Q20. The Brahmaputra is known by which name in Tibet?
[Jharkhand PSC Prelims (2003)]
(A) Padma
(B) Chakmudung
(C) Himjug
(D) Tsangpo
Answer: (D) Tsangpo
Explanation: The upper Brahmaputra is called Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet. It is known as Siang or Dihang in Arunachal Pradesh and Jamuna in Bangladesh. Himalayan sediment, seasonal floodwater and heavy rainfall strongly shape the river channels and adjoining plains.
Q19. Which river does not form an estuary?
[Jharkhand PSC Prelims (2003)]
(A) Narmada
(B) Tapi
(C) Mandovi
(D) Mahanadi
Answer: (D) Mahanadi
Explanation: Mahanadi builds a delta along the Odisha coast. Narmada, Tapi and Mandovi instead meet the Arabian Sea in estuarine settings. Regional relief, river outlets and tributary connections help distinguish the surrounding drainage basin geographically.
Q18. What is the north-to-south order of these east-flowing rivers: Subarnarekha, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Pennar, Cauvery and Vaigai?
[UPSC CSE Prelims (2002)]
(A) Subarnarekha–Mahanadi–Godavari–Krishna–Pennar–Cauvery–Vaigai
(B) Subarnarekha–Mahanadi–Krishna–Godavari–Cauvery–Pennar–Vaigai
(C) Mahanadi–Subarnarekha–Godavari–Cauvery–Pennar–Vaigai–Krishna
(D) Mahanadi–Subarnarekha–Krishna–Godavari–Cauvery–Vaigai–Pennar
Answer: (A) Subarnarekha–Mahanadi–Godavari–Krishna–Pennar–Cauvery–Vaigai
Explanation: Along the eastern coast, river mouths progress southwards from Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu in the stated first sequence. Plateau slopes and underlying geological structures are especially important in determining peninsular drainage patterns.
Q17. Assertion: Narmada and Tapi flow to the Arabian Sea while most large peninsular rivers flow east.
Reason: They occupy rift valleys.
[UPPCS Mains (2002)]
(A) Both true, reason explains
(B) Both true, reason irrelevant
(C) Assertion true, reason false
(D) Assertion false, reason true
Answer: (A) Both true, reason explains
Explanation: The two rivers follow fault-controlled westward corridors in central India. These tectonic depressions help account for their unusual direction and estuarine mouths. Plateau slopes and underlying geological structures are especially important in determining peninsular drainage patterns.
Q16. Jamshedpur is situated on which river?
[45th BPSC Prelims (2001)]
(A) Damodar
(B) Brahmani
(C) Subarnarekha
(D) Ajay
Answer: (C) Subarnarekha
Explanation: Jamshedpur developed alongside the Subarnarekha in Jharkhand, close to its confluence with the Kharkai. The rivers are significant for the industrial region. Rivers shaped settlement, local trade routes and agriculture throughout the adjoining plains and valleys.
Q15. Which river supplies the Triveni Canal?
[45th BPSC Prelims (2001)]
(A) Son
(B) Kosi
(C) Gandak
(D) Mayurakshi
Answer: (C) Gandak
Explanation: The Triveni Canal is linked to the Gandak in Bihar’s Champaran region. The project diverts river water for irrigation in nearby agricultural areas. Regional relief, river outlets and tributary connections help distinguish the surrounding drainage basin geographically.
Q14. Hundru Falls is located near which city?
[45th BPSC Prelims (2001)]
(A) Ranchi
(B) Hazaribagh
(C) Jamshedpur
(D) Bodh Gaya
Answer: (A) Ranchi
Explanation: Hundru Falls lies near Ranchi in Jharkhand, where the Subarnarekha plunges over an escarpment of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. It is a well-known local attraction. Waterfalls develop where river gradients shift abruptly, often across resistant rock or geological breaks.
Q13. Manas is a tributary of which river?
[44th BPSC Prelims (2000)]
(A) Godavari
(B) Mahanadi
(C) Krishna
(D) Brahmaputra
Answer: (D) Brahmaputra
Explanation: The Manas flows south from Bhutan into Assam and joins the Brahmaputra. Its basin includes internationally important forest and wildlife habitats. Regional relief, river outlets and tributary connections help distinguish the surrounding drainage basin geographically.
Q12. Which river occupies a fault trough?
[44th BPSC Prelims (2000)]
(A) Narmada
(B) Brahmaputra
(C) Ganga
(D) Krishna
Answer: (A) Narmada
Explanation: Narmada follows a tectonic trough between the Vindhya and Satpura highlands. This geological setting helps explain its westward course. Regional relief, river outlets and tributary connections help distinguish the surrounding drainage basin geographically.
Q11. Which city was named as the largest on the Ganga bank in this exam?
[44th BPSC Prelims (2000)]
(A) Varanasi
(B) Patna
(C) Kanpur
(D) Prayagraj
Answer: (C) Kanpur
Explanation: The historical exam key identifies Kanpur, an industrial city on the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. Urban-size rankings are time-dependent and should be read in their exam context. Rivers shaped settlement, local trade routes and agriculture throughout the adjoining plains and valleys.
