Indus River System MCQs
1. The Indus River originates from which place?
The Indus originates from the Bokar Chu glacier in the Tibetan region near Lake Mansarovar.
2. In Tibet, the Indus river is known as?
It is known as 'Singi Khamban' or Lion's Mouth in Tibet.
3. Which river flows between the Ladakh and Zanskar mountain ranges?
The Indus flows in a northwest direction between the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges.
4. The city of Leh is located on the banks of which river?
Leh is situated on the right bank of the Indus river.
5. The Jhelum river originates from?
The Jhelum rises from a spring at Verinag situated at the foot of the Pir Panjal in Kashmir.
6. Which river is formed by the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers?
The Chenab is the largest tributary of the Indus, formed by the two streams, the Chandra and the Bhaga, which join at Tandi near Keylong.
7. The Ravi river originates from?
The Ravi rises west of the Rohtang Pass in the Kullu hills of Himachal Pradesh.
8. Which river originates from the Beas Kund?
The Beas originates from the Beas Kund near the Rohtang Pass.
9. The Sutlej river originates from which lake?
The Sutlej originates in the Rakshas Tal near Mansarovar in Tibet where it is known as Langchen Khambab.
10. At which place does the Beas river join the Sutlej?
The Beas meets the Sutlej river at Harike in Punjab.
11. The Indus Water Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in which year?
The Indus Water Treaty was signed on September 19, 1960, in Karachi.
12. Under the Indus Water Treaty, exclusive rights to which rivers were given to India?
India got exclusive rights to the three eastern rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Pakistan got rights to the western rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.
13. The Tulbul Navigation Project is located on which river?
The Tulbul Project is located at the mouth of Wular Lake on the Jhelum river.
14. Salal, Baglihar, and Dul Hasti hydroelectric projects are on which river?
These are major run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects constructed on the Chenab river in J&K.
15. The Bhakra Nangal Dam is built across which river?
Bhakra Nangal is a major multi-purpose project on the Sutlej river.
16. The Pong Dam is constructed on which river?
Pong Dam (Maharana Pratap Sagar) is on the Beas river in Himachal Pradesh.
17. Ranjit Sagar Dam (Thein Dam) is located on which river?
Ranjit Sagar Dam is a hydroelectric project on the Ravi river on the border of Punjab and J&K.
18. The combined stream of the five rivers (Panjnad) joins the Indus at?
The Panjnad (formed by Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum) joins the Indus a little above Mithankot in Pakistan.
19. Which river is the largest tributary of the Indus?
Chenab is the largest tributary of the Indus river system.
20. The Kishanganga river is a tributary of?
Kishanganga (known as Neelum in Pakistan) is a major tributary of the Jhelum river.
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🌊 Indus River System – Complete Geography Notes for UPSC & SSC
The Indus River System is one of the longest and most important river systems in the Indian subcontinent. It is not only geographically significant but also historically vital, as it nourished the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.
🔹 Origin
- Originates from Bokhar Chu glacier near Mount Kailash in Tibet.
- Known as the Singhi Khamban in its upper course.
🔹 Course
- Flows northwest through Ladakh in India.
- Enters Pakistan via Baltistan.
- Flows through Punjab and Sindh.
- Drains into the Arabian Sea near Karachi.
🔹 Major Tributaries
Right-Bank Tributaries:- Shyok River
- Gilgit River
- Kabul River
- Gomal River
- Jhelum
- Chenab
- Ravi
- Beas
- Sutlej
🔹 Basin Details
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Length | ~3,180 km |
| Basin Area | ~11.65 lakh sq. km |
| Area in India | ~3.21 lakh sq. km |
| States Covered | Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan |
🔹 Major Dams & Projects
- Bhakra Nangal Dam – Sutlej
- Pong Dam – Beas
- Uri & Kishanganga Projects – Jhelum
- Baglihar & Salal – Chenab
🔹 Indus Water Treaty (1960)
- Signed between India & Pakistan with World Bank assistance.
- Eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) for India.
- Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) for Pakistan.
- India can use western rivers with limits for irrigation, transport, hydropower.
🔹 Significance
- Historical – Cradle of Indus Valley Civilization.
- Agricultural – Fertile plains in Punjab & Sindh.
- Economic – Major hydropower, irrigation projects.
🔹 Environmental Concerns
- Glacial retreat due to climate change.
- Pollution from industrial waste.
- India-Pakistan water disputes in post-treaty era.
🔹 Quick Facts – One-Liners for MCQs
- Longest tributary – Chenab
- Indus Water Treaty year – 1960
- India's share – Eastern rivers
- River forming Bhakra Dam – Sutlej
- Historic civilization on Indus – Harappa
🔹 UPSC/SSC PYQs (Previous Year Questions)
- Q1: Indus River flows into which country?
👉 A. Pakistan ✅ - Q2: Which is the longest tributary of Indus?
👉 A. Chenab ✅ - Q3: Treaty regulating Indus water sharing?
👉 A. Indus Water Treaty ✅ - Q4: Origin point of Indus River?
👉 A. Bokhar Chu glacier ✅ - Q5: States covered by Indus Basin in India?
👉 A. J&K, HP, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan ✅
🔹 People Also Ask (FAQs)
- Q: Where does Indus originate?
A: Bokhar Chu glacier near Mount Kailash. - Q: What is Indus called in Tibet?
A: Singhi Khamban. - Q: Which dam is on Beas River?
A: Pong Dam. - Q: What are the five rivers of Punjab?
A: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej. - Q: Which rivers are India's share in IWT?
A: Ravi, Beas, Sutlej.
🖚 Conclusion
The Indus River System is crucial to both India and Pakistan from historical, geographical, and geopolitical perspectives. A clear understanding of its tributaries, dams, treaties, and challenges will benefit all competitive exam aspirants.