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Q83 (IAS/2021) Geography › Indian Physical Geography › Himalayan river systems Official Key

With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus direct?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 4: Sutlej. This question requires an understanding of the river hierarchy within the Panjnad system. According to standard geographical references and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the Sutlej is the primary river that receives the collective flow of the other three tributaries before merging with the Indus.

The drainage pattern follows this sequence:

  • The Jhelum joins the Chenab near Jhang.
  • The Ravi joins the Chenab further downstream.
  • This combined flow of the Chenab then joins the Sutlej at Uch Sharif to form the Panjnad river.

While the Chenab carries a larger volume of water, the Sutlej is considered the principal channel that "joins the Indus direct" at Mithankot after absorbing the combined waters of the Jhelum, Chenab, and Ravi. Therefore, Sutlej is the final recipient among these four before the ultimate confluence with the Indus.

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Q. With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct.…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 2.5/10 · 7.5/10

This is a pure NCERT map-reading test disguised as a riddle. It requires zero current affairs. The question simply converts the textual description of confluences in NCERT Class XI (Chapter 3) into a logic puzzle. If you only memorized the list of rivers without visualizing who-feeds-whom, you walked into the trap.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Does the Chenab River receive the Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej rivers and then join the Indus River directly?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 21
Presence: 5/5
“discharges into the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi. The Indus flows in India through Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. The Jhelum, an important tributary of the Indus, rises from a spring at Verinag situated at the foot of the Pir Panjal in the south-eastern part of the valley of Kashmir. It flows through Srinagar and the Wular lake before entering Pakistan through a deep narrow gorge. It joins the Chenab near Jhang in Pakistan. The Chenab is the largest tributary of the Indus. It is formed by two streams, the Chandra and the Bhaga, which join at Tandi near Keylong in Himachal Pradesh.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states that the Jhelum joins the Chenab near Jhang in Pakistan.
  • Directly supports the part of the statement that Chenab receives the Jhelum.
CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Indus River System > p. 18
Presence: 4/5
“The river Indus rises in Tibet, near Lake Mansarowar. Flowing west, it enters India in the Ladakh. It forms a picturesque gorge in this part. Several tributaries, the Zaskar, the Nubra, the Shyok and the Hunza, join it in the Kashmir region. The Indus flows through Baltistan and Gilgit and emerges from the mountains at Attock. The Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum join together to enter the Indus near Mithankot in Pakistan. Beyond this, the Indus flows southwards eventually reaching the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi. The Indus plain has a very gentle slope. With a total length of 2900 km, the Indus is one of the longest rivers of the world.”
Why this source?
  • Says the Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum join together to enter the Indus near Mithankot.
  • Supports the idea that these rivers combine and then enter the Indus (i.e., a collective confluence before joining Indus).
INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 20
Presence: 4/5
“They all originate in the Sulaiman ranges. The river flows southward and receives 'Panjnad' a little above Mithankot. The Panjnad is the name given to the five rivers of Punjab, namely the Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum. It finally”
Why this source?
  • Defines Panjnad as the combined name for the five rivers (Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum).
  • States the Indus receives the Panjnad a little above Mithankot, linking the combined flow to the Indus confluence.
Statement 2
Does the Jhelum River receive the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers and then join the Indus River directly?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Jhelum river discharges onto the Chenab river at the Trimmu barrage. From there, the Punjnad (Chenab) river acts as the collector for the other three upstream rivers and ultimately discharges into the Indus river about 40 km downstream from the Panjnad barrage."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the Jhelum discharges into the Chenab (so Jhelum does not receive Chenab).
  • Explains that the Chenab (as Panjnad/collector) gathers the other rivers and then discharges into the Indus.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Jhelum and Ravi rivers flow into the Chenab River and the Beas flows into the Sutlej River. The Chenab and Sutlej combine at Panjnad Barrage prior to flowing into the Indus."
Why this source?
  • States that the Jhelum and Ravi flow into the Chenab, so they join the Chenab rather than Jhelum receiving them.
  • States the Chenab and Sutlej combine at Panjnad before flowing into the Indus, confirming the collector role of Chenab/Panjnad.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej Rivers of Pakistan join the Indus River in Panjnad before emptying into the Arabian Sea."
Why this source?
  • Indicates the four rivers (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej) join at Panjnad before entering the Indus, addressing where they combine.
  • Supports that the confluence to the Indus occurs via Panjnad rather than Jhelum directly joining the Indus after receiving others.

CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Indus River System > p. 18
Strength: 5/5
“The river Indus rises in Tibet, near Lake Mansarowar. Flowing west, it enters India in the Ladakh. It forms a picturesque gorge in this part. Several tributaries, the Zaskar, the Nubra, the Shyok and the Hunza, join it in the Kashmir region. The Indus flows through Baltistan and Gilgit and emerges from the mountains at Attock. The Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum join together to enter the Indus near Mithankot in Pakistan. Beyond this, the Indus flows southwards eventually reaching the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi. The Indus plain has a very gentle slope. With a total length of 2900 km, the Indus is one of the longest rivers of the world.”
Why relevant

States that the Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum join together to enter the Indus near Mithankot — implying these five rivers combine before meeting the Indus.

How to extend

A student could use a map to check whether the Jhelum separately receives the others or whether they meet as a combined Panjnad before the Indus.

INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 20
Strength: 5/5
“They all originate in the Sulaiman ranges. The river flows southward and receives 'Panjnad' a little above Mithankot. The Panjnad is the name given to the five rivers of Punjab, namely the Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum. It finally”
Why relevant

Defines 'Panjnad' as the five rivers of Punjab (Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum) which the river receives a little above Mithankot, implying a single combined outflow into the Indus.

How to extend

Compare locations of Panjnad and Mithankot on a map to infer how the rivers merge relative to the Indus.

INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 21
Strength: 5/5
“discharges into the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi. The Indus flows in India through Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. The Jhelum, an important tributary of the Indus, rises from a spring at Verinag situated at the foot of the Pir Panjal in the south-eastern part of the valley of Kashmir. It flows through Srinagar and the Wular lake before entering Pakistan through a deep narrow gorge. It joins the Chenab near Jhang in Pakistan. The Chenab is the largest tributary of the Indus. It is formed by two streams, the Chandra and the Bhaga, which join at Tandi near Keylong in Himachal Pradesh.”
Why relevant

Explicitly calls Jhelum 'an important tributary' that 'joins the Chenab near Jhang in Pakistan', indicating Jhelum flows into Chenab rather than receiving Chenab or the others.

How to extend

Use river-course maps to confirm the direction of flow at Jhang/Trimmu to see which river is the tributary.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > The Jhelum (Vitasta) > p. 10
Strength: 4/5
“The Jhelum rises from a spring at Verinag in the south-eastern part of the Valley of Kashmir. It flows north-westward for about 110 km where it enters the Wular Lake. Further downstream from Baramula, it enters a gorge, 2130 m deep, and moves towards Muzaffarabad (Pakistan). It joins the Chenab at Trimmu. Its gradient is gentle in the entire Vale of Kashmir and it is thus navigable between Anantnag and Baramulla. It is the most important river of Kashmir.”
Why relevant

Gives a specific confluence: the Jhelum 'joins the Chenab at Trimmu', providing a concrete example of Jhelum feeding into Chenab.

How to extend

Locate Trimmu on a map to verify that Jhelum meets Chenab there and does not separately collect Sutlej or Ravi upstream.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > SHIFTING COURSES OF THE RIVERS > p. 24
Strength: 3/5
“Similar shifting has also been observed in the rivers of the Punjab during the historical past. The records of the third century BC show that the Indus flowed more than 130 km east of its present course, through the now practically dry beds of the deserted channel, to the Rann of Kutch which was then a gulf of the Arabian Sea. Later on, it gradually shifted towards the west and occupied its present position. During the reign of Akbar the Great, the Chenab and Jhelum rivers joined the Indus near Uch (Pakistan), but their present confluence lies near Mithankot about 100 km downstream of the old place of confluence.”
Why relevant

Notes historical shifts: during Akbar's reign Chenab and Jhelum joined the Indus near Uch, whereas now their confluence is near Mithankot, showing the rivers in this region tend to merge before entering the Indus.

How to extend

Consider historical vs present confluence points on maps to judge whether the Jhelum acts as a main receiver or is part of a merged system entering the Indus.

