Exambodh - Practice Aptitude, Reasoning & GK Questions
Play Quiz
Geography
easyQ. No. 14310-which-river-has-the-largest-drainage-basin-within-india

Which river has the largest drainage basin within India?

Last Updated:

Linking a fact to its basin, location and defining characteristic is more useful than memorising a bare name. Option B (“Brahmaputra”) is incorrect because it does not match the river basin, lake type, location, tributary relationship, project or hydrological feature specified in the question. Option C (“Indus”) is incorrect because it does not match the river basin, lake type, location, tributary relationship, project or hydrological feature specified in the question. Option D (“Narmada”) is incorrect because it does not match the river basin, lake type, location, tributary relationship, project or hydrological feature specified in the question. The answer Ganga matches the exact hydrological and locational clue.

AGanga
BBrahmaputra
CIndus
DNarmada
Correct Answer: GangaYour Answer: A

Explanation

Correct Answer: Option A — Ganga The Ganga has the largest drainage basin within India. Its river system covers a vast part of the northern plains and receives major tributaries from the Himalayas and Peninsular uplands. The basin supports extensive agriculture, settlements, transport corridors and major urban centres before the river continues into Bangladesh. - Option B — Brahmaputra: The Brahmaputra has a very large transboundary basin, but much of it lies in Tibet and Bangladesh. - Option C — Indus: Most of the Indus basin and the river’s lower course lie outside India. - Option D — Narmada: The Narmada has an important west-flowing basin, but its drainage area is far smaller than that of the Ganga. Exam Takeaway: Ganga has India’s largest drainage basin.

Important Notes

  • The Ganga basin occupies a vast part of northern India and includes major portions of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
  • Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet at Devprayag to form the Ganga. Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi and Son are among its important tributaries.
  • Ganga basin should not be confused with the Brahmaputra transboundary basin. Brahmaputra drains Tibet, northeastern India and Bangladesh.
  • The Indus system includes Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, but the main river and much of its basin lie outside India.
  • Narmada flows west through a rift valley to the Arabian Sea. Its basin is geographically distinct and much smaller than the Ganga basin.

Related Questions

View All
17386-which-indian-rivers-and-lakes-term-is-correctly-associated-with-important-geographical-fact-itWhich Indian rivers and lakes term is correctly associated with i...17385-which-indian-rivers-and-lakes-term-is-correctly-associated-with-course-basin-or-associated-featureWhich Indian rivers and lakes term is correctly associated with c...17384-which-indian-rivers-and-lakes-term-is-correctly-associated-with-source-or-location-it-is-locatedWhich Indian rivers and lakes term is correctly associated with s...
Previous QuestionNext Question

Test your Rivers and Lakes knowledge

Start Topic Test

FAQ

Rivers and Lakes FAQs

Common questions and clear answers for this topic.

What are the major rivers of India and which are the longest?

Major rivers of India: Ganga (2525 km, longest in India), Godavari (1465 km, longest peninsular river), Krishna (1400 km), Yamuna (1376 km), Narmada (1312 km), Indus (1114 km in India). Rivers are classified as Himalayan rivers (perennial, fed by glaciers) and Peninsular rivers (mostly seasonal). The Ganga basin is the largest river basin in India.

नदियाँ और झीलें

नदियाँ और झीलें

भारत की प्रमुख नदियों, सहायक नदियों, नदी घाटियों और महत्वपूर्ण झीलों को परीक्षा-केंद्रित प्रश्नों के साथ पढ़ें।

भारत की नदियाँ और झीलें: महत्वपूर्ण GK प्रश्न

भारत की प्रमुख नदियों, सहायक नदियों, नदी घाटियों और महत्वपूर्ण झीलों पर UPSC, SSC, रेलवे और राज्य PCS के उपयोगी प्रश्न पढ़ें।

भारत की नदियाँ और झीलें, भारतीय नदियाँ जीके, महत्वपूर्ण झीलें, नदी घाटी प्रश्न

What are the largest lakes in the world?

World's largest freshwater lakes: Lake Superior (largest by area, Canada-USA), Lake Baikal (deepest, Russia), Lake Victoria (Africa). Caspian Sea is actually saltwater - largest lake by area. In India: Wular Lake (J&K) is largest freshwater lake. Chilika Lake (Odisha) is largest brackish water lake and important Ramsar wetland site. These are common GK questions in competitive exams.

Same Topic MCQs

View All
Which Indian rivers and lakes term is correctly associated with important geographi...Which Indian rivers and lakes term is correctly associated with course, basin or as...Which Indian rivers and lakes term is correctly associated with source or location...