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General Knowledge Cluster285 Verified Questions
Ganga River Basin: Origin, Panch Prayag & Tributaries GK Questions & Answers
The Ganga River system constitutes India's largest drainage basin, encompassing approximately 861,452 square kilometres across eleven states. The main river originates at Gaumukh from the Gangotri Glacier in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand at an elevation of 3,892 metres, where it is initially known as the Bhagirathi. Downstream, the river is shaped by the five sacred confluences known as the Panch Prayag: Vishnuprayag (where the Alaknanda meets the Dhauliganga), Nandaprayag (Alaknanda meets Nandakini), Karnaprayag (Alaknanda meets Pindar), Rudraprayag (Alaknanda meets Mandakini), and Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi unites with the Alaknanda to formally form the Ganga. Emerging from the Siwalik hills at Haridwar onto the Indo-Gangetic plain, the river flows eastward for 2,525 kilometres before discharging into the Bay of Bengal through the Sundarbans delta. Its major left-bank tributaries include the Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Kosi, while its primary right-bank tributaries comprise the Yamuna—which joins at the Prayagraj confluence—along with the Son and Punpun rivers. Declared the National River of India on November 4, 2008, the river basin is governed ecologically under the National Mission for Clean Ganga via the flagship Namami Gange programme.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
The Ganga originates as the Bhagirathi from Gangotri Glacier at Gaumukh and formally acquires the name Ganga at Devprayag upon joining the Alaknanda.
The Alaknanda's five major confluences (Panch Prayag) are Vishnuprayag (Dhauliganga), Nandaprayag (Nandakini), Karnaprayag (Pindar), Rudraprayag (Mandakini), and Devprayag (Bhagirathi).
The Ganga flows 2,525 km across Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, draining approximately 26.2% of India's total geographical landmass.
Primary left-bank tributaries include the Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Kosi, while prominent right-bank tributaries are the Yamuna and Son.
The Ganga was declared the National River of India in November 2008, and its conservation is managed under the statutory Namami Gange mission.
Showing 25 Curated Questions285 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-WATR-00023
hardWorld Major Rivers, Waterfalls & Maritime Canals
Farakka Barrage in West Bengal was primarily constructed across the Ganga River to serve which specific engineering purpose?
Verified Explanation
The Farakka Barrage, completed in 1975 in Murshidabad district, diverts water from the Ganga into the Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system through a 42-km feeder canal to reduce siltation at Kolkata Port.
2ID: GK-WATR-00044
easyHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
At which sacred confluence (Prayag) in Uttarakhand do the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers meet to officially form the Ganga?
Verified Explanation
Devprayag is the holy confluence in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers merge; downstream from this point, the river is known as the Ganga.
3ID: GK-WATR-00054
mediumHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
Which right-bank tributary of the Ganga originates from the Amarkantak plateau in Madhya Pradesh and joins the Ganga near Patna?
Verified Explanation
The Son River originates near Amarkantak in MP, flows north-northeast through UP and Jharkhand, and merges into the Ganga just west of Patna in Bihar.
4ID: GK-WATR-00116
hardHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
The Ramganga River, the first major left-bank tributary of the Ganga, originates from the Dudhatoli ranges and flows through which famous national park?
Verified Explanation
The Ramganga River flows through the heart of Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand before entering UP to join the Ganga near Kannauj.
5ID: GK-WATR-00124
easyHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
Which river in peninsular India is famously referred to as the 'Dakshin Ganga' (Ganga of the South) due to its vast drainage basin?
Verified Explanation
Godavari is the longest river in peninsular India (1,465 km) and is known as 'Dakshin Ganga' or 'Vridha Ganga' due to its extensive basin and religious significance.
6ID: GK-WATR-00130
easyHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
The sacred confluence where the Ganga and Yamuna meet with the mythical Saraswati at Prayagraj is called:
Verified Explanation
Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj (Allahabad) is the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the subterranean mythical Saraswati River, host to the Maha Kumbh Mela.
7ID: GK-WATR-00133
easyWorld Major Rivers, Waterfalls & Maritime Canals
Upon entering Bangladesh from West Bengal, the main stream of the Ganga River is known by what name?
Verified Explanation
After crossing the Farakka Barrage into Bangladesh, the main channel of the Ganga is called the Padma.
8ID: GK-WATR-00158
mediumWorld Major Rivers, Waterfalls & Maritime Canals
Which major left-bank tributary enters the Ganga River near Patna after originating in the central Himalayas of Nepal?
Verified Explanation
The Gandak (Narayani in Nepal) flows across the Nepal Himalayas and northern Bihar, joining the Ganga opposite Patna at Sonpur.
9ID: GK-WATR-00190
easyHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
Which major right-bank tributary of the Ganga originates from the Amarkantak plateau in Madhya Pradesh and joins the Ganga near Patna in Bihar?
Verified Explanation
The Son River originates at Amarkantak near the source of the Narmada, flows northeast across MP, UP, and Jharkhand, and discharges into the Ganga just west of Patna.
10ID: GK-WATR-00239
hardHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
Which major left-bank tributary of the Ganga originates from Gomat Taal (Fulhar Jheel) near Madho Tanda in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh?
