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RAS question

Which peninsular river has the largest basin area?

Correct answer: (A) Godavari.

The Godavari has the largest basin area among the Peninsular rivers, with a catchment area of 3.13 lakh sq km.

  1. (A)

    Godavari

  2. (B)

    Mahanadi

  3. (C)

    Krishna

  4. (D)

    Kaveri

Explanation

A basin is the area drained by a river and its tributaries, so drainage-basin size is distinct from river length or discharge. NCERT identifies the Godavari as the largest Peninsular river system and gives its catchment area as 3.13 lakh sq km. That places it ahead of Krishna at 2.59 lakh sq km and Mahanadi, which NCERT gives as 1.42 lakh sq km. Kaveri is much smaller at 81,155 sq km. Among the major Peninsular drainage systems, Godavari has the largest basin area.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (B) Mahanadi is a major Peninsular river, but its catchment area is 1.42 lakh sq km, well below Godavari's 3.13 lakh sq km.
  • (C) Krishna is the second-largest east-flowing Peninsular river and its 2.59 lakh sq km basin is smaller than Godavari's.
  • (D) Kaveri drains 81,155 sq km, so its basin is far smaller than Godavari, Krishna and Mahanadi.

Concept

Indian drainage-system geography compares river basins and catchment areas as core physical-geography facts. Peninsular river systems, their orientation and comparative basin sizes recur in RAS.

Source

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