India, with its diverse geography and unique topography, is blessed with a vast network of rivers, dams, and reservoirs. These water bodies not only provide water for irrigation, drinking, and power generation but also serve as essential components for the country’s economy and ecosystem. Understanding these features is vital for aspirants preparing for the AFCAT 1 2025 Exam, as questions from this section are frequently asked in the General Knowledge portion.
AFCAT 1 2025 Exam Static GK – Rivers, Dams & Reservoirs of India
Major Rivers of India
India’s river system can be divided into Himalayan Rivers and Peninsular Rivers, both of which play critical roles in agriculture, water supply, and hydropower generation.
- Ganga River:
- Origin: Gangotri Glacier, Uttarakhand
- Length: 2,525 km
- Significance: The Ganga is the most sacred river in India, flowing through the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. It forms the world’s largest delta, the Sundarbans, at its mouth.
- Yamuna River:
- Origin: Yamunotri Glacier, Uttarakhand
- Length: 1,376 km
- Significance: It is the largest tributary of the Ganga, flowing through Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Brahmaputra River:
- Origin: Angsi Glacier, Tibet (China)
- Length: 2,900 km (916 km in India)
- Significance: Known for its strong currents, the Brahmaputra flows through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and merges with the Ganga to form the Bengal Delta.
- Narmada River:
- Origin: Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh
- Length: 1,312 km
- Significance: It flows westward through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, forming the Narmada Valley, an agriculturally rich region.
- Godavari River:
- Origin: Trimbak, Maharashtra
- Length: 1,465 km
- Significance: Known as the ‘Dakshin Ganga’, it is the second-longest river in India, flowing through Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.
- Krishna River:
- Origin: Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
- Length: 1,400 km
- Significance: The Krishna River is crucial for agriculture in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Cauvery River:
- Origin: Talakaveri, Karnataka
- Length: 800 km
- Significance: The Cauvery is a major river in southern India, playing a vital role in the irrigation systems of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Important Dams of India
India has constructed several major dams across its rivers to harness water for irrigation, hydroelectric power, and flood control. The following are some of the most significant dams:
- Bhakra Nangal Dam (Himachal Pradesh):
- River: Sutlej
- Height: 226 meters
- Significance: One of the highest gravity dams in the world, it provides irrigation to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan and supports hydroelectric power generation.
- Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand):
- River: Bhagirathi
- Height: 260.5 meters
- Significance: The tallest dam in India, the Tehri Dam is a key source of electricity generation and water supply for northern India.
- Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat):
- River: Narmada
- Height: 163 meters
- Significance: Part of the Narmada Valley Project, this dam supplies water to Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh and supports irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectricity.
- Hirakud Dam (Odisha):
- River: Mahanadi
- Length: 25.8 km (longest earthen dam)
- Significance: The dam provides water for irrigation, power generation, and flood control in Odisha.
- Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (Telangana):
- River: Krishna
- Height: 124 meters
- Significance: One of the largest masonry dams in the world, it plays a key role in the irrigation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
- Indira Sagar Dam (Madhya Pradesh):
- River: Narmada
- Height: 92 meters
- Significance: It forms the largest reservoir in India by water capacity and is crucial for irrigation and power generation.
- Mullaperiyar Dam (Kerala):
- River: Periyar
- Height: 53.6 meters
- Significance: Built during the British era, it provides water to Tamil Nadu and Kerala for irrigation purposes.
Major Reservoirs of India
Reservoirs are storage systems created by building dams across rivers. These reservoirs serve multiple purposes such as irrigation, power generation, drinking water supply, and flood control.
- Gobind Sagar (Himachal Pradesh):
- Associated Dam: Bhakra Nangal Dam
- Significance: One of the largest reservoirs in India, it supports agriculture in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
- Nagarjuna Sagar (Telangana):
- Associated Dam: Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
- Significance: The reservoir created by this dam is one of the largest in India, providing water for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.
- Indira Sagar (Madhya Pradesh):
- Associated Dam: Indira Sagar Dam
- Significance: The largest reservoir by water capacity in India, supporting irrigation and power generation across central India.
- Srisailam Reservoir (Andhra Pradesh):
- Associated Dam: Srisailam Dam
- Significance: The Srisailam Reservoir serves as an important water source for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, helping both agriculture and power generation.
Conclusion
The rivers, dams, and reservoirs of India form the backbone of the country’s water management systems. These water bodies not only provide irrigation and power but also sustain millions of people in different parts of the country. For AFCAT 1 2025 aspirants, this topic remains crucial as it provides insight into India’s geographical and environmental diversity, making it a significant component of the General Knowledge section. Understanding the strategic importance of rivers and dams is essential for future Air Force officers who will serve in various regions across the country.
