Gajendra Singh Godara
Sep 14, 2025
12
mins read
India’s drainage is classified into Himalayan, Peninsular (Deccan), Coastal and Inland systems. The three longest rivers – Ganga, Brahmaputra and Indus – originate in the Himalayas and are glacier-fed. Together these Himalayan rivers drain over 5000 glaciers and form the vast Ganga–Brahmaputra-Meghna basin (covering 34% of India’s land, ~59% of its water). In Peninsular India, most rivers rise in the Western Ghats and flow east to the Bay of Bengal (e.g. Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Kaveri), while only a few flow west (Narmada, Tapti) due to the plateau’s tilt. In all, there are about 14 major river systems (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, Narmada, etc.) spanning roughly 20 drainage units.
To know why Himalayan rivers (e.g., Brahmaputra, Ganga) are prone to devastating floods and why river management matters, check our blog Flash Floods in India: Meaning, Cloudburst, Causes & Impacts
Table of content
Indian rivers are broadly classified into Himalayan and Peninsular (Deccan) types:
Himalayan Rivers: These arise in the Himalayas and Tibet (e.g. Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra and their tributaries). They are perennial, fed by melting snow and monsoon rains, so they flow year-round. Himalayan rivers have V-shaped valleys, high gradients and often form extensive deltas (e.g. Sundarbans). Examples: Indus (from Kailash, flows through J&K and Pakistan), Ganga (from Gangotri), Brahmaputra (from Tibet, via Arunachal/Assam).
Peninsular Rivers: These originate in the peninsular highlands (Western Ghats, Vindhyas, etc) and are largely monsoon-fed, so they are seasonal (flooded in rains, lower flow in dry season). They generally have mature stages with broad valleys. Most flow east into the Bay of Bengal (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi), while a few (Narmada, Tapti) flow west into the Arabian Sea. These rivers carve rift valleys (Narmada) or coastal plains and sustain dense agriculture in peninsular India.
India’s top ten longest rivers (measured within India where relevant) can be summarized as follows:
River | Length in India (km) | Origin (State/Region) | States Covered (India) |
Ganga River | 2,525 | Gangotri Glacier (Uttarakhand) | Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, WB |
Godavari River | 1,464 | Triambakeshwar (Maharashtra) | Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, AP |
Krishna River | 1,400 | Mahabaleshwar (Western Ghats, MH) | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, AP |
Yamuna River | 1,376 | Yamunotri Glacier (Uttarakhand) | Uttarakhand, HP, Delhi, Haryana, UP |
Narmada River | 1,312 | Amarkantak Plateau (Madhya Pradesh) | MP, Maharashtra, Gujarat |
Indus River | 1,114 | Kailash Range (Tibet) | Ladakh (J&K) |
Brahmaputra River | 916 | Angsi Glacier (Tibet) | Arunachal Pradesh, Assam |
Mahanadi River | 890 | Sihawa Hills (Chhattisgarh) | Chhattisgarh, Odisha |
Kaveri River | 800 | Brahmagiri Range (Karnataka) | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu |
Tapti (Tapi) River | 724 | Multai (Satpura Range, MP) | MP, Maharashtra, Gujarat |
Each of the above rivers plays a vital role in its region’s economy and ecology. (Sources: Government sources and river system data.)
Length and course: The Ganga flows about 2,525 km within India, from the Himalayas through the fertile Gangetic Plain to the Bay of Bengal, supporting dense populations, farming, navigation, and cities along its banks.
Origin: It rises from the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand; the two main headstreams, Bhagirathi and Alaknanda, meet at Devprayag to form the Ganga, which then descends through Rishikesh and Haridwar into the plains.
Tributaries:
Right-bank: Yamuna (largest), Son, Tamsa (Tons) are the major right bank tributaries.
Left-bank: Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara (Karnali), Sharda (Mahakali/Sarda), Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda.
Cultural Role: Revered as b and declared India’s National River, it anchors major pilgrimage sites and rituals—Haridwar, Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam), Varanasi—and shapes festivals, sacred ghats, and age-old cultural practices along its banks.
Length & Status: About 1,465 km, Godavari is 2nd largest river in India in peninsular regions and has the largest basin among peninsular rivers.
Basin Shape & Boundaries: The basin is roughly triangular, bounded by Satmala Hills, Ajanta Range, Mahadeo Hills (north), Eastern Ghats (south & east), Western Ghats (west).
Tributaries:
Left bank: Major tributaries include Purna, Pranhita (with Penganga, Wardha, Wainganga forming sub-basin), Indravati, Sabari etc.
Right bank: Major tributaries include Pravara, Manjira, Manair, Nsardi, Sindphana etc
Major Projects & Water Management:
Polavaram Irrigation Project: multipurpose (irrigation, hydropower, water supply), large reservoir capacity. It has been accorded National Project status.
Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project: one of world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation schemes; draws water upstream (near Pranhita-Godavari confluence); energy cost & operational concerns.
Length & Course: ~1,400 km, making it one of the top 10 longest rivers in India. Originates at Mahabaleshwar in Western Ghats, Maharashtra; traverses Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh; empties into Bay of Bengal.
Tributaries:
Right-bank tributaries include Tungabhadra, Koyna, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha
Left-bank tributaries include Bhima, Musi etc.
Major Dams & Projects: Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Srisailam Dam, Almatti Dam, Tungabhadra Dam, Prakasam Barrage, and recently Vykuntapuram Barrage (for storing flood water & irrigation).
Economic & Agricultural Role: Supports crops like paddy, sugarcane etc.; delta region is fertile; irrigation infrastructure installed.
Length & Course: ~1,376 km; source at Yamunotri Glacier (Uttarakhand); flows through Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh before meeting the Ganga at Prayagraj.
Tributaries:
Right bank tributaries include Tamsa(Tons), Chambal, Sind, Betwa , Ken, etc
Left Bank tributaries include Hindon, Varuna (local), etc.
Projects / Barrages: Multiple barrages: Hathnikund, Wazirabad, Okhla, Mathura (Gokul) etc.; also several under-construction hydropower projects on Yamuna River have been carried out.
Length & Course: ~1,312 km; originates from Amarkantak Plateau, flows west-wards between Vindhya & Satpura ranges; empties into Arabian Sea (Gulf of Khambhat).
West-flowing River Feature: One of few large peninsular rivers flowing west.
Major Projects: Sardar Sarovar Dam, Omkareshwar, Bargi etc.
Length & Location of Indus River: Total ~3,180 km, but only ~1,114 km within India (Ladakh etc.). Originates near Lake Mansarovar in the Tibet Plateau. Flows from Tibet, through India, then into Pakistan.
Tributaries in India: Indus river has tributaries like Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Jhelum, Chenab etc. These create the major Indus basin in India.
Treaty & International Rivers: Indus Waters Treaty (1960) – issues of rights, upstream development (glacier melt, dams in Tibet/Ladakh).
To know more about the International importance of the river check our blog Indus Water Treaty
Length & Course: ~2,900 km total, ~916 km in India across Arunachal Pradesh & Assam. Origin in Tibetan glaciers near Mount Kailash from the Chemayungdung Glacier; flows east as the Yarlung Tsangpo before entering India; merges with Ganga/Meghna into Bay of Bengal.
Discharge & Floods: The river has very high discharge and brings heavy silt, causing major monsoon floods each year. Erosion and channel shifts have shrunk river islands like Majuli over time.
Tributaries: Major right bank tributaries include Subansiri, Kameng, Manas, Sankosh, and Teesta. Left bank tributaries include Lohit, Dibang, Dhansiri, and Kapili.
Transboundary & Climate Issues: Upstream dams and projects in Tibet raise concerns about downstream flows and sediment patterns. Glacier retreat and changing monsoon patterns add uncertainty to water availability and flood risks.
Length & Course: The Mahanadi is about 858–890 km long; it rises in the Sihawa/Pharsiya area of Chhattisgarh, crosses the Chhattisgarh Plain and Odisha, and empties into the Bay of Bengal
Major Projects: Hirakud is among India’s earliest multipurpose dams and the world’s longest earthen dam; it creates a vast reservoir (Ramsar site) enabling irrigation, flood moderation, and 359.8 MW hydropower.
Tributaries: Major left bank include Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, Ib and right bank include Ong, Tel, Jonk.
Length & Role: Kaveri is about 800 km long; it rises at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri range (Western Ghats, Karnataka), flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and forms a fertile delta before entering the Bay of Bengal.
Tributaries: Left bank—Hemavati, Shimsha, Arkavathi, Suvarnavathi, Lakshmana Tirtha, Harangi; Right bank—Kabini, Bhavani, Noyyal, Amaravati; these tributaries sustain flows and agriculture from the plateau to the delta.
Major projects: Key infrastructures include Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS), Mettur (Stanley) Dam, and numerous anicuts/canals that support irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower across the basin.
Dispute & Judicial Orders: The interstate Cauvery water dispute (mainly Karnataka–Tamil Nadu, with Kerala and Puducherry as parties) has led to tribunal awards and Supreme Court directions on allocations, especially during lean seasons.
Length & Course: The Tapti is about 724 km long; it rises near Multai in the Satpura (Madhya Pradesh), flows through Maharashtra and Gujarat, and empties into the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Khambhat.
