Study Document

By Niraj Kumar (Founder & Educator, BR DOT HUB) • Category: EXAM NOTES • Reading Time: 8 Mins • Updated: September 2026

Date Start: 01 Oct 2026, 08:00 AM

Published: true

Indian River Systems & Major Tributaries

Origin: Bokhar Chu glacier near Lake Manasarovar (Tibet).

Total Length: ~3,180 km (1,114 km in India).

Major Left Bank Tributaries: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej (Panjnad).

Indus Water Treaty (1960): India has unrestricted rights over Ravi, Beas, Sutlej; Pakistan over Indus, Jhelum, Chenab.

Origin: Bhagirathi from Gangotri glacier joins Alaknanda at Devprayag to form Ganga.

Panch Prayag Hierarchy:

Vishnuprayag: Alaknanda + Dhauliganga

Nandaprayag: Alaknanda + Nandakini

Karnaprayag: Alaknanda + Pindar

Rudraprayag: Alaknanda + Mandakini

Devprayag: Alaknanda + Bhagirathi

Right Bank Tributaries: Yamuna (largest), Son, Punpun, Damodar.

Left Bank Tributaries: Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi ("Sorrow of Bihar"), Mahananda.

Origin: Chemayungdung glacier near Mansarovar lake (Tibet as Tsangpo).

Entry in India: Enters Arunachal Pradesh through Dihang gorge.

Majuli Island: World's largest river island formed by Brahmaputra in Assam.

East Flowing (Bay of Bengal): Mahanadi, Godavari ("Dakshin Ganga" - largest peninsular river), Krishna, Kaveri.

West Flowing (Arabian Sea - Form Estuaries): Narmada (flows through rift valley between Vindhya and Satpura), Tapi, Sabarmati, Mahi.