UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies
Question 51: Geography
Consider the following statements:
- 1.There are no east flowing rivers in Kerala.
- 2.There are no west flowing rivers in Madhya Pradesh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Both statements are wrong. Kerala has three east-flowing rivers, the Kabini, Bhavani and Pambar, all tributaries of the Kaveri that drain eastwards into Tamil Nadu, although most of its rivers flow west. Madhya Pradesh has west-flowing rivers: the Narmada and Tapi flow west to the Arabian Sea. Both rivers are exceptions to the general eastward drainage of peninsular India.
- 1. The Kabini, Bhavani and Pambar flow east from Kerala.
- 2. The Narmada and Tapi flow west through Madhya Pradesh.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: The Kabini, Bhavani and Pambar flow east from Kerala.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: The Narmada and Tapi flow west through Madhya Pradesh.
Only (d) is left. This one needs every statement.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: Kerala has east-flowing rivers such as the Kabini.
- (b) Wrong: Madhya Pradesh has west-flowing rivers such as the Narmada and Tapi.
- (c) Wrong: both statements are false.
- (d) Right: neither statement is correct.
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.