Indian Rivers and Lakes — 20 MCQ Practice
This quiz on India's major rivers and lakes covers one of the most frequently asked topics in Indian Geography. Key facts on the Brahmaputra, Narmada, Kosi, Wular Lake, and Chilika Lake - all with exam-ready explanations.
Which is the longest river that flows entirely within the territory of India?
Although the Ganga is the longest river in India, it enters Bangladesh. The Godavari is the longest river that originates and flows entirely within India.
Which river is famously known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to its frequent devastating floods?
The Kosi River is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar' because its frequent, unpredictable course changes lead to severe annual flooding in the state.
Which of the following west-flowing rivers of India forms an estuary rather than a delta?
Unlike east-flowing rivers, the Narmada and Tapti flow westward through rift valleys and empty into the Arabian Sea, forming estuaries instead of deltas.
Which river is known as the 'Yarlung Tsangpo' in Tibet before entering India?
The Brahmaputra River originates in Tibet, where it is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo, before entering India through Arunachal Pradesh.
Which river crosses the Tropic of Cancer twice in India?
The Mahi River is the only river in India that cuts across the Tropic of Cancer twice: first in Madhya Pradesh and then in Gujarat.
At which of the following places do the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to form the Ganga?
The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers merge at Devprayag in Uttarakhand, and from this point onward, the combined river is officially called the Ganga.
Which of the following is the largest freshwater lake in India?
Wular Lake, located in Jammu and Kashmir, is the largest natural freshwater lake in India, formed due to tectonic activity.
Which lake in India is famous for its floating islands called 'Phumdis' and houses the only floating national park in the world?
Loktak Lake in Manipur is famous for its floating vegetation structures called Phumdis, which host the Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Which is the longest lake in India?
Vembanad Lake in Kerala is the longest lake in India, stretching over 96 km, and is famous for hosting the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
Lonar Lake, a unique circular saline water lake in Maharashtra, was formed by:
Lonar Lake is a famous national geo-heritage site created by a high-velocity meteorite impact during the Pleistocene Epoch.
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in which year?
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in Karachi on September 19, 1960, by Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan.
Which of the following rivers is the largest tributary of the Ganga joining from the south (right bank)?
While the Yamuna is the longest tributary overall, the Son River is the largest southern tributary that joins the Ganga directly as a right-bank tributary.
Majuli, the world's largest inhabited river island, is located on which river?
Majuli is a lush, biodiverse river island located in the mid-channel of the Brahmaputra River in Assam, designated as a district in 2016.
Which river originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh?
The Narmada River originates from the western edge of the Amarkantak Plateau at an elevation of about 1057 meters in Madhya Pradesh.
The famous Jog Falls (Gersoppa Falls) is situated on which river in Karnataka?
Jog Falls, one of India's highest plunge waterfalls, is formed by the Sharavati River dropping 253 meters in the Western Ghats.
Which of the following is the largest saline water lagoon lake in India?
Chilika Lake in Odisha is the largest brackish water lagoon in India and the second-largest coastal lagoon in the world.
Which river is also known as the 'Lavanavari' (Salt River) in India?
The Luni River of Rajasthan is known as the Salt River because its water turns highly saline after passing Balotra due to high salt content in the desert soil.
The Damodar River originates from which of the following plateaus?
The Damodar River originates in the Chota Nagpur Plateau of Jharkhand and flows eastward into West Bengal, where it joins the Hooghly.
Which river is the main source of water for the Indira Gandhi Canal?
The Indira Gandhi Canal gets its water from the Harike Barrage, which is located at the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers in Punjab.
Which of the following lakes is a major salt-extraction site located in Rajasthan?
Sambhar Salt Lake is India's largest inland salt lake, located near Jaipur, producing a major portion of India's salt.