NCERT Class 9 Geography — Chapter 3: Drainage

mcqeasy

The Sundarban Delta is formed by the confluence of which of the following river systems?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AThe Ganga and the Yamuna
BThe Brahmaputra and the Teesta
CThe Mahanadi and the Godavari
DThe Ganga and the Brahmaputra

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is

The Ganga and the Brahmaputra

Explanation

The Sundarban Delta is the largest delta in the world, located in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. It is a massive depositional landform created by the confluence of major Himalayan river systems emptying into the Bay of Bengal.

Detailed Analysis:

The delta is formed by the super-confluence of the Ganga, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna rivers.
The River Ganga flows eastward and enters Bangladesh as the Padma.
The River Brahmaputra flows south into Bangladesh as the Jamuna.
These two massive river systems merge (along with the Meghna) and discharge into the Bay of Bengal. The sediment deposited by this process creates the Sundarban Delta.
The Ganga and the Yamuna is incorrect: The Yamuna is the largest tributary of the Ganga, but their confluence occurs at Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam), which is far upstream in the plains, not at the delta.
The Brahmaputra and the Teesta is incorrect: The Teesta is a tributary that joins the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) in Bangladesh. While part of the system, the delta is defined by the primary confluence of the Ganga and Brahmaputra mainstreams.
The Mahanadi and the Godavari is incorrect: The Mahanadi and Godavari are Peninsular rivers that form their own separate deltas on the eastern coast of India (in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, respectively).

Key Takeaway: The Sundarban Delta is formed by the combined waters and sediment load of the Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems before they empty into the Bay of Bengal.

Your note

More from Chapter 3: Drainage

With reference to the Brahmaputra River System, consider the following statements: 1. It rises in Tibet east of Mansarowar lake. 2. On reaching the Namcha Barwa, it takes a ‘U’ turn and enters India in Sikkim. 3. In Tibet, the river carries a large volume of water and silt due to the cold and dry conditions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the Indus River System: 1. The river Indus rises in Tibet, near Lake Mansarowar. 2. It enters India in the state of Himachal Pradesh. 3. The Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab, and the Jhelum join together to enter the Indus near Karachi in Pakistan. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the Ganga River System, consider the following statements: 1. The headwaters of the Ganga, called the ‘Bhagirathi’, is fed by the Gangotri Glacier. 2. At Varanasi, the Ganga emerges from the mountains on to the plains. 3. The Yamuna flows perpendicular to the Ganga and meets it at Patna. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following pairs of rivers and their descriptions: Pair | Description 1. Narmada | Flows in a rift valley formed due to faulting 2. Tapi | Rises in the Satpura ranges in the Betul district 3. Godavari | Its drainage basin is the largest among the peninsular rivers 4. Mahanadi | Rises in the highlands of Chhattisgarh How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

easy

Which of the following rivers is NOT a tributary of the Godavari?

easy

Keep practising Chapter 3: Drainage

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 9 Geography chapters

The correct option is

The Ganga and the Brahmaputra

Explanation

Detailed Analysis:

The delta is formed by the super-confluence of the Ganga, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna rivers.
The River Ganga flows eastward and enters Bangladesh as the Padma.
The River Brahmaputra flows south into Bangladesh as the Jamuna.
These two massive river systems merge (along with the Meghna) and discharge into the Bay of Bengal. The sediment deposited by this process creates the Sundarban Delta.
The Ganga and the Yamuna is incorrect: The Yamuna is the largest tributary of the Ganga, but their confluence occurs at Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam), which is far upstream in the plains, not at the delta.
The Brahmaputra and the Teesta is incorrect: The Teesta is a tributary that joins the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) in Bangladesh. While part of the system, the delta is defined by the primary confluence of the Ganga and Brahmaputra mainstreams.
The Mahanadi and the Godavari is incorrect: The Mahanadi and Godavari are Peninsular rivers that form their own separate deltas on the eastern coast of India (in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, respectively).

Key Takeaway: The Sundarban Delta is formed by the combined waters and sediment load of the Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems before they empty into the Bay of Bengal.