{"id":1913,"date":"2025-04-14T16:00:39","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T10:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/?p=1913"},"modified":"2025-10-28T12:57:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T07:27:46","slug":"major-rivers-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/major-rivers-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Major Rivers in India, River System, Largest and Smallest Rivers in India!"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<label class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/label>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #127abf;color:#127abf\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #127abf;color:#127abf\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/major-rivers-in-india\/#Major_River_Systems_in_India\" >Major River Systems in India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/major-rivers-in-india\/#East_and_West_Flowing_Rivers\" >East and West Flowing Rivers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/major-rivers-in-india\/#Major_Rivers_in_India_FAQS\" >Major Rivers in India FAQS<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India, a land of diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is also home to numerous rivers that form an essential part of the country\u2019s ecological, cultural, and economic fabric. These rivers provide water for irrigation, drinking, industry, and transportation, making them indispensable to the lives of millions. The river systems of India are diverse, with major rivers flowing in different directions: from the Himalayas in the north to the peninsular region in the south, and from the east to the west.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We will explore some of the major rivers of India, their characteristics, tributaries, and states they flow through.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1915\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153401.png?resize=372%2C438&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"372\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153401.png?resize=255%2C300&amp;ssl=1 255w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153401.png?w=589&amp;ssl=1 589w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 372px) 100vw, 372px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>Image Credit: Maps of India<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_River_Systems_in_India\"><\/span><b>Major River Systems in India<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In India, rivers are grouped based on where they flow. Some rivers flow in the northern part of India, like the <\/span><b>Ganga<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Yamuna<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, starting from the Himalayas and moving towards the plains. Other rivers, like the <\/span><b>Godavari<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Krishna<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, flow in the southern part of the country, usually heading east and emptying into the Bay of Bengal. There are also rivers in the northeastern part of India, such as the <\/span><b>Brahmaputra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, that flow through hilly areas and into the plains.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rivers are also categorized by which direction they flow. Some rivers, like the <\/span><b>Ganga<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Brahmaputra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, flow east towards the Bay of Bengal, while others, like the <\/span><b>Narmada<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Tapi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, flow towards the west and empty into the Arabian Sea.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Also Read:\u00a0<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/national-parks-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Parks In India<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Indus River<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Indus River<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is one of the longest and most important rivers in the world. It <\/span><b>starts from the Tibetan Plateau<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Himalayas, flows through India, and then enters Pakistan before finally emptying into the Arabian Sea. The river is about 3,180 kilometers long, making it the longest river in India. It gets water from several big tributaries like the <\/span><b>Panjnad<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Shyok<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Dras<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Zanskar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The river passes through the regions of <\/span><b>Ladakh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Gujarat<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in India before reaching Pakistan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1916\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153501.png?resize=381%2C441&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"381\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153501.png?resize=259%2C300&amp;ssl=1 259w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153501.png?w=593&amp;ssl=1 593w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 381px) 100vw, 381px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>Image Credit: Maps of India<\/b><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Brahmaputra River<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Brahmaputra River<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is another important river that begins in Tibet, where it&#8217;s called the <\/span><b>Yarlung Tsangpo<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and enters India through Arunachal Pradesh. It flows through the states of <\/span><b>Assam<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>West Bengal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, covering about 2,880 kilometers. The river is very important because it helps create the fertile plains of Assam and provides water to much of North-East India. Some of its main tributaries are the <\/span><b>Lohit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Subansiri<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Teesta<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rivers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1917\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153621.png?resize=445%2C295&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"445\" height=\"295\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153621.png?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153621.png?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153621.png?w=916&amp;ssl=1 916w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Ganges River<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most famous river in India, the <\/span><b>Ganges (Ganga)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> holds immense cultural and spiritual significance. Originating from the <\/span><b>Gangotri Glacier<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the <\/span><b>Uttarakhand Himalayas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it flows across the northern plains of India, covering a length of about <\/span><b>2,525 kilometers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The river passes through several states, including <\/span><b>Uttarakhand<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Uttar Pradesh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Bihar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Jharkhand<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>West Bengal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Ganges is joined by numerous tributaries such as the <\/span><b>Yamuna<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Ghaghara<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Gomti<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Kosi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Son<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is one of the most important rivers not just for its size but for its role in religious and agricultural activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Also Read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/ramsar-sites-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ramsar sites in India\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1918\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153738.png?resize=454%2C251&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"454\" height=\"251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153738.png?resize=300%2C166&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153738.png?resize=768%2C425&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-153738.png?w=861&amp;ssl=1 861w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 454px) 100vw, 454px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Godavari River<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Godavari<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is one of the longest rivers in South India, often referred to as the <\/span><b>\u2018Dakshina Ganga\u2019<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (the Ganges of the South). Originating in the <\/span><b>Western Ghats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> near <\/span><b>Trimbak<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Maharashtra, it stretches for about <\/span><b>1,465 kilometers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before emptying into the <\/span><b>Bay of Bengal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Godavari flows through the states of <\/span><b>Maharashtra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Telangana<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Andhra Pradesh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The river has several important tributaries like the <\/span><b>Manjira<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Indravati<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Sabari<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Godavari basin is crucial for irrigation and agriculture in the regions it passes through.