UPSC Prelims 2010 Q75: Geography – Indian Rivers & Water Resources
Rivers that pass through Himachal Pradesh are
- (a) Beas and Chenab only
- (b) Beas and Ravi only
- (c) Chenab, Ravi and Satluj only
- (d) Beas, Chenab, Ravi, Satluj and Yamuna
Answer: (d) Beas, Chenab, Ravi, Satluj and Yamuna
Explanation
Which rivers pass through Himachal Pradesh
Several major Himalayan rivers flow through Himachal Pradesh before continuing onward.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Beas and Chenab only | Incorrect | This undercounts; more rivers than just these two pass through the state |
| (b) Beas and Ravi only | Incorrect | Also undercounts, missing other major rivers |
| (c) Chenab, Ravi and Satluj only | Incorrect | Omits Beas and Yamuna, both of which also flow through the state |
| (d) Beas, Chenab, Ravi, Satluj and Yamuna | Correct | Himachal Pradesh is traversed by all five of these major rivers — the Beas, Chenab, Ravi, Satluj, and even the upper reaches of the Yamuna |
Rivers of Himachal Pradesh:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Major rivers | Beas, Chenab, Ravi, Satluj, Yamuna |
| Significance | Himachal is a key headwater region for several Indus-system and Yamuna-system rivers |
Answer: (d) Beas, Chenab, Ravi, Satluj and Yamuna.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. This undercounts; Ravi, Satluj, and Yamuna also flow through Himachal Pradesh.
- (b) Incorrect. This undercounts; Chenab, Satluj, and Yamuna also flow through the state.
- (c) Incorrect. This omits Beas and Yamuna, both of which also pass through Himachal Pradesh.
- (d) CORRECT. All five rivers — Beas, Chenab, Ravi, Satluj, and Yamuna — pass through Himachal Pradesh.
Key point
Himachal Pradesh is traversed by ALL FIVE major rivers: Beas, Chenab, Ravi, Satluj, and Yamuna.
Remember
Rivers passing through Himachal Pradesh: Beas, Chenab, Ravi, Satluj, and Yamuna — all five.
Common mistakes
- Listing only the most commonly cited two or three rivers, missing the full set of five.
- Forgetting that the Yamuna's upper course also passes through Himachal Pradesh.
- Underestimating how many major Himalayan rivers originate or flow through this one state.
Exam tip
Himachal Pradesh is a major river headwater state: Beas, Chenab, Ravi, Satluj, AND Yamuna all pass through it — a full set of five.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI Geography — India: Physical Environment — Drainage System
- Central Water Commission and National Remote Sensing Centre — India-WRIS: River Basin Atlas (Indus basin: rivers of Himachal Pradesh)