Brahmaputra River System – UPSC & SSC Exam Notes | JKSSB Mock Test

🌊 Brahmaputra River System – Complete Exam-Oriented Notes

🔹 Origin

• Originates from Chemayungdung glacier near Mount Kailash in Tibet.
• Known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet.

🔹 Course

• Flows east in Tibet → turns south at Namcha Barwa → enters Arunachal as Siang.
• Called Brahmaputra in Assam and Jamuna in Bangladesh.
• Merges with Ganga (Padma) and Meghna before draining into Bay of Bengal.

🔹 Major Tributaries

In Tibet:

• Siang
• Nyamjang Chu
• Yarlung Chu

In Arunachal & Assam:

• Subansiri (largest by volume in India)
• Kameng
• Lohit
• Dhansiri
• Buri Dihing

In Bangladesh:

• Jamuna (main channel)
• Teesta (from India)
• Padma, Meghna

🔹 Basin Details

Parameter	Value
Total Length	~2,900 km
Basin Area	~5 lakh sq. km
Countries Covered	Tibet (China), India, Bangladesh
Indian States	Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya

🔹 Unique Features

• One of the few rivers that flows east-west-south.
• Flows through Tsangpo Gorge – one of the deepest canyons in the world.
• Carries huge sediment load and has braided channels.
• Flood-prone due to high rainfall and snowmelt.

🔹 Economic Importance

• Irrigation for rice, jute, tea crops.
• Navigation in Assam – National Waterway 2.
• Hydropower potential – Subansiri, Siang projects.
• Fertile alluvial plains support agriculture.

🔹 Environmental & Strategic Concerns

• Annual monsoon floods in Assam & Bangladesh.
• Riverbank erosion displaces villages and agri-land.
• China's dam projects on Yarlung Tsangpo raise concerns.
• India-Bangladesh river-sharing disputes.

🔹 Quick Facts – One-Liners for MCQs

• Longest river in northeast India – Brahmaputra
• Brahmaputra means – Son of Brahma
• Only Indian river with male name – Brahmaputra
• Enters India at – Arunachal Pradesh (Kepang La)
• Enters Assam at – Sadiya
• Confluence of Siang, Lohit & Dibang – near Pasighat
• Meets Ganga at – Goalundo Ghat (Bangladesh)
• Brahmaputra delta name – Sunderbans (with Ganga)
• Famous island formed – Majuli (Assam)

🔹 UPSC/SSC PYQs (Previous Year Questions)

• Q1: The Brahmaputra River originates from:
  👉 A. Tibet ✅
• Q2: Which tributary contributes maximum water to Brahmaputra in India?
  👉 A. Subansiri ✅
• Q3: Tsangpo Gorge is associated with which river?
  👉 A. Brahmaputra ✅
• Q4: Which Indian state is first entered by Brahmaputra?
  👉 A. Arunachal Pradesh ✅
• Q5: Majuli island lies in which river?
  👉 A. Brahmaputra ✅

🔹 People Also Ask (FAQs for Revision)

• Q: What is the name of Brahmaputra in Tibet?
  A: Yarlung Tsangpo
• Q: Is Brahmaputra longer than Ganga?
  A: No, Ganga is longer in India.
• Q: Which river forms a delta with Brahmaputra?
  A: Ganga – forms Sunderban delta
• Q: Does Brahmaputra cause floods?
  A: Yes, it is flood-prone.
• Q: Which river flows through three countries?
  A: Brahmaputra – China (Tibet), India, Bangladesh.

🖚 Conclusion

The Brahmaputra River System is geographically unique, strategically important, and environmentally sensitive. Remember key facts like origin, tributaries, delta, islands, floods and international disputes for your next exam!