Statement 3
Does the Ravi River receive the Chenab, Jhelum and Sutlej rivers and then join the Indus River directly?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Jhelum river discharges onto the Chenab river at the Trimmu barrage. ... From there, the Punjnad (Chenab) river acts as the collector for the other three upstream rivers and ultimately discharges into the Indus river about 40 km downstream from the Panjnad barrage."
Why this source?
  • Describes Jhelum discharging into the Chenab, not the Ravi receiving Jhelum.
  • States Panjnad (collector) gathers the upstream rivers and then discharges into the Indus downstream of Panjnad.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Jhelum and Ravi rivers flow into the Chenab River and the Beas flows into the Sutlej River. The Chenab and Sutlej combine at Panjnad Barrage prior to flowing into the Indus."
Why this source?
  • States that the Jhelum and Ravi flow into the Chenab, so Ravi does not receive those rivers.
  • Notes Chenab and Sutlej combine at Panjnad prior to flowing into the Indus.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The Panjnad river (river reach from junction of the Chenab and Sutlej rivers to the Indus River) ... It captures the runoff and flow from the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej-Beas rivers and their catchments."
Why this source?
  • Explains Panjnad captures runoff and flow from Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej-Beas.
  • Implies these rivers' flows are collected at Panjnad before joining the Indus, not that Ravi receives the others.

CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Indus River System > p. 18
Strength: 5/5
“The river Indus rises in Tibet, near Lake Mansarowar. Flowing west, it enters India in the Ladakh. It forms a picturesque gorge in this part. Several tributaries, the Zaskar, the Nubra, the Shyok and the Hunza, join it in the Kashmir region. The Indus flows through Baltistan and Gilgit and emerges from the mountains at Attock. The Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum join together to enter the Indus near Mithankot in Pakistan. Beyond this, the Indus flows southwards eventually reaching the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi. The Indus plain has a very gentle slope. With a total length of 2900 km, the Indus is one of the longest rivers of the world.”
Why relevant

States that the Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum join together to enter the Indus near Mithankot, implying a combined entry (Panjnad) rather than each river entering Indus separately.

How to extend

A student could use a map to locate Mithankot and check whether these rivers meet each other before the Indus rather than each joining the Indus directly.

INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 20
Strength: 5/5
“They all originate in the Sulaiman ranges. The river flows southward and receives 'Panjnad' a little above Mithankot. The Panjnad is the name given to the five rivers of Punjab, namely the Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum. It finally”
Why relevant

Explains the term 'Panjnad' as the combined name of the five Punjab rivers (Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum) and says the Indus receives 'Panjnad' above Mithankot.

How to extend

One could trace the Panjnad channel on a map to see which rivers merge into it and where it meets the Indus to judge if Ravi first joins other rivers.

INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 21
Strength: 4/5
“Hence, it is also known as Chandrabhaga. The river flows for 1,180 km before entering into Pakistan. The Ravi is another important tributary of the Indus. It rises west of the Rohtang pass in the Kullu hills of Himachal Pradesh and flows through the Chamba valley of the state. Before entering Pakistan and joining the Chenab near Sarai Sidhu, it drains the area lying between the southeastern part of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges. The Beas is another important tributary of the Indus, originating from the Beas Kund near the Rohtang Pass at an elevation of 4,000 m above the mean sea level.”
Why relevant

Says the Ravi joins the Chenab near Sarai Sidhu before entering Pakistan, indicating Ravi meets Chenab (not directly the Indus) upstream.

How to extend

Locate Sarai Sidhu and the Ravi–Chenab confluence on a map to confirm that Ravi flows into Chenab prior to any meeting with the Indus.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > The Jhelum (Vitasta) > p. 10
Strength: 4/5
“The Jhelum rises from a spring at Verinag in the south-eastern part of the Valley of Kashmir. It flows north-westward for about 110 km where it enters the Wular Lake. Further downstream from Baramula, it enters a gorge, 2130 m deep, and moves towards Muzaffarabad (Pakistan). It joins the Chenab at Trimmu. Its gradient is gentle in the entire Vale of Kashmir and it is thus navigable between Anantnag and Baramulla. It is the most important river of Kashmir.”
Why relevant

Notes that the Jhelum joins the Chenab at Trimmu, showing Jhelum's waters reach Chenab (and thus Panjnad) rather than necessarily joining Indus separately.

