NCERT Class 9 Geography — Chapter 3: Drainage

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Which river system, after entering Bangladesh and joining the Brahmaputra, eventually flows into the Bay of Bengal as the Meghna?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AThe Ganga
BThe Indus
CThe Yamuna
DThe Mahanadi

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

The Ganga

Explanation

The downstream trajectory of major Himalayan rivers as they traverse the Bengal Delta. It specifically tests knowledge of the nomenclature changes and confluences of the Ganga and Brahmaputra systems within Bangladesh.

Detailed Analysis

The Ganga: Originating in the Himalayas, the Ganga flows across northern India. It enters Bangladesh near Farakka, where its main distributary is known as the Padma.
Interaction with Brahmaputra: The Brahmaputra enters Bangladesh and takes the name Jamuna. The Jamuna joins the Padma.
Formation of the Meghna: The combined stream of the Padma and Jamuna flows southeast and merges with the Meghna River (which is fed by the Barak river system from India). From this confluence, the massive river flows into the Bay of Bengal under the name Meghna.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

The Yamuna The Yamuna: This is the longest tributary of the Ganga within India. It merges with the Ganga at Prayagraj and loses its independent identity long before the river reaches Bangladesh.
The Indus The Indus: The Indus river system flows westward through Ladakh and Pakistan, draining into the Arabian Sea. It is geographically distinct from the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta.
The Mahanadi The Mahanadi: This is a major Peninsular river that flows through Chhattisgarh and Odisha directly into the Bay of Bengal. It does not flow through Bangladesh.

Key Takeaway: In Bangladesh, the Ganga becomes the Padma, joins the Jamuna (Brahmaputra), and finally merges with the Meghna before discharging 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?

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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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Correct Option

The correct option is

The Ganga

Explanation

Detailed Analysis

The Ganga: Originating in the Himalayas, the Ganga flows across northern India. It enters Bangladesh near Farakka, where its main distributary is known as the Padma.
Interaction with Brahmaputra: The Brahmaputra enters Bangladesh and takes the name Jamuna. The Jamuna joins the Padma.
Formation of the Meghna: The combined stream of the Padma and Jamuna flows southeast and merges with the Meghna River (which is fed by the Barak river system from India). From this confluence, the massive river flows into the Bay of Bengal under the name Meghna.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

The Yamuna The Yamuna: This is the longest tributary of the Ganga within India. It merges with the Ganga at Prayagraj and loses its independent identity long before the river reaches Bangladesh.
The Indus The Indus: The Indus river system flows westward through Ladakh and Pakistan, draining into the Arabian Sea. It is geographically distinct from the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta.
The Mahanadi The Mahanadi: This is a major Peninsular river that flows through Chhattisgarh and Odisha directly into the Bay of Bengal. It does not flow through Bangladesh.

Key Takeaway: In Bangladesh, the Ganga becomes the Padma, joins the Jamuna (Brahmaputra), and finally merges with the Meghna before discharging into the Bay of Bengal.