RAS question
Which major river does NOT originate in Rajasthan?
Correct answer: (B) Chambal.
The Chambal River does not originate in Rajasthan; it rises near Mhow in Madhya Pradesh before entering Rajasthan.
Explanation
Chambal is the odd one out because its source lies outside Rajasthan. Its origin is the Janapav Hills near Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, and INDIA WRIS WIKI records the Chambal as rising in the Vindhyan range near Mhow in Indore district, Madhya Pradesh. It then flows northwards before entering Rajasthan, where it becomes the largest river associated with the state by water volume. This makes option B correct: the question is not asking which river is important in Rajasthan, but which major river does not begin there. Kantli, Luni and Banas are all tied to origins within Rajasthan, so they cannot satisfy the condition in the question.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Kantli is wrong because it originates in Sikar district, so it does begin in Rajasthan.
- (C) Luni is wrong because it originates from Nag Pahar in Ajmer, placing its source inside Rajasthan.
- (D) Banas is wrong because it originates in the Khamnor Hills of Rajsamand, and the India-WRIS page describes it as flowing through Rajasthan along its entire length.
Concept
This tests the Rajasthan drainage-system concept, especially whether aspirants can separate a river's importance within the state from its actual place of origin. RAS repeatedly uses such location-based distinctions in physical geography questions on rivers, basins and tributaries.