With reference to the drainage patterns, consider the following statements: 1. The Indus plain has a very steep slope. 2. The Ganga develops large meanders because the fall in its slope is just one metre for every 6 km. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is (b). Explanation The flow characteristics and channel patterns of rivers in the Northern Plains are primarily determined by the gradient of the terrain. In their mature and old stages, rivers flowing through flat plains with low gradients exhibit reduced velocity, leading to deposition and the formation of meanders. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Indus plain is a vast, flat depositional surface formed by the alluvial deposits of the Indus and its tributaries. It does not possess a steep slope; on the contrary, it is characterized by an extremely gentle gradient, similar to the Ganga plain. - Statement 2 is Correct. The Ganga plain has an extremely gentle slope. Ambala, which is located on the water divide between the Indus and the Ganga river systems, has an elevation of approximately 291 meters above mean sea level. The river flows towards the Sunderbans, which is near sea level, covering a distance of about 1,800 km. This results in a gradient drop of roughly 300 meters over 1,800 km, or approximately one meter for every 6 km. This negligible slope causes the river to flow sluggishly and develop large meanders. Key Takeaway: The meandering nature of the Ganga in the plains is a direct geographical consequence of its extremely low gradient (1 meter drop per 6 km), which promotes lateral erosion over vertical downcutting.

NCERT Class 9 Geography — Chapter 3: Drainage

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With reference to the drainage patterns, consider the following statements:

The Indus plain has a very steep slope.
The Ganga develops large meanders because the fall in its slope is just one metre for every 6 km.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

The flow characteristics and channel patterns of rivers in the Northern Plains are primarily determined by the gradient of the terrain. In their mature and old stages, rivers flowing through flat plains with low gradients exhibit reduced velocity, leading to deposition and the formation of meanders.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Indus plain is a vast, flat depositional surface formed by the alluvial deposits of the Indus and its tributaries. It does not possess a steep slope; on the contrary, it is characterized by an extremely gentle gradient, similar to the Ganga plain.
Statement 2 is Correct. The Ganga plain has an extremely gentle slope. Ambala, which is located on the water divide between the Indus and the Ganga river systems, has an elevation of approximately 291 meters above mean sea level. The river flows towards the Sunderbans, which is near sea level, covering a distance of about 1,800 km. This results in a gradient drop of roughly 300 meters over 1,800 km, or approximately one meter for every 6 km. This negligible slope causes the river to flow sluggishly and develop large meanders.

Key Takeaway: The meandering nature of the Ganga in the plains is a direct geographical consequence of its extremely low gradient (1 meter drop per 6 km), which promotes lateral erosion over vertical downcutting.

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?

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

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Correct Option

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Indus plain is a vast, flat depositional surface formed by the alluvial deposits of the Indus and its tributaries. It does not possess a steep slope; on the contrary, it is characterized by an extremely gentle gradient, similar to the Ganga plain.
Statement 2 is Correct. The Ganga plain has an extremely gentle slope. Ambala, which is located on the water divide between the Indus and the Ganga river systems, has an elevation of approximately 291 meters above mean sea level. The river flows towards the Sunderbans, which is near sea level, covering a distance of about 1,800 km. This results in a gradient drop of roughly 300 meters over 1,800 km, or approximately one meter for every 6 km. This negligible slope causes the river to flow sluggishly and develop large meanders.