UPSC Prelims 2024 Q6: Geography – Indian Rivers & Water Resources

UPSC Prelims 2024, General Studies Paper I · Geography

With reference to the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, which one of the following sequences is correct?

Answer: (b) Gomati - Ghaghara - Gandak - Kosi

Explanation

Himalayan tributaries joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj (west to east)

Order	River	Joins the Ganga near	State
1	Gomati	Kaithi, near Ghazipur	Uttar Pradesh
2	Ghaghara	Chhapra (Revelganj)	Bihar
3	Gandak	Hajipur, opposite Patna	Bihar
4	Kosi	Kursela, near Katihar	Bihar

The Gomati rises in the plains (Pilibhit), but it is fed by the Himalayan-foothill drainage system.

The Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi all rise in or beyond the Nepal Himalaya.

Correct sequence: Gomati → Ghaghara → Gandak → Kosi.

Answer: (b) Gomati - Ghaghara - Gandak - Kosi.

(a) Incorrect. The Gomati meets the Ganga near Ghazipur, west of the Ghaghara's confluence at Chhapra.
(b) CORRECT. Gomati (Ghazipur) → Ghaghara (Chhapra) → Gandak (Hajipur) → Kosi (Kursela), west to east.
(c) Incorrect. Gomati comes before Ghaghara, and Gandak joins before Kosi.
(d) Incorrect. The Kosi is the easternmost of the four, so it cannot come before the Gandak.

Left-bank tributaries below Prayagraj, west to east: Gomati → Ghaghara → Gandak → Kosi.

West to east: Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi.

Placing the Ghaghara before the Gomati because the Ghaghara is larger.
Swapping Gandak and Kosi; the Kosi, 'Sorrow of Bihar', joins farthest east at Kursela.
Including right-bank rivers like the Son, which comes from the Peninsula, not the Himalaya.

'Go Gha Gan Ko' — Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, moving downstream from UP into Bihar.