How to extend

Check the Jhelum–Chenab confluence at Trimmu on a map to follow the combined flow toward Panjnad and then to the Indus.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > SHIFTING COURSES OF THE RIVERS > p. 24
Strength: 3/5
“Similar shifting has also been observed in the rivers of the Punjab during the historical past. The records of the third century BC show that the Indus flowed more than 130 km east of its present course, through the now practically dry beds of the deserted channel, to the Rann of Kutch which was then a gulf of the Arabian Sea. Later on, it gradually shifted towards the west and occupied its present position. During the reign of Akbar the Great, the Chenab and Jhelum rivers joined the Indus near Uch (Pakistan), but their present confluence lies near Mithankot about 100 km downstream of the old place of confluence.”
Why relevant

Describes historical shifts and gives examples of where Chenab and Jhelum joined the Indus (near Uch historically, now near Mithankot), highlighting that confluence locations can be downstream of their mutual junctions.

How to extend

Use historical/current maps to compare positions of individual rivers' confluences with the Indus and assess whether Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum meet each other before the Indus.

Statement 4
Does the Sutlej River receive the Chenab, Jhelum and Ravi rivers and then join the Indus River directly?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 1/5
"The Jhelum and Ravi rivers flow into the Chenab River and the Beas flows into the Sutlej River. The Chenab and Sutlej combine at Panjnad Barrage prior to flowing into the Indus."
Why this source?
  • Directly states that the Jhelum and Ravi flow into the Chenab (not into the Sutlej).
  • States that the Chenab and Sutlej combine at Panjnad Barrage prior to flowing into the Indus, so Sutlej does not first receive all three rivers.
Web source
Presence: 1/5
"The Panjnad river (river reach from junction of the Chenab and Sutlej rivers to the Indus River) ... captures the runoff and flow from the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej-Beas rivers and their catchments."
Why this source?
  • Defines Panjnad as the river reach from the junction of the Chenab and Sutlej to the Indus.
  • Says Panjnad 'captures the runoff and flow from the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej-Beas rivers', indicating these rivers join the Indus via Panjnad rather than Sutlej receiving them all first.
Web source
Presence: 1/5
"The Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej Rivers of Pakistan join the Indus River in Panjnad before emptying into the Arabian Sea."
Why this source?
  • States that Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej join the Indus River in Panjnad.
  • This implies they meet the Indus system at Panjnad rather than the Sutlej first receiving Chenab, Jhelum, and Ravi.

INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 20
Strength: 5/5
“They all originate in the Sulaiman ranges. The river flows southward and receives 'Panjnad' a little above Mithankot. The Panjnad is the name given to the five rivers of Punjab, namely the Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum. It finally”
Why relevant

Defines 'Panjnad' as the combined name of the five Punjab rivers (Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum) and notes that the Indus receives 'Panjnad' near Mithankot.

How to extend

A student could use a map to locate Panjnad and see whether Sutlej alone carries the other rivers or whether they join together before meeting the Indus.

CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Indus River System > p. 18
Strength: 5/5
“The river Indus rises in Tibet, near Lake Mansarowar. Flowing west, it enters India in the Ladakh. It forms a picturesque gorge in this part. Several tributaries, the Zaskar, the Nubra, the Shyok and the Hunza, join it in the Kashmir region. The Indus flows through Baltistan and Gilgit and emerges from the mountains at Attock. The Satluj, the Beas, the Ravi, the Chenab and the Jhelum join together to enter the Indus near Mithankot in Pakistan. Beyond this, the Indus flows southwards eventually reaching the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi. The Indus plain has a very gentle slope. With a total length of 2900 km, the Indus is one of the longest rivers of the world.”
Why relevant

States that Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum 'join together to enter the Indus near Mithankot', implying a common confluence rather than Sutlej individually receiving the others.

