ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Consider the following tributaries of river Brahmaputra

[CDS I 2016]

C
1. Lohit

PS
2. Tista

U
3. Subansiri

F
4. Sankosh

O
S
ET
Arrange the above rivers from west to east:

C
(a) 2-4-3-1 FA
(b) 2-3-4-1
(c) 4-2-3-1
(d) 3-1-2-4
 Ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following is not a tributary of
Brahmaputra?

C
PS
[WBPSC 2020]

U
F
O
(A) Kameng

S
ET
(B) Kopoli
(C) Seonath C
FA
(D) Dhansiri
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following rivers is not a tributary of river
Brahmaputra?

C
PS
(NDA 1 2021)

U
F
O
A) River Manas

S
ET
B) River Kameng

C
C) River Mahananda FA
D) River Subansiri
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following rivers takes a 'U' turn at
Namcha Barwa and enters India?

C
PS
(CDS 2 2019)

U
F
O
A) Ganga

S
ET
B) Tista
C) Barak C
FA
D) Brahmaputra
 Ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following is/are tributary tributaries of Brahmaputra?

[CSE 2016]

C
PS
1. Dibang

U
2. Kameng

F
3. Lohit

O
S
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

ET
C
(a) 1 only FA
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
 Ans : d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
THE PENINSULAR DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Ncerts

C
PS
U
F
O
S
ET
C
FA
Compare the Himalayan river with the Peninsular river based on the following comparisons

[67th BPSC 2021]

1. Most of the Himalayan rivers are perennial, whereas most of the Peninsular rivers are rain

C
fed.

PS
2. The gradient of the Himalayan. river is steeper than the Peninsular river.

U
3. The Peninsular river causes more erosion on its way in comparison to the Himalayan

F
river.

O
S
Choose the correct answer from the options given below.

ET
(A) 1 and 2 only

C
(B) 2 and 3 only
FA
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
(E) None of the above/More than one of the above
 Ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which is the longest river in the Peninsular India ?

[UKPCS 2016]

C
PS
U
(a) Krishna

F
O
(b) Narmada

S
ET
(c) Godavari
(d) Mahanadi C
FA
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Himalayan rivers have their origin in the snow covered areas, hence are dry in
the winter season.

C
2. Rivers of the Peninsular Plateau have reached maturity.

PS
3. Himalayan rivers depict all the three stages of normal cycle of erosion.

U
F
(CDS 2 2017)

O
S
Select the correct answer using the codes given below

ET
C
A) 2 only FA
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
 Ans : c

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Consider the following statements:

1. River Kaveri has well developed valley

C
2. Valley of river Alaknanda is still growing

PS
3. River Krishna is largest east flowing peninsular river

U
F
O
(CAPF 2020)

S
ET
Select the correct answer using the codes given below

C
FA
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2
C) 2 and 3
D) 2 only
 Ans : b

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow
to the east. Why?

[CSE 2013]

C
PS
1. It occupies a linear rift valley.

U
2. It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras.

F
3. The land slopes to the west from Central India.

O
S
ET
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

C
(a) 1 only FA
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
 ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Assertion (A) : West-flowing rivers of Peninsular India have no deltas.

Reason (R) : These rivers do not carry any alluvial sediments.

C
PS
[CSE 2004]

U
F
(a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of

O
A

S
ET
(b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation
of A
C
FA
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
 Ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
The correct sequence of the eastward flowing rivers of the peninsular
India from north to south is :

C
[CSE 2002]

PS
U
(a) Subarnarekha, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Pennar, Cauvery

F
O
and Vagai

S
(b) Subarnarekha, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, Cauvery and Vagai

ET
(c) Mahanadi, Subarnarekha, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Pennar
C
FA
and Vagai
(d) Mahanadi, Subarnarekha, Krishna, Godavari, Cauvery, Vagai and
Pennar
 Ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
MAHANADI RIVER SYSTEM

C
PS
U
F
O
S
ET
C
FA
Which of the following river/rivers are exhibiting the
antecedent drainage pattern in Odisha?

