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easyQ. No. 14317-which-is-the-second-longest-river-in-india

Which is the second longest river in India?

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This question examines an important river-or-lake fact: “Which is the second longest river in India?” The correct answer is Godavari. The Godavari River at 1465 km is the second longest river in India after the Ganga (2525 km). It is also the longest river in Peninsular India. Godavari originates from Trimbakeshwar near Nashik in Maharashtra and drains into the Bay of Bengal. A river system includes its source, tributaries, distributaries, drainage basin, watershed, channel, floodplain, delta or estuary and final outlet. River behaviour depends on relief, geology, rainfall, snowmelt, sediment load, vegetation and human intervention. Examination questions often confuse a river’s source with its mouth, a left-bank tributary with a right-bank tributary, or a natural lake with a reservoir.

AYamuna
BGodavari
CBrahmaputra
DNarmada
Correct Answer: GodavariYour Answer: B

Explanation

Correct Answer: Option B — Godavari - Option A — Yamuna: The Yamuna is a major tributary of the Ganga and is shorter than the Godavari. - Option C — Brahmaputra: The Brahmaputra has a longer international course, but much of it lies outside India; it is not the expected answer under this Indian-river convention. - Option D — Narmada: The Narmada is a major west-flowing river but is shorter than the Godavari. Exam Takeaway: Godavari is second after Ganga in the standard ranking of rivers of India.

Important Notes

  • Godavari rises near Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district, Maharashtra, and flows eastward across peninsular India to the Bay of Bengal.
  • It is the longest river of Peninsular India and is commonly placed second after the Ganga in standard Indian river length questions.
  • Godavari should not be confused with Brahmaputra in international length comparisons. Brahmaputra has a long transboundary course through Tibet, India and Bangladesh.
  • Pranhita, Indravati, Manjira and Sabari are major tributaries of the Godavari, giving it one of the largest drainage basins in peninsular India.
  • Yamuna joins the Ganga at Prayagraj, while Narmada flows west to the Arabian Sea. Their basin positions and outlets differ from Godavari.

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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.

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भारत की नदियाँ और झीलें: महत्वपूर्ण GK प्रश्न

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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.

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