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1919\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154330.png?resize=466%2C255&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"466\" height=\"255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154330.png?resize=300%2C164&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154330.png?resize=768%2C420&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154330.png?w=965&amp;ssl=1 965w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Sutlej River<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Sutlej River<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is one of the major rivers in northern India and Pakistan. It originates from the <\/span><b>Tibetan Plateau<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in China and flows through the state of <\/span><b>Himachal Pradesh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before entering <\/span><b>Punjab<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in India and eventually crossing into <\/span><b>Pakistan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The river is about <\/span><b>1,450 kilometers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> long. It plays a crucial role in irrigation and provides water to the fertile plains of Punjab. The Sutlej is also important for hydroelectric power generation, with several dams built along its course, including the <\/span><b>Bhakra Nangal Dam<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1920\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154412.png?resize=458%2C243&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"458\" height=\"243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154412.png?resize=300%2C159&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154412.png?resize=768%2C407&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154412.png?w=985&amp;ssl=1 985w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 458px) 100vw, 458px\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-5575\" style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-107-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-5575 ml-slider has-dots-nav ms-theme-default-base\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"New Slideshow\" data-height=\"300\" data-width=\"700\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_5575\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_5575\">\n            <ul aria-live='off' class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-5579 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-10-11 11:47:58\" data-filename=\"400-X-180cdr-scaled-700x300.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/courses\/mains\/upsc-qep-2026-batch-5-english\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/400-X-180cdr-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"300\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-5575 slide-5579 msDefaultImage\" title=\"400 X 180cdr\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-5580 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-10-11 11:47:58\" data-filename=\"pocket-notes-website-400x180-1-scaled-700x300.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/courses\/upsc-cse-books\/qep-pocket-notes-2.0\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pocket-notes-website-400x180-1-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"300\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-5575 slide-5580 msDefaultImage\" title=\"pocket-notes-website-400x180\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-5581 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-10-11 11:47:58\" data-filename=\"web-site-banner-toppers-book.-400x180-1-scaled-700x300.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/courses\/upsc-cse-books\/toppers-handwritten-upsc-pyq-4-books\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/web-site-banner-toppers-book.-400x180-1-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"300\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-5575 slide-5581 msDefaultImage\" title=\"web site banner toppers book. 400x180\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><b>6. Krishna River<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Originating from the <\/span><b>Western Ghats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><b>Maharashtra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><b>Krishna River<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> flows across the Deccan Plateau before reaching the <\/span><b>Bay of Bengal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The total length of the Krishna is about <\/span><b>1,400 kilometers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is an important river for the states of <\/span><b>Maharashtra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Karnataka<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Telangana<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Andhra Pradesh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Major tributaries include the <\/span><b>Bhima<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Tungabhadra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Ghataprabha<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rivers. The Krishna River is integral to the agricultural economy of the southern states.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1921\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154524.png?resize=454%2C357&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"454\" height=\"357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154524.png?resize=300%2C236&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154524.png?resize=768%2C604&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154524.png?w=780&amp;ssl=1 780w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 454px) 100vw, 454px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><b>7. Yamuna River<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Yamuna<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is one of the longest rivers in India, flowing for approximately <\/span><b>1,376 kilometers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It originates from the <\/span><b>Yamunotri Glacier<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the <\/span><b>Himalayas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and flows through <\/span><b>Uttarakhand<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Uttar Pradesh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Haryana<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the <\/span><b>National Capital Territory of Delhi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before merging with the Ganges at <\/span><b>Prayagraj<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The river is fed by various tributaries such as the <\/span><b>Chambal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Betwa<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Ken<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rivers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1922\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154640.png?resize=469%2C269&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"469\" height=\"269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154640.png?resize=300%2C172&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154640.png?resize=768%2C439&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154640.png?w=979&amp;ssl=1 979w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 469px) 100vw, 469px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><b>8. Narmada River<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Narmada River<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> originates from the <\/span><b>Vindhya Range<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and flows westward through <\/span><b>Madhya Pradesh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Maharashtra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Gujarat<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before draining into the <\/span><b>Arabian Sea<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Narmada River is about <\/span><b>1,312 kilometers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> long, making it one of the largest west-flowing rivers in India. It is fed by tributaries like the <\/span><b>Kolar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Sher<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Tawa<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>9. Mahanadi River &#8211; The River of Chhattisgarh and Odisha<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Mahanadi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> originates from the <\/span><b>Eastern