How to extend

Compare river courses on a regional map to check where each tributary meets and whether a single river (Sutlej) collects the others upstream.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > SHIFTING COURSES OF THE RIVERS > p. 24
Strength: 4/5
“Similar shifting has also been observed in the rivers of the Punjab during the historical past. The records of the third century BC show that the Indus flowed more than 130 km east of its present course, through the now practically dry beds of the deserted channel, to the Rann of Kutch which was then a gulf of the Arabian Sea. Later on, it gradually shifted towards the west and occupied its present position. During the reign of Akbar the Great, the Chenab and Jhelum rivers joined the Indus near Uch (Pakistan), but their present confluence lies near Mithankot about 100 km downstream of the old place of confluence.”
Why relevant

Gives historical examples of shifting confluences (Chenab and Jhelum once joined Indus near Uch, now near Mithankot), showing that Chenab and Jhelum have separate courses that meet the Indus system downstream.

How to extend

Use historical/current maps to trace where Chenab and Jhelum flow relative to Sutlej and the Indus to test if they flow into Sutlej or into a common channel.

INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 21
Strength: 4/5
“discharges into the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi. The Indus flows in India through Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. The Jhelum, an important tributary of the Indus, rises from a spring at Verinag situated at the foot of the Pir Panjal in the south-eastern part of the valley of Kashmir. It flows through Srinagar and the Wular lake before entering Pakistan through a deep narrow gorge. It joins the Chenab near Jhang in Pakistan. The Chenab is the largest tributary of the Indus. It is formed by two streams, the Chandra and the Bhaga, which join at Tandi near Keylong in Himachal Pradesh.”
Why relevant

Explains that the Jhelum is an important tributary of the Indus and that it 'joins the Chenab near Jhang', indicating staged confluences (Jhelum→Chenab) before the larger Indus confluence.

How to extend

Locate Jhelum–Chenab confluence on a map to see downstream whether that combined flow meets Sutlej or merges further to form Panjnad before meeting the Indus.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > The Jhelum (Vitasta) > p. 10
Strength: 3/5
“The Jhelum rises from a spring at Verinag in the south-eastern part of the Valley of Kashmir. It flows north-westward for about 110 km where it enters the Wular Lake. Further downstream from Baramula, it enters a gorge, 2130 m deep, and moves towards Muzaffarabad (Pakistan). It joins the Chenab at Trimmu. Its gradient is gentle in the entire Vale of Kashmir and it is thus navigable between Anantnag and Baramulla. It is the most important river of Kashmir.”
Why relevant

Specifies that Jhelum joins the Chenab at Trimmu, giving a concrete confluence point in the network of rivers feeding the Indus.

How to extend

Plot Trimmu and follow the Chenab downstream to its meeting with other Punjab rivers (including Sutlej/Panjnad) to determine whether Sutlej is the collector.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC Geography is shifting from 'Location' to 'Interaction'. They don't just ask where a river is; they ask how it interacts with others (confluences, catchment hierarchy). You must visualize the flow direction and merger sequence.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter (Direct NCERT). Source: India Physical Environment (Class XI), Ch 3, Page 21 — 'The Satluj... joins the Chenab'.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Drainage Systems hierarchy. Moving beyond 'List of Tributaries' to 'Sequence of Confluence'.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Map the exact nodes: 1) Jhelum joins Chenab @ Trimmu/Jhang. 2) Ravi joins Chenab @ Sarai Sidhu. 3) Beas joins Sutlej @ Harike. 4) Sutlej joins Chenab to form Panjnad. 5) Panjnad joins Indus @ Mithankot.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not read Geography linearly. Draw a 'Circuit Diagram' of the river system. The exam tests the nodes (junctions), not just the lines. Ask: Is River A feeding River B, or are they meeting as equals?
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Panjnad — confluence of five rivers
💡 The insight

Panjnad is the combined flow of Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum which is received by the Indus above Mithankot.

High-yield for river-network questions: explains how multiple tributaries merge before joining a main river, clarifies hydrological links in the Indus basin, and is useful for questions on river confluences and basin management.

📚 Reading List :
  • INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 20
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Indus River System > p. 18
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Chenab River receive the Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej rivers and then join t..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Jhelum as a tributary of the Chenab
💡 The insight

The Jhelum joins the Chenab (at Trimmu/Jhang), making Jhelum a direct tributary of the Chenab.