C
PS
[OPSC - 2023]

U
F
O
(A) The Mahanadi and the Brahmani

S
ET
(B) The Brahmani and The Baitarini
C
(C) The Mahanadi and the Baitarini
FA
(D) The Baitarini and the Rushikulya
ANS : C
ANTECEDENT RIVER : Imagine a river that was there before the hills and

C
valleys around it formed. Even as the land changed, the river kept flowing

PS
in its old path, cutting through the new landscape. That river is an

U
"antecedent river." It's like the river was there first and didn't change when

F
everything else did.

O
S
Antecedent Rivers :

ET
C
Indus FA
Sutlej
Mahanadi
Baitarini (Odisha)
FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following rivers does not drain into Arabian
sea?

C
PS
[JPSC - 2024]

U
F
O
(A) Sabarmati

S
(B) Krishna

ET
(C) Tapi
C
FA
(D) Narmada
 ANS : B

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following rivers are correctly matched with their important tributaries?

[GPSC 2023]

C
PS
1. Yamuna – Betwa, Ken

U
2. Brahmaputra – Dibang, Lohit

F
3. Narmada – Purna, Siang

O
4. Krishna – Musli, Bhima

S
ET
C
(A) 3 and 4
FA
(B) 1, 2 and 4
(C) 2, 3 and 4
(D) None of the above
 ANS : B

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Amarkantak plateau in the Maikal hills marks the origin of
the river:

C
PS
[CDS II 2013]

U
F
O
(a) Gandak

S
ET
(b) Chambal

C
(c) Narmada FA
(d) Ghaggar
 ANS : C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one among the following States does not form part
of the Narmada basin ?

C
PS
[CDS II 2013]

U
F
O
(a) Madhya Pradesh

S
ET
(b) Gujarat
(c) Rajasthan C
FA
(d) Maharashtra
 ANS : C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following is/are westflowing river(s) of India?

[CDS I 2014]

C
PS
1. Mahanadi

U
2. Krishna

F
3. Narmada

O
4. Cauvery

S
ET
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
C
FA
A) 1, 2 and 4
B) 2 and 3
C) 3 only
D) 1 and 3
 ANS : C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following characteristic feature is appropriate
for Narmada river ?

C
PS
[JPSC 2021]

U
F
O
(A) Glacial origin

S
ET
(B) Volcanic origin
(C) Wind origin C
FA
(D) Structural origin
 ANS : D

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which is the longest river in the Peninsular India ?

[UKPCS 2016]

C
PS
U
(a) Krishna

F
O
(b) Narmada

S
ET
(c) Godavari
(d) Mahanadi C
FA
 ANS : C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following is a west flowing river?

[CDS 2 2018]

C
PS
U
A) Mahanadi

F
O
B) Godavari

S
ET
C) Krishna
D) Narmada C
FA
 ANS : D

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following rivers flows between Satpura
and Vindhya ranges?

C
PS
[CAPF 2016]

U
F
O
(а) Тарі

S
ET
(b) Sabarmati
(c) Narmada C
FA
(d) Mahi
 ANS : C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following statements is not correct ?

[CSE 2006]

C
PS
U
(a) Mahanadi River rises in Chhattisgarh

F
O
(b) Godavari River rises in Maharashtra

S
ET
(c) Cauvery River rises in Andhra Pradesh
C
(d) Tapti River rises in Madhya Pradesh
FA
 ANS : C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
The correct sequence of the eastward flowing rivers of the
peninsular India from north to south is :

C
PS
[CSE 2002]

U
F
O
(a) Subarnarekha, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Pennar,

S
Cauvery and Vagai (b) Subarnarekha, Mahanadi, Krishna,

ET
Godavari, Cauvery and Vagai
C
FA
(c) Mahanadi, Subarnarekha, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery,
Pennar and Vagai
(d) Mahanadi, Subarnarekha, Krishna, Godavari, Cauvery,
Vagai and Pennar
 ANS : A

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following east flowing rivers of India has
rift valley due to down warping?

