UPSC Prelims 2015 · GS Paper I
Question 36: Geography
Consider the following rivers :
- 1.Vamsadhara
- 2.Indravati
- 3.Pranahita
- 4.Pennar
Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Indravati and Pranahita are tributaries of the Godavari. Pranahita carries the combined waters of the Wardha, Wainganga and Penganga. Vamsadhara is an independent east-flowing river between the Mahanadi and the Godavari, and Pennar is another independent east-flowing river in the south, so neither joins the Godavari. Only 2 and 3 are tributaries.
- 1. Vamsadhara flows independently to the Bay of Bengal.
- 2. Indravati is a major tributary of the Godavari.
- 3. Pranahita, carrying the Wardha, Wainganga and Penganga waters, joins the Godavari.
- 4. Pennar is an independent river of the south that drains into the Bay of Bengal.
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: Vamsadhara flows independently to the Bay of Bengal.
- Then, if you were sure statement 4 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 4.
What you needed to know: Pennar is an independent river of the south that drains into the Bay of Bengal.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statements 2 or 3.
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: Vamsadhara is an independent river flowing to the Bay of Bengal.
- (b) Wrong: Pennar is an independent river and not a Godavari tributary.
- (c) Wrong: neither Vamsadhara nor Pennar is a Godavari tributary.
- (d) Correct: Indravati and Pranahita join the Godavari.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.