Q250. Identify the river: it follows an antecedent course, passes through three countries, rises on the Tibetan Plateau, supports irrigation and has no distributaries.
[UPSC CSE Prelims (2026)]
(A) Brahmaputra
(B) Indus
(C) Sutlej
(D) Teesta
Answer: (C) Sutlej
Explanation: The Sutlej rises near Rakshastal in Tibet, enters India through the Shipki La region, and eventually joins the Indus system. Its antecedent course cuts across Himalayan ranges. Regional relief, river outlets and tributary connections help distinguish the surrounding drainage basin geographically.
Q249. Which is the largest saltwater lake of India among these?
[SSC GD Constable (29 April 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Vembanad Lake
(B) Pulicat Lake
(C) Chilika Lake
(D) Sambhar Lake
Answer: (C) Chilika Lake
Explanation: Chilika is a vast brackish-water lagoon on the Odisha coast connected with the Bay of Bengal. Sambhar is instead known as the largest inland salt lake. The balance of rainfall, inflowing streams, evaporation and coastal connections determines the waterbody’s character.
Q248. Majuli Island, lying in the Brahmaputra, is situated in which state?
[SSC GD Constable (30 April 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) West Bengal
(B) Arunachal Pradesh
(C) Assam
(D) Meghalaya
Answer: (C) Assam
Explanation: Majuli Island is situated within Assam on the braided Brahmaputra. It is noted for its Vaishnavite satras, a distinctive island culture and the effects of riverbank erosion associated with changing channels. Himalayan sediment, seasonal floodwater and heavy rainfall strongly shape the river channels and adjoining plains.
Q247. Which river joins the Brahmaputra to form the world’s largest delta?
[SSC GD Constable (30 April 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Godavari
(B) Ganga
(C) Krishna
(D) Yamuna
Answer: (B) Ganga
Explanation: The Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna contribute sediment to the extensive Bengal delta around Bangladesh and West Bengal. It opens into the Bay of Bengal. Himalayan sediment, seasonal floodwater and heavy rainfall strongly shape the river channels and adjoining plains.
Q246. Which Indian river has the largest drainage catchment within India?
[SSC GD Constable (4 May 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Godavari
(B) Ganga
(C) Narmada
(D) Brahmaputra
Answer: (B) Ganga
Explanation: The Ganga basin covers a substantial portion of the Northern Plains and receives water from the Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi and other tributaries. Regional relief, river outlets and tributary connections help distinguish the surrounding drainage basin geographically.
Q245. What is the general direction of flow of the Narmada?
[SSC GD Constable (4 May 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) East to West
(B) West to East
(C) North to South
(D) South to North
Answer: (A) East to West
Explanation: The Narmada runs westward from the Amarkantak region along a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges and ultimately meets the Arabian Sea. Plateau slopes and underlying geological structures are especially important in determining peninsular drainage patterns.
Q244. Which river is popularly called Dakshina Ganga?
[SSC GD Constable (5 May 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Krishna
(B) Godavari
(C) Narmada
(D) Cauvery
Answer: (B) Godavari
Explanation: The Godavari is the longest peninsular river and has an extensive drainage basin. Rising near Trimbakeshwar, it flows east across the Deccan towards the Bay of Bengal. The wider drainage network links Himalayan tributaries with major alluvial floodplains and downstream deltas.
Q243. Which river system is responsible for the world’s largest delta?
[SSC GD Constable (5 May 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Indus
(B) Ganga-Brahmaputra
(C) Godavari
(D) Krishna
Answer: (B) Ganga-Brahmaputra
Explanation: Huge quantities of silt carried by the Ganga and Brahmaputra, together with the Meghna, have created the Bengal delta. Its tidal wetlands include the Sundarbans. Regional relief, river outlets and tributary connections help distinguish the surrounding drainage basin geographically.
Q242. Dhuandhar Falls is formed by which river?
[SSC GD Constable (5 May 2026, Shift 3)]
(A) Tapti
(B) Kaveri
(C) Narmada
(D) Godavari
Answer: (C) Narmada
Explanation: Dhuandhar Falls occurs on the Narmada near Bhedaghat and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. The river cuts through the Marble Rocks gorge and plunges in a misty cascade. Waterfalls develop where river gradients shift abruptly, often across resistant rock or geological breaks.
Q241. Which dam has been built across the Sutlej?
[SSC GD Constable (7 May 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Bhakra Dam
(B) Nagarjuna Sagar
(C) Hirakud Dam
(D) Tehri Dam
Answer: (A) Bhakra Dam
Explanation: Bhakra Dam in Himachal Pradesh impounds the Sutlej and creates the Gobind Sagar reservoir. The related Bhakra–Nangal scheme supports irrigation and hydropower. Reservoir location, river discharge and terrain affect the supply of water for irrigation and electricity.