Essential for mapping river courses in Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan; helps answer questions on tributary hierarchies, regional water resources, and geopolitics tied to river origins and courses.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > The Jhelum (Vitasta) > p. 10
  • INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 21
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Chenab River receive the Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej rivers and then join t..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Main tributaries of the Indus system
💡 The insight

Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Satluj are listed as the Indus's main tributaries and together form the Panjnad before meeting the Indus.

Core for understanding the Indus basin, historical river-course changes, and the basis of treaties like the Indus Water Treaty; helps tackle questions on drainage systems, river plains and inter-state/international water sharing.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > 1. The Indus (Sindhu) > p. 8
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Indus River System > p. 18
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Chenab River receive the Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej rivers and then join t..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Panjnad — the five rivers of Punjab
💡 The insight

The Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum unite as Panjnad which then enters the Indus.

High-yield for UPSC because questions often ask about major river systems, their collective names and mouth locations; links physical geography with water resources and interstate/international water issues. Mastery helps answer map, confluence and river-basin questions and to reason about river-network based options.

📚 Reading List :
  • INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 20
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Indus River System > p. 18
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Jhelum River receive the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers and then join t..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Tributary sequence: Jhelum joins the Chenab
💡 The insight

Jhelum flows into the Chenab (at Trimmu/Jhang) rather than receiving the Chenab.

Essential for correctly determining upstream–downstream relationships in river-system questions; useful for elimination in assertion–reason and statement-veracity items on confluences and river courses.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > The Jhelum (Vitasta) > p. 10
  • INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 21
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Jhelum River receive the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers and then join t..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Confluence location and historical shifts (Mithankot vs Uch)
💡 The insight

The combined rivers enter the Indus near Mithankot today, though historical confluences were located nearer Uch.

Useful for questions on changing river courses, historical geography and geomorphology; connects to topics on river dynamics, sedimentation and implications for historical settlements and boundaries.

📚 Reading List :
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Indus River System > p. 18
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > SHIFTING COURSES OF THE RIVERS > p. 24
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Jhelum River receive the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers and then join t..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Panjnad — combined flow of five Punjab rivers
💡 The insight

Panjnad is the combined drainage of Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum that feeds into the Indus near Mithankot.

High-yield for mapping the Indus basin and for questions on river systems and water-sharing; links directly to the Indus Water Treaty and regional hydro-politics. Mastery helps answer questions about collective river confluences vs. individual tributary entries.

📚 Reading List :
  • INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > The Indus System > p. 20
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Indus River System > p. 18
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Ravi River receive the Chenab, Jhelum and Sutlej rivers and then join t..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Beas Anomaly'. Among the five rivers of Punjab (Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum), Beas is the ONLY one that flows entirely within India and does not enter Pakistan independently. Next question could be: 'Which of the following Indus tributaries does not cross the international border?'

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

The 'Central Spine' Heuristic. Visualize the map of Punjab. The Chenab (Chandrabhaga) runs through the center of the five rivers. In dendritic drainage patterns, the central/largest volume river usually acts as the trunk that collects the outer branches (Jhelum from North, Ravi/Sutlej from South). Bet on the central artery.

🔗 Mains Connection

Link to International Relations (Indus Waters Treaty 1960). The answer (Chenab) is a 'Western River' (allocated to Pakistan), yet it collects the waters of the 'Eastern Rivers' (Ravi, Sutlej - allocated to India) before meeting the Indus. This hydrological reality dictates the strategic placement of dams like Baglihar and Ratle.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-I · 2015 · Q21 Relevance score: 1.35

Arrange the following tributaries of river Indus from North to South : 1. Che nab 2. Jhelum 3. Ravi 4. Sutlej Select the correct answer using the code given below :

CAPF · 2014 · Q109 Relevance score: 0.63

Three important rivers of the Indian subcontinent have their source near the ManasaroVar Lake in the Great Himalayas. Which among the following are the rivers ?

CDS-I · 2025 · Q89 Relevance score: 0.51

Which of the following statements about the Indus Waters Treaty is/are correct ? 1. The term 'Eastern Rivers' means the Sutlej, the Beas and the Ravi taken together. 2. The term 'Western Rivers' means the Indus, the Jhelum and the Chenab taken together. Select the answer using the code given below :