List of Rivers in India, Origins, Length and Tributaries

In competitive exams, particularly in India, questions related to rivers hold the utmost importance as seen in the recent examination trend.  Rivers constitute the lifelines of civilizations and play crucial roles in shaping geographical, environmental, and socio-economic landscapes. Understanding their routes, tributaries, Names, and Old Names and Mastering the knowledge of river-related questions not only enhances one’s grasp of India’s diverse geography but also will help you score good marks in the Competitive Examination. Those who are not preparing for any examination should also stay updated about the rivers of India. 

Rivers in India

Many rivers in India flow eastward towards the Bay of Bengal, while others flow westward into the Arabian Sea. In regions like the northern Aravalli range, parts of Ladakh, and the Thar Desert, some rivers have internal drainage and do not drain into the Sea. India’s major rivers originate from three key areas: the Himalayas and Karakoram range, the Chota Nagpur plateau along with the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, and the Western Ghats.

For candidates preparing for defense exams such as NDA, CDS, AFCAT, CISF, CRPF, Indian Army Agniveer, Airforce, MNS Recruitment, Territorial Army, and others, focusing on essential general knowledge topics is crucial. An important topic is the list of rivers, including their lengths, sources, and tributaries. Understanding these details is beneficial for exam preparation.

Indian River System

Let’s understand some major River Systems with the help of a table containing information about their length –

Indus River System

• The Indus River originates from the northern slopes of the Kailash range in Tibet near Lake Mansarovar.
• It flows northwestward from Tibet.
• The river spans approximately 2897 km with numerous tributaries in India and Pakistan.
• About 700 km of the Indus River flows through India.
• Upon entering Jammu and Kashmir, it forms a gorge.
• In the Kashmir region, it merges with tributaries like the Zaskar, Shyok, Nubra, and Hunza.
• The river passes through Ladakh, Baltistan, and Gilgit, navigating between the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges in Leh.
• It forms a 5181 m deep gorge near Attock, north of Nanga Parbat.
• Major Indian tributaries include the Jhelum, Ravi, Chenab, Beas, and Sutlej rivers.

Brahmaputra River System

The Brahmaputra originates from Mansarovar Lake, which is also a source of the Indus and Sutlej.

• The Brahmaputra River stretches for 3848 km, slightly longer than the Indus River.
• Most of its course lies beyond the borders of India.
• It flows alongside the Himalayas in an eastward direction. Upon reaching Namcha Barwa, it makes a U-turn around the mountain and enters India through Arunachal Pradesh.
• The river’s erosion depth is around 5500 meters.
• In India, it is called the Dihang River and flows through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, receiving many tributaries along the way.
• In Assam, the Brahmaputra River has a braided channel for most of its length.

The river is known as the Tsangpo in Tibet. It receives less volume of water and has less silt in the Tibet region. But in India, the river passes through a region of heavy precipitation, and as such, the river carries large amounts of water during rainfall and a significant amount of silt. It is considered one of the largest rivers in India in terms of volume. It is known for creating calamities in Assam and Bangladesh.

You can also check the Complete List of Static General Knowledge

Ganga River System

The Ganga originates as the Bhagirathi from the Gangotri glacier.

• Before it reaches Devprayag in the Garhwal Division, the Mandakini, Pindar, Dhauliganga and Bishenganga rivers merge into the Alaknanda and the Bheling drain into the Bhagirathi.
• The Pindar River rises from East Trishul and Nanda Devi unites with the Alaknanda at Karan Prayag. The Mandakini meets at Rudraprayag.
• The water from both Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda flows in the name of the Ganga at Devprayag.

The concept of Panch Prayag

1. Vishnuprayag: where the river Alaknanda meets river Dhauli Ganga
2. Nandprayag: where river Alaknanda meets river Nandakini
3. Karnaprayag: where river Alaknanda meets river Pinder
4. Rudraprayag: where river Alaknanda meets river Mandakini
5. Devprayag: where river Alaknanda meets river Bhagirathi -GANGA

The principal tributaries of the Ganga are Yamuna, Damodar, Sapta Kosi, Ram Ganga, Gomati, Ghaghara, and Son. The river after travelling a distance of 2525 km from its source meets the Bay of Bengal.

Yamuna River System

The Yamuna River is the largest tributary of the Ganga River.

• It starts from the Yamunotri glacier at the Bandarpoonch peak in Uttarakhand.
• Its main tributaries are the Sin, Hindon, Betwa, Ken, and Chambal rivers.
• The Tons is the largest tributary of the Yamuna.
• The river’s catchment area covers Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.

Narmada River System

The Narmada is a river located in central India.