Verified Explanation
The Gomti River is a non-glacial river that originates from Fulhar Jheel (Gomat Taal) in Pilibhit, flowing 960 km past Lucknow, Sultanpur, and Jaunpur before meeting the Ganga at Saidpur.
11ID: GK-WATR-00243
hardHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
At which holy confluence in the Garhwal Himalayas do the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers merge to officially take the name 'Ganga'?
Verified Explanation
At Devprayag in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, the Alaknanda (from Satopanth glacier) meets the Bhagirathi (from Gangotri glacier) to form the holy river Ganga.
12ID: GK-WATR-00246
easyHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
At which holy confluence (Prayag) in Uttarakhand do the rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda unite to formally form the River Ganga?
Verified Explanation
Devprayag is the sacred site where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers merge; from this confluence downstream, the river is known as the Ganga.
13ID: GK-WATR-00249
easyHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
Which peninsular river originates from the Trimbak plateau in the Western Ghats of Nashik district, Maharashtra, and is often termed the 'Dakshin Ganga'?
Verified Explanation
The Godavari River originates near Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra and is the second-longest river in India (1,465 km), earning the title Dakshin Ganga.
14ID: GK-WATR-00344
easyHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
Which peninsular river, with a length of 1,465 kilometres, is known as the 'Dakshin Ganga' (Ganges of the South) and forms the largest river basin in Peninsular India?
Verified Explanation
Godavari is the longest peninsular river (1,465 km), originating at Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, Maharashtra, and earning the epithet 'Dakshin Ganga' or 'Vridha Ganga'.
15ID: GK-WATR-00348
easyHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
At which sacred confluence (Panch Prayag) in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, do the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers meet to officially take the name 'Ganga'?
Verified Explanation
Devprayag is the holy confluence where the Bhagirathi (originating from Gaumukh) meets the Alaknanda (from Satopanth glacier); downstream from here, the river is known as the Ganga.
16ID: GK-WATR-00362
hardHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
Which major right-bank tributary of the Ganga originates at the Amarkantak plateau (near the origin of Narmada) and flows northeast through Madhya Pradesh, UP, and Bihar to meet the Ganga near Patna?
Verified Explanation
The Son River (784 km) originates on the eastern slope of the Amarkantak plateau in Anuppur district, MP, cutting through the Kaimur Range to join the Ganga just west of Patna.
17ID: GK-WATR-00404
easyHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
At which sacred confluence (Prayag) in Uttarakhand do the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to officially form the Holy River Ganga?
Verified Explanation
At Devprayag in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers unite. From this confluence onward, the combined stream is named the Ganga.
18ID: GK-WATR-00411
mediumHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
Which tributary of the Ganga originates from the Yamunotri Glacier on the southwestern slopes of the Banderpooch peak in Uttarakhand?
Verified Explanation
The Yamuna, the longest tributary of the Ganga, rises from the Yamunotri Glacier at Banderpooch peak in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand and joins the Ganga at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj.
19ID: GK-WATR-00465
easyHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
At which sacred confluence (Prayag) in Uttarakhand do the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers merge to officially form the river Ganga?
Verified Explanation
At Devprayag in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to form the Holy Ganga, marking the final and most revered of the Panch Prayags.
20ID: GK-WATR-00478
hardHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
The Gomti River, a unique left-bank tributary of the Ganga that originates entirely in the alluvial plains rather than the Himalayas, has its source at:
Verified Explanation
The Gomti River originates at Gomat Taal (Fulhar Jheel) near Madho Tanda in Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh at an elevation of 200 metres, flowing past Lucknow and Jaunpur into the Ganga.
21ID: GK-WATR-00483
hardWorld Major Rivers, Waterfalls & Maritime Canals
The Ghaghara River (Karnali), the largest tributary of the Ganga by discharge volume, originates in Tibet from which glacier near Mount Kailash?
Verified Explanation
The Ghaghara (known as Karnali in Nepal) originates from the Mapchachungo Glacier on the Tibetan plateau south of Lake Manasarovar, joining the Ganga near Revelganj in Bihar.
22ID: GK-WATR-00524
easyHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
At which holy confluence (Prayag) do the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to officially form the River Ganga?
Verified Explanation
At Devprayag in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers unite, from where the river flows forward under the name Ganga.
23ID: GK-WATR-00529
easyHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
Which is the longest right-bank tributary of the Ganga, joining it at Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam)?
Verified Explanation
The Yamuna originates at the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarkashi and is the longest tributary of the Ganga (1,376 km), meeting it at Prayagraj.
24ID: GK-WATR-00584
easyHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
Which river, being the longest peninsular river in India (approx 1,465 km), is traditionally known as the 'Dakshin Ganga' or 'Vridha Ganga'?
Verified Explanation
The Godavari River is the largest and longest peninsular river in India, originating at Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra; its immense catchment and sanctity earn it the name Dakshin Ganga.
25ID: GK-WATR-00590
mediumHimalayan & Peninsular River Systems
Which major right-bank tributary of the Ganga originates in the Amarkantak plateau of Madhya Pradesh, flowing north-east to join the Ganga near Patna?
Verified Explanation
The Son River originates in the Amarkantak plateau of Anuppur district, MP, near the source of Narmada, and flows north-east through MP, UP, and Bihar to merge with the Ganga near Danapur (Patna).