Which one of the following major riveT basins of India is the shortest in length and smallest in terms of catchment area?

Based on the classification of major river basins in India, the Sabarmati is the shortest and has the smallest catchment area among the given options. Major river basins are defined as those with a catchment area exceeding 20,000 sq. km [2]. According to the descending order of basin area, the sequence is Cauvery (Kaveri), Pennar, Mahi, and then Sabarmati [1]. Specifically, the Cauvery drains an area of 81,155 sq. km with a length of 800 km [3]. In contrast, the Sabarmati basin is listed after the Mahi in the hierarchy of major basins [1]. While the Mahi and Pennar also belong to the major category, the Sabarmati represents the smallest of the four listed in terms of both its longitudinal extent and its total drainage area within the Indian river system classification [2].

Sources

1. [2] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > Important Drainage Patterns > p. 19
2. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > RIVER BASINS OF INDIA > p. 4
3. [3] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > River Systems of the Peninsular Drainage > p. 24