With reference to the Godavari Basin, consider the following statements: 1. It is the largest Peninsular river. 2. It rises from the slopes of the Western Ghats in the Nasik district of Maharashtra. 3. About 90 per cent of the basin area lies in Maharashtra. 4. The river drains into the Arabian Sea. Which of the statements given above are correct?

NCERT Class 9 Geography — Chapter 3: Drainage

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With reference to the Godavari Basin, consider the following statements:

It is the largest Peninsular river.
It rises from the slopes of the Western Ghats in the Nasik district of Maharashtra.
About 90 per cent of the basin area lies in Maharashtra.
The river drains into the Arabian Sea.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C3 and 4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

The Godavari is the largest river system in Peninsular India and the second largest in India after the Ganga. Due to its size and extent, it is often referred to as the 'Dakshin Ganga'.

Statement 1 is Correct: The Godavari is the largest Peninsular river. It has a length of approximately 1,465 km, covering a vast area of the Deccan Plateau.

Statement 2 is Correct: The river rises from the slopes of the Western Ghats near Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.

Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Godavari basin extends over Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, with smaller parts in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Puducherry. Approximately 49-50 per cent of the basin area lies in Maharashtra, while the remaining area is distributed among the other states. It is not 90 per cent.

Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Godavari is an East-flowing river. It traverses the Peninsular plateau from west to east and drains into the Bay of Bengal, forming a fertile delta.

Key Takeaway: The Godavari is the longest Peninsular river, originating in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and flowing east into the Bay of Bengal. Its basin is shared primarily by Maharashtra (approx. 50%), Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.

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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The correct option is (a).

Explanation

The Godavari is the largest river system in Peninsular India and the second largest in India after the Ganga. Due to its size and extent, it is often referred to as the 'Dakshin Ganga'.

Statement 1 is Correct: The Godavari is the largest Peninsular river. It has a length of approximately 1,465 km, covering a vast area of the Deccan Plateau.

Statement 2 is Correct: The river rises from the slopes of the Western Ghats near Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.

Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Godavari is an East-flowing river. It traverses the Peninsular plateau from west to east and drains into the Bay of Bengal, forming a fertile delta.