• Begins at the peak of Amarkantak Hill in Madhya Pradesh.
• Marks the historical boundary between North India and South India.
• One of the primary rivers in peninsular India, flowing from east to west.
• Passes through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
• Empties into the Arabian Sea in Gujarat’s Bharuch district.

Tapi River System

Tapi River is a central Indian river. It is one of the most important rivers of peninsular India with the run from east to west.

• It originates in the Eastern Satpura Range of southern Madhya Pradesh state.
• It flows in a westward direction, draining some important historic places like Madhya Pradesh’s Nimar region, East Vidarbha region and Maharashtra’s Khandesh in the northwest corner of the Deccan Plateau and South Gujarat before draining into the Gulf of Cambay of the Arabian Sea.
• The River Basin of Tapi River lies mostly in eastern and northern districts Maharashtra state.
• The river also covers some districts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat as well.
• The principal tributaries of Tapi River are Waghur River, Aner River, Girna River, Purna River, Panzara River and Bori River.

Godavari River System

The Godavari River is the second-longest course in India with brownish water which is about 1,450 km (900 miles) in length.

• The river is often referred to as the Dakshin (South) Ganga or Vriddh (Old) Ganga.
• It is a seasonal river, dried during the summers, and widens during the monsoons.
• This river originates from Trimbakeshwar, near Nasik in Maharashtra.
• It flows southeast across south-central India through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Orissa, and drains into the Bay of Bengal.
• The river splits into two streams thus forming a very fertile delta at Rajahmundry.
• The banks of this river have many pilgrimage sites, Nasik(MH), Bhadrachalam(TS), and Trimbak.
• Some of its tributaries include Pranahita (A combination of Penuganga and Warda), Indravati River, Bindusara, Sabari, and Manjira.
• Asia’s largest rail-cum-road bridge which is an engineering feat, links Kovvur and Rajahmundry is located on the river Godavari.

Krishna River System

Krishna is one of the longest rivers in India which is about 1300 km in length.

• It originates from Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra.
• It flows through Sangli and meets the sea in the Bay of Bengal.
• The river flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
• Tungabhadra River is the main tributary which itself is formed by the Tunga and Bhadra rivers that originate in the Western Ghats.
• Dudhganga Rivers, Koyna, Bhima, Mallaprabha, Dindi, Ghataprabha, Warna, Yerla, and Musi are some of the other tributaries.

Cauvery River System

The Kaveri (also spelt Cauvery or Kavery) is one of the great rivers of India and is considered sacred by the Hindus.

• It originates from Talakaveri of Tamil Nadu, located in the Western Ghats about 5,000 feet (1,500 m) above sea level.
• The Kaveri is also known as Dakshin Ganga.
• It is a famous pilgrimage and tourist place in the Kodagu district of Karnataka.
• The headwaters of the river are in the Western Ghats range of Karnataka state, and from Karnataka through Tamil Nadu.
• The river drains into the Bay of Bengal. The river supports irrigation for agriculture and is considered as a means of support of the ancient kingdoms and modern cities of South India.
• The river has many tributaries called Arkavathy, Shimsha, Hemavati, Kapila, Shimsha, Honnuhole, Amaravati, Lakshmana Kabini, Lokapavani, Bhavani, Noyyal, and Tirtha.

Mahanadi River System

The Mahanadi is a river in eastern India. The Mahanadi rises in the Satpura Range of central India and flows east to the Bay of Bengal.

• The Mahanadi drains most of the state of Chhattisgarh and much of Orissa and also Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
  Near the city of Sambalpur, a large dam – the Hirakud Dam – is built on the river.
• The Mahanadi rises in the Satpura Range of central India and It has a length of around 860 km.
• It flows east to the Bay of Bengal. The river drains in the state of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Orissa.
• The largest dam, the Hirakud Dam is built on the river.

Rivers in India, Their Lengths, Origins and Tributaries

The following list shows the names of rivers in India with their lengths, origins, and tributaries.

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Rivers of India Names with States

From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the fertile plains of the Indo-Gangetic basin, and the lush coastal regions, the rivers of India are the lifeblood of the nation, providing sustenance, livelihood, and a sense of belonging to the millions who call this land home. Check the State-wise list of Indian Rivers below  –

Longest Rivers of India

Given below is the list of the longest rivers in India along with their length –

India has many rivers, with the Ganges being the largest and the Arvari River the smallest. Rivers of India are necessary for agriculture, providing water for irrigation and drinking. They are also used for transportation, hydroelectric power generation, and industry. The Ganges holds religious significance, while the Brahmaputra is known for its fertile plains. Understanding India’s rivers is essential for appreciating their role in the country’s economy and culture.