With reference to the river Indus, consider the following statements: 1. It flows through Baltistan and Gilgit. 2. It emerges from the mountains at Karachi. 3. It flows southwards eventually reaching the Bay of Bengal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is (a). Explanation The Indus River is one of the major trans-Himalayan rivers. It originates from a glacier near Bokhar Chu in the Tibetan region near Lake Manasarovar in the Kailash Mountain range. Its course traverses high-altitude mountain regions before descending into the plains. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: Upon entering India in the Ladakh district, the Indus flows in a north-westerly direction between the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges. It continues this course through Baltistan and Gilgit before turning southwards. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The river emerges from the mountains at Attock, where it receives the Kabul River on its right bank. Karachi is a coastal city located near the river's delta, far downstream from the point where the river leaves the mountainous terrain. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: The general flow of the Indus is south-westwards across the plains of Pakistan. It eventually discharges into the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi. The Bay of Bengal lies to the east of the Indian subcontinent and receives the drainage of the Ganga and Brahmaputra systems. Key Takeaway: The Indus River flows northwest through Ladakh, Baltistan, and Gilgit, emerges from the mountains at Attock, and drains into the Arabian Sea.

NCERT Class 9 Geography — Chapter 3: Drainage

mcqeasy

With reference to the river Indus, consider the following statements:

It flows through Baltistan and Gilgit.
It emerges from the mountains at Karachi.
It flows southwards eventually reaching the Bay of Bengal.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

The Indus River is one of the major trans-Himalayan rivers. It originates from a glacier near Bokhar Chu in the Tibetan region near Lake Manasarovar in the Kailash Mountain range. Its course traverses high-altitude mountain regions before descending into the plains.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: Upon entering India in the Ladakh district, the Indus flows in a north-westerly direction between the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges. It continues this course through Baltistan and Gilgit before turning southwards.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The river emerges from the mountains at Attock, where it receives the Kabul River on its right bank. Karachi is a coastal city located near the river's delta, far downstream from the point where the river leaves the mountainous terrain.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The general flow of the Indus is south-westwards across the plains of Pakistan. It eventually discharges into the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi. The Bay of Bengal lies to the east of the Indian subcontinent and receives the drainage of the Ganga and Brahmaputra systems.

Key Takeaway: The Indus River flows northwest through Ladakh, Baltistan, and Gilgit, emerges from the mountains at Attock, and drains into the Arabian Sea.

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

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Correct Option

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: Upon entering India in the Ladakh district, the Indus flows in a north-westerly direction between the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges. It continues this course through Baltistan and Gilgit before turning southwards.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The river emerges from the mountains at Attock, where it receives the Kabul River on its right bank. Karachi is a coastal city located near the river's delta, far downstream from the point where the river leaves the mountainous terrain.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The general flow of the Indus is south-westwards across the plains of Pakistan. It eventually discharges into the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi. The Bay of Bengal lies to the east of the Indian subcontinent and receives the drainage of the Ganga and Brahmaputra systems.

Key Takeaway: The Indus River flows northwest through Ladakh, Baltistan, and Gilgit, emerges from the mountains at Attock, and drains into the Arabian Sea.