Rivers and its tributaries – UPSC Indian Geography Notes
The Major Rivers of India play a pivotal role in the country’s comprehensive development. They serve as essential sources of drinking water, irrigation for crops, and crucial means of transportation. Moreover, these rivers are instrumental in power generation and provide livelihoods for a significant population. Every major city in India is strategically located alongside a river, emphasizing its substantial contribution to people’s livelihood. Additionally, all the significant rivers in India hold a holy status in Hindu mythology.
The Bay of Bengal acts as a receptacle for water from most of India’s rivers, while the west-flowing rivers discharge their water into the Arabian Sea. This article sheds light on the major rivers of India, presenting information about the longest, national, peninsular, and southernmost rivers.
Major Rivers of India
- The seven major rivers of India are Indus, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Tapi, Godavari, Krishna, and Mahanadi.
- Most Indian river systems converge and join the Bay of Bengal in the east.
- Some Indian rivers flow westward through the country and then turn east, with examples being in the state of Himachal Pradesh, ultimately reaching the Arabian Sea.
- All major rivers in India originate from one of three key watersheds:
- The Himalayan and Karakoram Mountain Ranges;
- The Chota Nagpur Plateau, along with the Vindhya and Satpura Ranges;
- The Western Ghats.
National River of India
- On November 4, 2008, the Ganga River (Ganges River) was declared the National River of India.
- The Ganga is renowned as the purest and most spiritual river in India.
- Originating from its glacial source in the high Himalayas, these rivers of India flow through five states in the northern plains before reaching the Bay of Bengal through the Sunderbans delta.
- The National River of India plays a vital role in replenishing agricultural land along its 2,500 km course and supports numerous towns and cities.
- The Ganga basin, the largest river basin globally, covers 860,000 square kilometers across 11 states.
- The primary Ganga River tributary is the Ghagra River.
Major Rivers of India Names with States
Various Rivers of India are located in distinct regions across the country. Explore the geographical distribution of the major Rivers of India on a state-wise basis.
| Major Rivers of India | States |
| Bhadra, Tungabhadra, Cauvery, Tunga & Pennar | Karnataka |
| Betwa, Tapti, Wainganga, Khan, Narmada, Kshipra, Beehar, Chambal & Mandakini | Madhya Pradesh |
| Brahmini & Mahanadi | Orissa |
| Cauvery, Adyar, Cooum, Vennar, Vaigai & Tambarani | Tamil Nadu |
| Chambal | Rajasthan |
| Damodar, Ganga & Subarnarekha | Jharkhand |
| Diphu & Dhansiri | Nagaland |
| Ganga | Bihar |
| Ganga | Uttranchal |
| Ganga, Damodar & Mahananda | West Bengal |
| Godavari & Musi | Andhra Pradesh |
| Krishna, Godavari, Tapi and Panchganga | Maharashtra |
| Mandovi | Goa |
| Pamba | Kerala |
| Rani Chu | Sikkim |
| Sabarmati | Gujarat |
| Satluj | Punjab |
| Yamuna, Ganga & Gomti | Uttar Pradesh |
| Yamuna | Delhi |
| Yamuna | Haryana |
List of Indian Rivers and Their Tributaries
Explore the roster of rivers in India that traverse from west to north and south along the Indian coast. Here, we delve into details about some of the major rivers of India and their tributaries.
| Important Rivers in India | Left Bank Tributaries | Right Bank Tributaries |
| Brahmaputra | Burhi Dihing, Dhansiri, Kopili, Dikhow, Desang | Lohit, Subansiri, Jiabharali, Manas, Dhansiri, Torsa, Teesta, Sankosh, Dibang |
| Godavari | Indravathi, Pranhita, Purna, and Sabari | Pravara, Maner, Manjira |
| Indus | Zanskar, Jhelum, Suru, Chenab, Soan, Ravi, Satluj, Beas, and Panjnad | Shyok, Gomal, Hunza, Kunar, Swat, Kurram, Gilgit, and Kabul |
| Cauvery | Harangi, Shimsha, Hemavati, and Arkavati | Lakshmantirtha, Suvarnavati, Kabbani, Noyil, Bhavani |
| Ganga | Ramganga, Gomti, Garra, Gandak, Ghaghara, etc. | Yamuna, Tamsa, Sone, Karamnasa, Punpun, etc. |
| Krishna | Bhima, Peddavagu, Dindi, Halia, Paleru, Musi, and Munneru | Venna, Panchganga, Koyna, Ghataprabha, Dudhganga, etc. |
| Mahanadi | Seonath, Mand, Hasdeo, and Ib | Ong, Jonk, and Tel |
| Narmada | Kharmer, Banjar, Burhner, Sanair, Temur, etc. | Silgi, Gaur, Balai, Hiran, Biranjo, Barna, Tendoni, etc. |
| Yamuna | Hanuman Ganga, Hindon, Sasur Khaderi | Giri, Sindh, Ken, Baghain, Tons, Betwa, Chambal |
| Tapti | Nesu, Girna, Arunavati, Mona, Buray, Panjhra, Purna, Bori, Waghur, and Sipna | Vaki, Arunavati, Gomai and Aner |
Peninsular Rivers of India
The Western Ghats serve as the principal origin for the Peninsular Rivers of India or Peninsular Drainage. These rivers exhibit a directional flow, either eastward into the Bay of Bengal or westward into the Arabian Sea, owing to the water divide created by the Western Ghats. The major Peninsular rivers include Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery.
