UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies
Question 43: Geography
At which one of the following places do two important rivers of India originate; while one of them flows towards north and merges with another important river flowing towards Bay of Bengal, the other one flows towards Arabian Sea ?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Amarkantak, in the Maikal range of Madhya Pradesh, is the source of the Narmada and the Son. The Narmada flows west through a rift valley into the Arabian Sea. The Son flows north-east and joins the Ganga near Patna; the Ganga then flows to the Bay of Bengal. The other places are sources of other rivers: Badrinath for the Alaknanda, Mahabaleshwar for the Krishna, and Nasik (Trimbak) for the Godavari.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: Amarkantak is the source of both the Narmada and the Son.
- (b) Badrinath is on the Alaknanda, a Ganga headstream, not the source of the Narmada and Son.
- (c) Mahabaleshwar is the source of the Krishna.
- (d) Nasik (Trimbak) is the source of the Godavari.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.