UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I
Question 25: Geography
Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information :
- 1.It has an antecedent drainage system.
- 2.It flows through three countries.
- 3.It originates in the Tibetan Plateau and is an important river for irrigation.
- 4.It does not form distributaries.
Select the answer from the following :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
The Sutlej fits every clue. It rises in the Tibetan Plateau near Rakshastal and Mansarovar, cuts through the Himalaya as an antecedent river, flows through China, India and Pakistan, and feeds large irrigation canals. It has no distributaries and ends by joining the Chenab. The Indus also crosses three countries but forms a delta in Pakistan with distributaries, the Brahmaputra splits into distributaries in Bangladesh, and the Teesta flows through only India and Bangladesh.
- 1. The Sutlej cuts the Himalaya as an antecedent river.
- 2. It flows through China, India and Pakistan.
- 3. It rises in the Tibetan Plateau and feeds large irrigation canals.
- 4. It joins the Chenab without forming distributaries.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: the Brahmaputra splits into distributaries in Bangladesh.
- (b) Wrong: the Indus forms a delta with distributaries in Pakistan.
- (c) Right: Sutlej is antecedent, runs through three countries, rises in Tibet and has no distributaries.
- (d) Wrong: the Teesta flows through two countries, India and Bangladesh.
Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.