Significance of Rivers for the Country’s Economy:
- Two Peninsular Rivers traverse through a trough.
- As these rivers move eastward across the plateau, they form deltas at their mouths while draining into the Bay of Bengal.
- In contrast, the Narmada and Tapti, flowing westward, create estuaries into the Arabian Sea.
The Peninsular rivers of India rely on rainfall for their water supply.
Major Rivers of India in Himalayas (North India)
- Indus, Yamuna, Ravi, Ganga, Chenab, Ghaghara, Beas, Gomati, Jhelum, and Sutlej constitute the rivers of North India.
- These rivers are integral components of the Himalayan river system.
1. Ganga River
- The Ganga river system traverses through Bangladesh, Nepal, Tibet (China), and India.
- Largest river basin in India, covering approximately one-fourth of the country’s surface.
- Flows through states and territories including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand.
2. Yamuna River
- Originates from either Bandarpoonch Peak in the Mussoorie range of the lower Himalayas or the southwest slopes of the Yamunotri Glacier.
- Flows through states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi (Prayagraj).
- Major tributary of the Ganga, joining close to Triveni Sangam in Allahabad.
3. Gomati River
- Also known as Gumti, it is a tributary of the Ganges (Ganga) river in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state.
- Originates around 32 miles (51 km) east of Pilibhit in northern Uttar Pradesh.
- Initially intermittent, it becomes perennial at the confluence of Joknai.
4. Ghaghara River
- Known as the Karnali River in Nepal and the Mapcha Tsangpo in Tibet.
- A perennial river flowing across international borders.
- Originates on the Tibetan Plateau’s northern Himalayan slopes, passes through Nepal’s Himalayas, and merges with the Sharda River at Brahmaghat in India.
Tributaries of Indus River of India
- The Indus originates in the northern Kailash range in Tibet, near Lake Manasarovar.
- It flows in a northwesterly direction through Tibet.
- Major tributaries in India include Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
Origin of River Indus and Ganga:
- The Indus River system is one of the largest and most significant in South Asia.
- It starts near Mount Kailash and runs through Tibet, known as Singi Khamban or the Lion’s Mouth in its northwest.
Plain formed by River Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus:
- These rivers of India create a significant plain.
Indus River Passing through Ladakh:
- The Indus passes through Ladakh, directly between the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges.
1. Jhelum River
- A river in the northern Indian subcontinent, the Jhelum River originates at Verinag.
- Flows through the Jammu and Kashmir region, controlled by India, and through Kashmir, administered by Pakistan.
- Enters the Punjab province of Pakistan.
2. Chenab River
- One of the five important rivers in the Punjab region, the Chenab River runs through both Pakistan and India.
- Formed by the convergence of headwaters Chandra and Bhaga in the upper Himalayas in India’s Lahaul region.
- Travels through the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, India, before entering the plains of Punjab, Pakistan.
3. Ravi River
- A transboundary river connecting eastern Pakistan to northwestern India.
- One of the five rivers in the Punjab region.
- Waters were allocated to India under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960.
- The Indus Basin Project was developed to redirect water from the western Indus River to Pakistan, replacing the section of the Ravi River.
4. Beas River
- Originates in the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, India.
- Flows approximately 470 kilometers to the Sutlej River in Punjab.
- Rises on the southern face of Rohtang Pass in Kullu at 4,361 meters (14,308 feet) above sea level.
5. Sutlej River
- The Sutlej or Satluj River, the longest of the five rivers, flows through the historic crossroads region of Punjab in northern India and Pakistan.
- Also known as Satadru.
- Easternmost tributary of the Indus River.
Southern Rivers of India
- The Southern rivers of India include Krishna, Godavari, Periyar, Bhima, Pennar, Tungabhadra, Palar, Kollidam, Ponnaiyar, and Cauvery.
- These rivers enter the peninsular region and are primarily sustained by rainfall.
Krishna River
- With a length of 1400 km, the Krishna river is the second-largest river in peninsular India, following the Godavari River.
