CAPF AC 2020 Q97: Geography – Indian Rivers & Water Resources
Consider the following statements:
1. River Kaveri has well-developed valley
2. Valley of River Alakananda is still growing
3. River Krishna is largest east-flowing peninsular river
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 2 only
Answer: (b) 1 and 2
Explanation
Old Peninsular rivers and young Himalayan rivers
How to think: Peninsular rivers are old, so their valleys are fully developed.
Himalayan rivers are young, so their valleys are still being cut.
Then recall the longest Peninsular river: it is the Godavari, not the Krishna.
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. River Kaveri has a well-developed valley | Correct | An old Peninsular river with a broad, graded valley |
| 2. Valley of River Alakananda is still growing | Correct | A young Himalayan river that is still cutting deep gorges |
| 3. River Krishna is the largest east-flowing peninsular river | Incorrect | The Godavari is the largest |
East-flowing Peninsular rivers by length:
| River | Length | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Godavari | About 1,465 km | Called Dakshin Ganga |
| Krishna | About 1,400 km | Second largest |
| Mahanadi | About 850 km | Flows through Chhattisgarh and Odisha |
| Kaveri | About 800 km | Rises at Talakaveri in Kodagu |
Answer: (b) 1 and 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 2 is also right; the Alakananda valley is still being deepened.
- (b) CORRECT. The Kaveri valley is mature and the Alakananda valley is still growing.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 3 is wrong; the Godavari is the largest east-flowing Peninsular river.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is also right; the Kaveri has a well-developed valley.
Key point
Peninsular rivers (Kaveri, Krishna, Godavari): old, broad graded valleys. Himalayan rivers (Alakananda): young, deep V-shaped valleys and gorges. Largest Peninsular river: Godavari (Dakshin Ganga).
Remember
Godavari, not Krishna, is the largest Peninsular river.
Common mistakes
- Calling the Krishna the largest Peninsular river; it is second to the Godavari.
- Thinking Himalayan rivers have mature valleys because they are big.
- Forgetting that the Alakananda is a headstream of the Ganga, joining the Bhagirathi at Devprayag.
Exam tip
Educated guess: statement 3 is a plain fact check and it fails. That removes (c) and leaves the valley statements.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI Geography — India: Physical Environment (Drainage System)
- NCERT Class IX Geography — Contemporary India I (Drainage)