C
PS
[CSE 1998]

U
F
O
(a) Damodar

S
ET
(b) Mahanadi
(c) Sone C
FA
(d) Yamuna
Which one of the following east flowing rivers of India has
rift valley due to down warping?

C
PS
[CSE 1998]

U
F
O
(a) Damodar

S
ET
(b) Mahanadi
(c) Sone C
FA
(d) Yamuna
 ANS : A

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
 NATURAL VEGETATION
Natural vegetation refers to a plant community that has been left

C
undisturbed over a long time, so as to allow its individual species to

PS
adjust themselves to climate and soil conditions as fully as possible

U
F
India is a land of great variety of natural vegetation. Himalayan heights

O
are marked with temperate vegetation; the Western Ghats and the

S
ET
Andaman Nicobar Islands have tropical rain forests, the deltaic regions
have tropical forests and mangroves; the desert and semi desert areas of
C
FA
Rajasthan are known for cactii, a wide variety of bushes and thorny
vegetation.
TYPES OF FORESTS
(i) Tropical Evergreen and Semi Evergreen forests

C
(ii) Tropical Deciduous forests

PS
U
(iii) Tropical Thorn forests

F
(iv) Montane forests

O
S
(v) Littoral and Swamp forests.

ET
C
FA
1) Tropical Evergreen Forest
Location- Western Slope of W. Ghats, NE Hilly regions, A&N islands

Weather- Warm and humid area

C
PS
Rainfall- 200 cm+

U
Temperature- 22°C+

F
O
Trees- 60 m+ height- No definite time to shade leaves

S
ET
Species- Rosewood Mahogany, Ebony

C
2) SEMI - EVERGREEN FORESTS
FA
Location- Less rainy areas (Mixture of Evergreen and moist deciduous)

Species- White Cedar, Hollock etc.

3) DECIDUOUS FORESTS
MOST WIDESPREAD FOREST IN INDIA
a.k.a Monsoon Forests

C
PS
Rainfall- 70-200 cm

U
i) Moist Deciduous Forests-

F
Location- NE States, Himalayas, Odisha, W Ghats

O
Species- Teak, Sal, Seesam, Mahua, Amla, Sandalwood etc.

S
ET
ii) Dry Deciduous-

C
Covers vast area FA
● Rainfall- 70-100 cms
● Region- UP + Bihar
● Species- Tendu, Khair, Bel.
● Trees shed their leaves in dry seasons
Montane Forests-
Found in Mountainous areas- high altitude

2 types-

● North Mountainous Forests

C
● South Mountainous Forests

PS
● Location- WB (Hilly areas), Uttarakhand.

U
F
O
Rainfall:
1000-1500 m: Species- Evergreen broad leaves- Oak and Chestnut

S
ET
1500-1750 m: Pine forests- Chir Pine

C
Deodar- ENDEMIC TO W. PART OF HIMALAYAS
FA
CHINAR AND WALNUT - Kashmir handicrafts
ii) South Mountainous forests-
W. ghats, Vindhayas, Nilgiris, Satpura and Maikal

C
Temperate forests- aka Sholas in Nilgiris, Anaimudi and

PS
Palni hills

U
F
Species- Mangolia, Laurel, Cinchona, Wattle

O
S
ET
5) Littoral and Swamp Forests
C
FA
- Wetlands -70% Paddy cultivation
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below
the lists:

[UPPSC 2019]

C
PS
List – I List – II

U
(Natural Vegetation) (Region)

F
O
(A) Ephiphytes 1. Mediterranean

S
2. Equatorial

ET
(B) Acacia
(C) Baobab 3. Sahara

C
4. Savanna
FA
(D) Cedars

A) A - 2, B - 3, C - 4, D - 1
B) A - 2, B - 3, C - 1, D - 4
C) A - 2, B - 4, C - 3, D - 1
D) A - 2, B - 4, C - 1, D - 3
 ANS : C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following statements concerning the
natural vegetation of India is not correct?

