Q160. Which plateau gives rise to Damodar, Koel and Subarnarekha drainage?
[67th BPSC Prelims (2022)]
(A) Deccan Plateau
(B) Central Highlands
(C) Chota Nagpur Plateau
(D) Meghalaya Plateau
Answer: (C) Chota Nagpur Plateau
Explanation: The Chota Nagpur Plateau spans parts of eastern central India, especially Jharkhand. Several rivers emerge from this upland and flow towards the Ganga or eastern coast. Reservoir location, river discharge and terrain affect the supply of water for irrigation and electricity.
Q159. Which comparisons between Himalayan and peninsular rivers are correct?
1. Himalayan rivers are mostly perennial while many peninsular rivers are rain-fed.
2. Himalayan upper courses usually have steeper gradients.
3. Peninsular rivers generally erode more than Himalayan rivers.
[67th BPSC Prelims (2022)]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Glacial and snowmelt inflows sustain many Himalayan rivers, whose upper courses have steep gradients. Peninsular rivers depend more heavily on seasonal rainfall and often follow older, more stable terrain. Plateau slopes and underlying geological structures are especially important in determining peninsular drainage patterns.
Q158. How many reservoir–state pairs are incorrectly matched?
1. Ghataprabha–Telangana;
2. Gandhi Sagar–Madhya Pradesh;
3. Indira Sagar–Andhra Pradesh;
4. Maithon–Chhattisgarh.
[UPSC CSE Prelims (2022)]
(A) Only one pair
(B) Only two pairs
(C) Only three pairs
(D) All four pairs
Answer: (C) Only three pairs
Explanation: Gandhi Sagar is correctly in Madhya Pradesh. Ghataprabha reservoir is associated with Karnataka, Indira Sagar with Madhya Pradesh and Maithon with Jharkhand, so three are incorrect. Reservoir location, river discharge and terrain affect the supply of water for irrigation and electricity.
Q157. Which river is a Brahmaputra tributary?
[UPSC CAPF Paper I (7 August 2022)]
(A) Ghaggar
(B) Mahi
(C) Kosi
(D) Manas
Answer: (D) Manas
Explanation: Manas flows from Bhutan into Assam and joins the Brahmaputra. Ghaggar drains internally, Mahi goes west to the Arabian Sea, and Kosi joins the Ganga. Himalayan sediment, seasonal floodwater and heavy rainfall strongly shape the river channels and adjoining plains.
Q156. In which state is Kolleru Lake situated?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (12 December 2022, Shift 1)]
(A) Andhra Pradesh
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Karnataka
(D) Kerala
Answer: (A) Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: Kolleru is a large freshwater wetland located between the Krishna and Godavari deltas in Andhra Pradesh. It helps regulate floods and provides an important habitat for waterbirds and aquatic species. The balance of rainfall, inflowing streams, evaporation and coastal connections determines the waterbody’s character.
Q155. Floating masses of vegetation called phumdis are a special feature of which Indian lake?
[RRB NTPC CBT-II Level 3 (14 June 2022, Shift 1)]
(A) Chilika
(B) Sambhar
(C) Loktak
(D) Pangong
Answer: (C) Loktak
Explanation: Loktak Lake in Manipur is famous for phumdis, floating islands made of vegetation and organic matter. Keibul Lamjao National Park occupies floating habitat on the lake and protects the endangered sangai deer. The balance of rainfall, inflowing streams, evaporation and coastal connections determines the waterbody’s character.
Q154. Which groups of river systems formed India’s Northern Plains?
[RRB Group D (7 October 2022, Shift 3)]
(A) Narmada, Ganga and Brahmaputra
(B) Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra
(C) Cauvery, Ganga and Tapi
(D) Indus, Ganga and Godavari
Answer: (B) Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra
Explanation: The Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems transport enormous volumes of alluvium from the Himalayas. Deposition of their sediments over geological time helped build the fertile Northern Plains of the subcontinent. Regional relief, river outlets and tributary connections help distinguish the surrounding drainage basin geographically.
Q153. The largest peninsular river in India is:
[RRB Group D (14 September 2022, Shift 3)]
(A) Krishna
(B) Narmada
(C) Godavari
(D) Cauvery
Answer: (C) Godavari
Explanation: Godavari has the longest course and the broadest basin among peninsular rivers. It rises in the Western Ghats near Nashik and flows east through the Deccan to the Bay of Bengal. Plateau slopes and underlying geological structures are especially important in determining peninsular drainage patterns.
Q152. Which river is a part of the Brahmaputra River System?
[RRB Group D (5 September 2022, Shift 3)]
(A) Lohit
(B) Gomti
(C) Ramganga
(D) Kosi
Answer: (A) Lohit
Explanation: The Lohit drains eastern Arunachal Pradesh and joins the Brahmaputra river system near the Assam plains. Gomti, Ramganga and Kosi all belong instead to the much larger Ganga drainage network. Himalayan sediment, seasonal floodwater and heavy rainfall strongly shape the river channels and adjoining plains.
Q151. The famous Majuli Island is situated on which river?
[RRB Group D (27 September 2022, Shift 1)]
(A) Godavari
(B) Brahmaputra
(C) Indus
(D) Ganga
Answer: (B) Brahmaputra
Explanation: Majuli is a large inhabited river island in Assam, surrounded by branches of the Brahmaputra. This dynamic river frequently shifts channels and transports sediment, reshaping the island and its floodplain. Rivers shaped settlement, local trade routes and agriculture throughout the adjoining plains and valleys.