- Originates approximately 64 kilometers from the Arabian Sea in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
- Flows from the Western Ghats to the Bay of Bengal, spanning the length of the peninsula.
Godavari River
- The Godavari river is the third-longest river in India and the largest among the peninsular rivers.
- Originates in the Western Ghats near Trimbak Hills in Maharashtra, also known as Vridha Ganga and Dakshin Ganga.
Periyar River
- In the Indian state of Kerala, the Periyar river is the longest and has the greatest discharge capacity.
- A crucial perennial river supplying drinking water to significant communities and playing a vital role in Kerala’s economy.
Bhima River
- A significant river in South and Western India, the Bhima river traverses through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana.
- Stretches for 861 kilometers (535 mi) before joining the Krishna River.
- Forms a fertile agricultural region with dense habitation after the initial 65 kilometers.
Pennar River
- One of the southern rivers, the Pennar River originates in the Nandi Hills in Karnataka.
- Flows in two distinct streams, one in a northerly and one in a southerly direction.
- Begins in the Karnataka state district of Chikkaballapur, flowing through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
Tungabhadra River
- The majority of the Tungabhadra River’s course is in the Indian state of Karnataka.
- Flows through the border states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- Confluences with the Krishna River near Gundimalla hamlet in the Jogulamba Gadwal district of Telangana.
Palar River
- Originates in the Nandi Hills in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapura district.
- Flows through Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, totaling 348 kilometers.
- Empties into the Bay of Bengal at Vayalur, approximately 75 kilometers south of Chennai.
Kollidam River
- One of the southernmost rivers in India, the Kollidam is the northern distributary of the Kaveri River as it passes through Thanjavur’s delta.
- Diverges from the Kaveri River’s main branch at the island of Srirangam.
- Flows eastward into the Bay of Bengal, with the Kollidam distribution system located on Lower Anaicut.
Ponnaiyar River
- Also known as Thenpennai and Dakshina Pinakini in Tamil.
- Travels through Tamil Nadu before draining into the Bay of Bengal.
- Originates in the Nandi Hills in the Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka.
Cauvery River
- Often referred to as the Ganga of the South or Ponni River.
- Source is Talakaveri in the western ghats’ Brahmagiri range in Karnataka’s Coorg district at an elevation of 1341 meters above sea level.
- Cauvery River Basin covers an area of 81,155 square kilometers.
Longest Rivers of India
The table below depicts that the Indus holds the title of being the longest river in India, with a total length of 3180 km, out of which it courses over 1114 km in India. It is succeeded in length by the Brahmaputra, Ganga, and Godavari.
| River | Total Length (km) | Length in India (km) |
| Indus | 3180 km | 1114 km |
| Brahmaputra | 2900 km | 916 km |
| Ganga | 2525 km | 2525 km |
| Godavari | 1465 km | 1464 km |
| Krishna | 1400 km | 1400 km |
| Yamuna | 1376 km | 1376 km |
| Narmada | 1312 km | 1312 km |
| Mahanadi | 890 km | 890 km |
| Kaveri | 800 km | 800 km |
| Tapti | 724 km | 724 km |
Rivers of India UPSC
The compilation of rivers in India constitutes a crucial aspect of Indian geography, holding significance in the GS 2 Paper of UPSC Mains. Numerous inquiries in the UPSC exam focus on the geographical details and origins of India’s river system, necessitating a thorough analysis of this topic by aspirants to proficiently address such questions.
FAQs on Rivers and its tributaries
Q. Which are the well-known Rivers of India?
Answer: Some well-known rivers in India include the Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Indus, Godavari, Krishna, and more.
Q. What are the two east flowing rivers of India?
Answer: The Godavari and Krishna are two prominent east flowing rivers in India.
Q. Which is the longest river in peninsular India?
Answer: The Godavari is the longest river in peninsular India.
Q. Which is the red river of India?
Answer: The Yamuna is often referred to as the red river of India.
Q. What is the length of Ganga river in India?
Answer: The Ganga river in India is approximately 2,525 kilometers long.
Q. Which is the widest river of India?
Answer: The Brahmaputra is considered the widest river in India.
Q. Which is the southernmost river of India?
Answer: The Kaveri is the southernmost river of India.
Q. What is the length of Indus river in India?
Answer: The Indus river in India is approximately 1,114 kilometers long.
Q. What is the length of Brahmaputra river in India?
Answer: The Brahmaputra river in India is about 916 kilometers long.
Q. Which is the national river of India?
Answer: The Ganga is recognized as the national river of India.
Q. Which is the largest river of South India?
Answer: The Godavari is the largest river of South India.
Q. Which river is called Ganga of South India?
Answer: The Godavari river is sometimes referred to as the Ganga of South India.
Q. Which river in India is called Vridha Ganga?
Answer: The Godavari river is known by the name Vridha Ganga.
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