C
[CDS II 2016]

PS
U
F
(a) Sal is found in moist deciduous forests.

O
S
(b) Casuarina is largely found along the coastal region of

ET
Tamil Nadu.
C
FA
(c) Deodar is a coniferous species of tree.
(d) Shola forests are found mainly on the upper reaches
of Himalaya.
 ANS : D

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
The natural vegetation which covers the maximum
geographical areas of India is

C
PS
(NDA 1 2021)

U
F
O
A) Tropical deciduous forests

S
ET
B) Tropical thorn forests
C) Montane forests C
FA
D) Tropical evergreen forests
 ANS : A

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Consider the following trees :

1. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)

2. Mahua (Madhuca indica)

C
3. Teak (Tectona grandis)

PS
U
How many of the above are deciduous trees?

F
O
[UPSC CSE - 2023]

S
ET
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
C
FA
(c) All three
(d) None
 ANS : B

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following statements regarding Tropical Deciduous forests in India
is/are correct?

1. They are the most widespread forests in India.

C
2. They spread over regions which receive annual rainfall between 70-200 cm.

PS
U
Select the answer using the code given below :

F
O
[UPSC GSI - 2024]

S
ET
C
(A) 1 only FA
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
 ANS : C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following forests are found along the Western
side of the Western Ghats?

C
PS
[MPPSC - 2019]

U
F
O
(A) Tropical evergreen forests

S
ET
(B) Tropical moist deciduous forests
C
(C) Tropical semi-evergreen forests
FA
(D) Dry tropical forests
 ANS : A

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
The greatest variety (diversity) of animal and plant species
can be found in :

C
PS
[APPSC Gr-1 2023]

U
F
O
(1) Tropical Moist Forests

S
ET
(2) Temperate Deciduous Forests
(3) Taiga Region C
FA
(4) Deserts and Savannas
 Ans : 1

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which types of vegetation will you find on the way as you
travel from Bikaner to Konark by road by shortest
distance?

C
PS
U
[CDS II 2022]

F
O
S
ET
A) Tropical thorny, Desert, Moist deciduous, Mangrove
B) C
Moist Deciduous, Tropical Thorny, Mangrove, Desert
FA
C) Desert, Tropical thorny, Moist deciduous, Mangrove
D) Desert, Tropical thorny, Mangrove, Moist deciduous
 Ans : C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
If a tropical rain forest is removed, it does not regenerate
quickly as compared to a tropical deciduous forest. This is
because

C
PS
[CSE 2011]

U
F
O
S
(a) the soil of rain forest is deficient in nutrients

ET
(b) propagules of the trees in a rain forest have poor
C
FA
viability
(c) the rain forest species are slow-growing
(d) exotic species invade the fertile soil of rain forest.
 Ans : A

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
In India, which type of forest among the following occupies
the largest area?

C
PS
[CSE 2010]

U
F
O
(a) Montane Wet Temperate Forest

S
ET
(b) Sub-tropical Dry Evergreen Forest
C
(c) Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest
FA
(d) Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest
 Ans : C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
In India, in which one of the following types of forests is
teak a dominant tree species?

C
PS
[CSE 2015]

U
F
O
(a) Tropical moist deciduous forest

S
ET
(b) Tropical rain forest
C
(c) Tropical thorn scrub forest
FA
(d) Temperate forest with grasslands
 Ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Consider the following statements :

[CAPF 2017]

C
1. Areas where rainfall exceeds 250 cm

PS
2. Annual temperature 25C-27C

U
3 Average humidity exceeds 75%

F
4 Trees do not shed the leaves

O
S
ET
To which one of the following types of vegetation does the above represent ?

