Rivers have always been considered the lifeline of India. They support agriculture, provide drinking water, help in transportation, generate hydroelectricity, and hold great cultural and religious significance.
For GK and Competitive Exams (UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence, State PSC, etc.), the topic of Indian Rivers and Tributaries is very important.
This article provides the complete list of major Indian rivers and their tributaries (2025) divided into Himalayan Rivers, Peninsular Rivers, and West-Flowing Rivers.
🏔️ Himalayan Rivers
1. Indus River System
- Origin: Lake Mansarovar, Tibet
- Length (in India): ~1,114 km
- Flows through: Ladakh, J&K, Punjab, Pakistan
- Major Tributaries:
- Jhelum (Origin: Verinag, J&K)
- Chenab (Confluence of Chandra and Bhaga in Himachal Pradesh)
- Ravi (Origin: Himachal Pradesh)
- Beas (Origin: Rohtang Pass, HP)
- Sutlej (Origin: Lake Rakshastal, Tibet)
2. Ganga River System
- Origin: Gangotri Glacier (as Bhagirathi), Uttarakhand
- Length: 2,525 km (longest river of India)
- Flows through: Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal
- Major Tributaries:
- Left Bank: Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda
- Right Bank: Yamuna, Son, Punpun
3. Yamuna River System
- Origin: Yamunotri Glacier, Uttarakhand
- Length: ~1,376 km
- Tributaries: Chambal, Sindh, Betwa, Ken, Tons, Hindon
4. Brahmaputra River System
- Origin: Angsi Glacier, Tibet (as Tsangpo)
- Length (in India): 916 km
- Flows through: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam
- Major Tributaries:
- North Bank: Subansiri, Kameng, Manas, Dibang, Lohit
- South Bank: Dhansiri, Kopili, Burhi Dihing
Key GK Points
- Three Main Himalayan Rivers: Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra
- Perennial Nature: Fed by glaciers + rainfall
- Largest Delta in the World: Sundarbans (Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta)
- Longest River in India: Ganga (2,525 km)
- River known as Tsangpo in Tibet & Jamuna in Bangladesh: Brahmaputra
- Five Rivers of Punjab (tributaries of Indus): Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej
- Triveni Sangam (Prayagraj): Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati (mythical)
Peninsular Rivers
1. Godavari River System – “Dakshina Ganga”
- Origin: Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra
- Length: 1,465 km (longest peninsular river)
- Tributaries: Pravara, Manjira, Penganga, Wardha, Wainganga, Indravati, Sabari
2. Krishna River System
- Origin: Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
- Length: 1,400 km
- Tributaries: Bhima, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Tungabhadra, Musi
3. Cauvery River System
- Origin: Talakaveri, Karnataka (Western Ghats)
- Length: 800 km
- Tributaries: Hemavati, Arkavathi, Shimsha, Kabini, Bhavani, Amaravati
4. Mahanadi River System
- Origin: Sihawa, Chhattisgarh
- Length: 851 km
- Tributaries: Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, Ib, Ong, Jonk
5. Narmada River System
- Origin: Amarkantak Plateau, MP
- Length: 1,312 km
- Tributaries: Tawa, Hiran, Orsang, Kolar, Dudhi
6. Tapti (Tapi) River System
- Origin: Satpura ranges, MP
- Length: 724 km
- Tributaries: Purna, Girna, Panjhra
7. Other Important Rivers
- Sabarmati (Origin: Aravalli Hills, Rajasthan) – Tributaries: Hathmati, Wakal
- Mahi (Origin: Madhya Pradesh) – Tributaries: Som, Anas
Key GK Points
- Longest Peninsular River: Godavari (1,465 km)
- Second Longest: Krishna (1,400 km)
- Rivers forming largest delta: Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Cauvery
- West-Flowing Major Rivers: Narmada & Tapti
- River called Dakshina Ganga: Godavari
- River called Ganga of the South: Cauvery
- Peninsular rivers with hydroelectric power: Sharavathi, Periyar, Narmada
Major West-Flowing Rivers of India
1. Narmada River
- Origin: Amarkantak Plateau, Madhya Pradesh
- Length: 1,312 km
- Flows through: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat
- Tributaries: Tawa, Hiran, Orsang, Kolar, Dudhi
- Fact: Known as the “Lifeline of Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat”, it forms the Narmada Valley between Vindhya and Satpura ranges.
2. Tapti (Tapi) River
- Origin: Satpura Ranges, Multai (Madhya Pradesh)
- Length: 724 km
- Flows through: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat
- Tributaries: Purna, Girna, Panjhra, Vaghur
- Fact: Runs almost parallel to the Narmada before meeting the Arabian Sea near Surat.
3. Mandovi River (Goa)
- Origin: Western Ghats, Karnataka
- Length: ~81 km
- Tributaries: Surla, Mapusa, Khandepar
- Fact: Called the “lifeline of Goa”, used for navigation and water transport.
4. Zuari River (Goa)
- Origin: Western Ghats, Karnataka
- Length: ~92 km
- Tributaries: Kushavati, Uguem
- Fact: Together with Mandovi, it forms Goa’s major river system.
5. Sharavathi River (Karnataka)
- Origin: Western Ghats, Karnataka
- Length: ~128 km
- Fact: Famous for Jog Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in India.
6. Periyar River (Kerala)
- Origin: Western Ghats, Kerala
- Length: ~244 km (longest river in Kerala)
- Tributaries: Muthirapuzha, Mullayar, Cheruthoni, Perinjar
- Fact: Known as the “Lifeline of Kerala”, major source of irrigation and drinking water.
7. Other Notable West-Flowing Rivers
- Kali River (Karnataka) – Important for hydropower projects.
- Mandakini & Savitri Rivers (Maharashtra) – Flow through Konkan region.
- Bharathapuzha (Kerala) – Second-longest river in Kerala.
- Kundalika (Maharashtra) – Famous for water sports near Kolad.
📊 Key Facts for Exams
- Longest West-Flowing River: Narmada (1,312 km)
- Second Longest: Tapti (724 km)
- West-Flowing Rivers of Kerala: Periyar, Bharathapuzha
- West-Flowing Rivers of Goa: Mandovi, Zuari
- West-Flowing Rivers of Karnataka: Sharavathi, Kali
📝 Key GK Facts
- Longest River of India: Ganga (2,525 km)
- Longest River flowing through India (but originates outside): Indus
- Largest Peninsular River: Godavari
- West-flowing Major Rivers: Narmada & Tapti
- River with Most Tributaries: Ganga
- River known as Dakshina Ganga: Godavari
- Holy Rivers in Hinduism: Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati (mythical), Godavari, Narmada, Kaveri
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