Ghats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><b>Chhattisgarh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and flows eastward through the state of <\/span><b>Odisha<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before emptying into the <\/span><b>Bay of Bengal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. With a length of around <\/span><b>900 kilometers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it is one of the important rivers of Eastern India. Major tributaries of the Mahanadi include the <\/span><b>Hasdeo<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Seonath<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Jonk<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Ong<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rivers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>10. Kaveri River<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Kaveri<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> River, originating from the <\/span><b>Western Ghats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><b>Karnataka<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, flows through the states of <\/span><b>Tamil Nadu<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and finally drains into the <\/span><b>Bay of Bengal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Kaveri is about <\/span><b>805 kilometers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> long and is considered one of the most important rivers for irrigation in South India. It is joined by major tributaries like the <\/span><b>Amaravati<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Hemavati<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Bhavani<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Noyyal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rivers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"East_and_West_Flowing_Rivers\"><\/span><b>East and West Flowing Rivers<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s rivers are classified into <\/span><b>east-flowing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>west-flowing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rivers based on their direction of flow. <\/span><b>East-flowing rivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as the <\/span><b>Ganges<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Mahanadi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Godavari<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Krishna<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, flow towards the <\/span><b>Bay of Bengal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, forming vast fertile plains and supporting agriculture. On the other hand, <\/span><b>west-flowing rivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like the <\/span><b>Narmada<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Tapi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Mahi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> flow towards the <\/span><b>Arabian Sea<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These rivers are relatively shorter and often pass through rift valleys or coastal regions, creating unique ecosystems. The difference in flow direction plays a significant role in the geographical distribution of water and resources across India.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1923\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154754.png?resize=521%2C321&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"521\" height=\"321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154754.png?resize=300%2C185&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154754.png?resize=768%2C473&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-22-154754.png?w=981&amp;ssl=1 981w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 521px) 100vw, 521px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>Image- West &amp; East Flowing Rivers Map<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_Rivers_in_India_FAQS\"><\/span><b>Major Rivers in India FAQS<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<style>#sp-ea-1914 .spcollapsing { height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition-property: height;transition-duration: 300ms;}#sp-ea-1914.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #e2e2e2; }#sp-ea-1914.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a {color: #444;}#sp-ea-1914.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body {background: #fff; color: #444;}#sp-ea-1914.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {background: #eee;}#sp-ea-1914.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon { float: left; color: #444;font-size: 16px;}.sp-ea-one.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a {\r\n  padding: 7px;\r\n  background: #fff;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a {\r\n  font-size: 1rem;\r\n}\r\n.sp-ea-one.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a .ea-expand-icon {\r\n  font-size: 1rem;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a .ea-expand-icon {\r\n  margin-right: 0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single{\r\n background: #fff;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.ea-expand a{\r\n  background: #cfe2ff !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion{\r\n  margin-bottom: 1rem;\r\n  margin-top: 1rem;\r\n}<\/style><div id=\"sp_easy_accordion-1742637699\"><div id=\"sp-ea-1914\" class=\"sp-ea-one sp-easy-accordion\" data-ea-active=\"ea-click\" data-ea-mode=\"vertical\" data-preloader=\"\" data-scroll-active-item=\"\" data-offset-to-scroll=\"0\"><div class=\"ea-card ea-expand sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-19140\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse19140\" aria-controls=\"collapse19140\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-minus\"><\/i> What is the longest river in India?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse collapsed show\" id=\"collapse19140\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-1914\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-19140\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Indus River is the longest river in India, stretching about 3,180 kilometers, originating in the Tibetan Plateau and flowing into Pakistan before draining into the Arabian Sea.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-19141\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse19141\" aria-controls=\"collapse19141\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Where does the Ganges River originate?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse19141\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-1914\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-19141\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Ganges River originates from the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand. It travels across northern India and is vital for agriculture, religious activities, and the livelihood of millions.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-19142\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse19142\" aria-controls=\"collapse19142\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> What is the smallest river in India?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse19142\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-1914\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-19142\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>River Tamraparni<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, located in <\/span><b>Tamil Nadu<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, is one of the smallest rivers in India. It flows through the Western Ghats and is approximately 113 kilometers long.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-19143\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse19143\" aria-controls=\"collapse19143\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> How do the east-flowing rivers differ from west-flowing rivers?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse19143\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-1914\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-19143\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">East-flowing rivers like the Ganges and Godavari flow towards the Bay of Bengal, supporting agriculture. West-flowing rivers like the Narmada and Tapi flow towards the Arabian Sea.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-19144\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse19144\" aria-controls=\"collapse19144\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> What are the major tributaries of the Brahmaputra River?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse19144\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-1914\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-19144\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The major tributaries of the Brahmaputra River include the Lohit, Subansiri, and Teesta rivers. These tributaries contribute significantly to its water volume and floodplain creation in Northeast India.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore the major rivers of India, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Godavari, &#038; more. Learn about their origins, tributaries, and significance across regions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1913"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1913\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6307,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1913\/revisions\/6307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}