C
(a) Tropical wet evergreen
FA
(b) Tropical semi evergreen
(c) Tropical moist deciduous
(d) Tropical dry evergreen
 Ans A

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following types of forests cover the
largest area in India ?

C
PS
(CAPF 2009)

U
F
O
A) Tropical dry deciduous

S
ET
B) Tropical moist deciduous
C) C
Tropical evergreen
FA
D) Himalayan moist temperate
 Ans B

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following statements is not correct?

(CAPF 2020)

C
PS
U
A) Mahogany is a Timber species of Tropical Rainforest

F
O
B) Chaparral vegetation is found in Taiga climate

S
ET
C) Lichens are predominantly found in Tundra region
D) C
Sal is a representative species of Moist Deciduous
FA
forest
 Ans : B

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
“Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface
is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant
forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as
epiphytes rooted on the upper branches of trees.” This is the most likely description of

C
PS
[CSE 2021]

U
F
O
S
(a) Coniferous forest

ET
(b) Dry deciduous forest

C
(c) Mangrove forest FA
(d) Tropical rain forest
 Ans D

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Select the forest found in Western Ghats, north-eastern
hilly region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

C
PS
[65th BPSC Re-exam 2020]

U
F
O
(a) Tropical thorn forest

S
ET
(b) Tropical deciduous forest
C
(c) Tropical evergreen forest
FA
(d) Mountain forest
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above
 Ans : C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following set of trees does not belong to
Temperate Floral Zone of Himalaya?

C
PS
[UPSC CDS II 2023]

U
F
O
(a) Cashewnut and Magnolia

S
ET
(b) Oak and Maple
(c) Rhododendrons C
FA
(d) Birch and Laurels
 Ans A

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
The greatest diversity of animal and plants species is
found in:

C
PS
[UPSC CAPF 2023] {APPSC Gr-1 2023}

U
F
O
(a) Temperate forests

S
ET
(b) Deserts and Savannas
C
(c) Arctic and Alpine systems
FA
(d) Tropical moist forests
 Ans d

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Biodiversity is richer in

[CDS I 2014]

C
PS
U
a) tropical regions

F
O
b) polar regions

S
ET
c) temperate regions
d) oceans C
FA
 ans : a

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
In which one of the following highlands of India can you
find temperate forests called 'Sholas' ?

C
PS
[CDS II 2022]

U
F
O
Nilgiris

S
ET
Vindhyas
C
Satpuras FA
Himalayas
Khair (Catechu) is a tree of which type of forest?

[UKPCS Pre 2022]

C
PS
U
A) Sub-Alpine Forests

F
O
B) Sub-Tropical Forests

S
ET
C) Cool-Temperate Forests
D) Temperate ForestsC
FA
 Ans : B

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which of the following statement is not true?

[UPPSC 2019]

C
PS
U
(a) Species diversity increases from equator towards

F
O
poles.

S
ET
(b) Tropics harbor more species than temperate areas.
C
(c) Greatest biodiversity occurs in Amazonean rain forest.
FA
(d) Species diversity decreases from temperate areas
towards poles.
 Ans A

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
In Uttarakhand, Oak-Rhododendron are characteristic
plants of :

C
PS
[UKPCS 2016]

U
F
O
(a) Sub-tropical forest

S
ET
(b) Sub-alpine forest
(c) Temperate forest C
FA
(d) All of the above
 Ans C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
Which one of the following statements regarding
temperate coniferous forest biome is not correct?

C
PS
(CDS 2 2019)

U
F
O
A) They are characterized by very little undergrowth

S
ET
B) They have a growing period of 50 to 100 days in a
year C
FA
C) There is low variation in annual temperature
D) There is high range in spatial distribution of annual
precipitation
 Ans C

FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C
FA
C
ET
S
O
F
U
PS
C