NCERT Class 9 Geography — Chapter 3: Drainage

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Which river is joined by the tributaries Zaskar, Nubra, Shyok, and Hunza?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AThe Ganga
BThe Brahmaputra
CThe Yamuna
DThe Indus

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is

The Indus

Explanation

The Indus River system is one of the largest river basins in the world. It originates from a glacier near Bokhar Chu in the Tibetan region near Lake Mansarovar and flows northwest through India (Ladakh) and Pakistan before draining into the Arabian Sea.

Detailed Analysis:

The Indus River: Upon entering India in the Ladakh region, the Indus receives numerous Himalayan tributaries.
- The Zaskar river joins the Indus from the south (left bank) near Leh.
- The Shyok river, often called the "River of Death," joins the Indus from the north (right bank). The Nubra river is a major tributary of the Shyok.
- The Hunza river joins the Indus in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
- Other significant tributaries in this mountainous stretch include the Gilgit, Gasting, Dras, and Shigar.
The Brahmaputra: Its major tributaries include the Subansiri, Kameng, Dhansiri, Manas, and Teesta. It does not receive the Zaskar or Shyok.
The Ganga: Its major tributaries include the Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, and Son.
The Yamuna: It is a tributary of the Ganga itself. Its own major tributaries include the Chambal, Sind, Betwa, and Ken.

Key Takeaway: The Zaskar, Nubra, Shyok, and Hunza are specific Himalayan tributaries that join the Indus River during its course through the Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan regions.

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?

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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?

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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?

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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

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The correct option is

The Indus

Explanation

Detailed Analysis:

The Indus River: Upon entering India in the Ladakh region, the Indus receives numerous Himalayan tributaries.
- The Zaskar river joins the Indus from the south (left bank) near Leh.
- The Shyok river, often called the "River of Death," joins the Indus from the north (right bank). The Nubra river is a major tributary of the Shyok.
- The Hunza river joins the Indus in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
- Other significant tributaries in this mountainous stretch include the Gilgit, Gasting, Dras, and Shigar.
The Brahmaputra: Its major tributaries include the Subansiri, Kameng, Dhansiri, Manas, and Teesta. It does not receive the Zaskar or Shyok.
The Ganga: Its major tributaries include the Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, and Son.
The Yamuna: It is a tributary of the Ganga itself. Its own major tributaries include the Chambal, Sind, Betwa, and Ken.

Key Takeaway: The Zaskar, Nubra, Shyok, and Hunza are specific Himalayan tributaries that join the Indus River during its course through the Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan regions.