UPSC Prelims 2015 Q36: Geography – Indian Rivers & Water Resources
Consider the following rivers:
1. Vamsadhara
2. Indravati
3. Pranahita
4. Pennar
Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari?
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 2, 3 and 4
- (c) 1, 2 and 4
- (d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (d) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Tributaries of the Godavari
The Godavari rises at Trimbakeshwar near Nashik and is the longest river of peninsular India.
| River | Tributary of the Godavari? | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Vamsadhara | No | An independent east-flowing river of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh |
| 2. Indravati | Yes | Left-bank tributary; rises in Odisha, flows through Bastar |
| 3. Pranahita | Yes | Largest tributary; formed by the Wardha, Wainganga and Penganga |
| 4. Pennar | No | An independent river of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh |
Godavari tributaries by bank:
| Bank | Tributaries |
|---|---|
| Left | Purna, Pranahita, Indravati, Sabari |
| Right | Pravara, Manjira, Maner |
Answer: (d) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Vamsadhara reaches the Bay of Bengal on its own.
- (b) Incorrect. The Pennar is an independent river, not a tributary.
- (c) Incorrect. Neither the Vamsadhara nor the Pennar joins the Godavari.
- (d) CORRECT. Only the Indravati and Pranahita are tributaries of the Godavari.
Key point
Godavari tributaries: Pranahita, Indravati, Sabari, Purna (left); Manjira, Pravara, Maner (right). Vamsadhara and Pennar are independent rivers.
Remember
Godavari: Pranahita, Indravati, Manjira, Sabari.
Common mistakes
- Counting every river of Andhra Pradesh as a Godavari tributary.
- Confusing the Pennar with the Penganga, which does reach the Godavari.
- Forgetting that the Pranahita is made of three rivers.
Exam tip
Pennar and Penganga sound alike: only the Penganga belongs to the Godavari system.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — India: Physical Environment, Ch 3 (Drainage System)
- Central Water Commission and National Remote Sensing Centre — India-WRIS: River Basin Atlas (Godavari basin)