West-Flowing Feature: Like Narmada, one of the west-flowing peninsular rivers; used often in contrast questions (east vs west flowing rivers).
Major tributaries: Left bank—Purna, Girna, Bori, Panjhra, Waghur; Right bank—Aner, Arunavati, Gomai.
Projects & Management: Key infrastructures include Ukai (Vallabh Sagar) Dam in Gujarat and several medium dams/anicuts in Maharashtra for irrigation, flood moderation, and power.
Environmental concerns: Strong monsoon dependence causes seasonal flow swings; siltation and lower discharge than larger basins affect flood control, water reliability, and estuarine health near Surat.
Irrigation & Agriculture: Over one-third of India’s farmland relies on river irrigation. For instance, the Ganga plain, Godavari-Krishna basins, and Punjab (through Sutlej/Beas) are India’s granaries. Large canal networks (e.g. Ganga Canal, Indira Gandhi Canal) distribute river water across states.
Hydroelectricity & Industry: Dams on Himalayan rivers (Bhakra-Nangal on Sutlej, Tehri on Bhagirathi, Farakka on Ganga) and Peninsular rivers (Srisailam on Krishna, Hirakud on Mahanadi, Sardar Sarovar on Narmada) generate electricity for millions. Rivers also supply water for industries (steel, thermal plants) near their banks.
Drinking Water & Biodiversity: Major cities and villages draw drinking water from rivers or their reservoirs. River basins harbour rich biodiversity: e.g. the Sundarbans delta (Ganga-Brahmaputra) is a UNESCO biosphere with Bengal tigers and mangroves; Kaziranga (on the Brahmaputra) hosts the Indian rhinoceros; Nanda Devi and Gangotri glaciers feed alpine ecosystems upstream.
Cultural & Religious Value: Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari and Kaveri hold deep religious significance. The Ganga is holiest in Hinduism, personified as a mother-goddess. Pilgrimage sites and festivals abound on riverbanks (Varanasi on Ganga, Prayagraj Sangam, Nashik on Godavari during Kumbh). Even tribal communities revere rivers as deities or life-givers.
Transportation & Economy: Historically, rivers were trade routes (e.g. Brahmaputra in Assam, Ganga in UP). While inland navigation declined, recent interlinking projects aim to revive riverine transport. Rivers also replenish ground water and support fisheries and riverine parks.
Q. With reference to the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, which one of the following sequences is correct? [2024]
a) Ghaghara — Gomati — Gandak — Kosi
b) Gomati — Ghaghara — Gandak — Kosi
c) Ghaghara — Gomati — Kosi — Gandak
d) Gomati — Ghaghara — Kosi — Gandak
Answer: (b)
Q. Consider the following information: [2024]
Waterfall | Region | River |
|---|---|---|
Dhuandhar | Malwa | Narmada |
Hundru | Chota Nagpur | Subarnarekha |
Gersoppa | Western Ghats | Netravati |
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Answer: (a)
Q. Consider the following statements: [2023]
Jhelum River passes through Wular Lake
Krishna River directly feeds Kolleru Lake
Meandering of Gandak River formed Kanwar Lake
How many of the statements given above are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Answer: (a)
FAQ's
Q. Which is the longest river in India?
A. The Ganga is the longest river in India, with a course of about 2,525 km. (The Indus is longer in total but only ~1,114 km in India.)
Q. Which is the largest river of India by volume?
A. The Brahmaputra has the highest discharge (~20,000 m³/s) and thus is the largest Indian river by water volume.
Q. What is the 2nd largest river in India?
A. The Godavari is the second-longest river in India (~1,465 km), earning it the title “Dakshin Ganga” (Southern Ganges).
Q. How many major rivers are there in India?
A. There are about 14 major river systems in India, spread over ~20 drainage basins. Key systems include the Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, Narmada, etc.
Q. Which are the top 10 longest rivers in India for UPSC?
A. UPSC lists typically include: Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, Yamuna, Narmada, Indus, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Kaveri, and Tapti.
Conclusion
India’s river network is integral to its identity and prosperity. The Ganga reigns as the longest river (in India) and cultural icon, while the Brahmaputra dominates by volume. Together with other major rivers – the Godavari, Krishna, Yamuna, Narmada, and co. – they irrigate crops, generate power, sustain forests and wildlife, and bear deep spiritual meaning. Questions on India’s longest/ largest rivers, their tributaries and basins are staples in UPSC prelims and mains. Ultimately, rivers are more than physical features; they are lifelines that have shaped India’s civilization and will determine how well we meet future sustainability challenges. Thorough familiarity with these rivers – their courses, tributaries, and significance – is essential for any UPSC aspirant aiming to master Indian geography and environment.
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