Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q9 (IAS/2024) Geography › Indian Physical Geography › Indian river systems Official Key

Consider the following information : 1. Dhuandhar - Malwa - Narmada 2. Hundru - Chota Nagpur - Subarnarekha 3. Gersoppa - Western Ghats - Netravati In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is option A (Only one row is correctly matched).

Let's examine each row:

**Row 1 (Dhuandhar - Malwa - Narmada):** Dhuandhar Falls is located near Jabalpur on the Narmada River[2]. However, the Malwa Plateau is spread across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat[3], while the Narmada flows westward from Jabalpur through a rift valley between the Vindhyan and the Satpura ranges[2]. Jabalpur is not in the Malwa Plateau but in the region between the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges. **This row is INCORRECT.**

**Row 2 (Hundru - Chota Nagpur - Subarnarekha):** Hundru Falls is located on the Subarnarekha River in the Chhota Nagpur Plateau[4], and Hundru Falls (98 m) is on the Subarnarekha River[5]. **This row is CORRECT.**

**Row 3 (Gersoppa - Western Ghats - Netravati):** Gersoppa Falls (also called Jog Falls) is located on the Sharavathi River in Karnataka[6], and it is formed by the Sharavati river pouring down the Western Ghats[7]. The river mentioned is Sharavathi, not Netravati. **This row is INCORRECT.**

Therefore, only one row is correctly matched.

Sources

  1. [1] CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Narmada Basin > p. 21
  2. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Narmada River > p. 20
  3. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_India
  4. [4] Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Landforms and Life > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 52
  5. [6] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Jog Falls (253 m) > p. 46
  6. [7] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 7. The Western Ghats > p. 60
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
56%
got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full view
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Consider the following information : 1. Dhuandhar - Malwa - Narmada 2. Hundru - Chota Nagpur - Subarnarekha 3. Gersoppa - Western Ghats …
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6.7/10 · 1.7/10

A classic 'precision test' disguised as a simple match-the-column. While the waterfalls are famous, the trap lies in the specific physiographic region (Malwa vs. Narmada Valley) and river exactness (Netravati vs. Sharavati). This rewards map-based visualization over rote list memorization.

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
Is Dhuandhar Falls (Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India) located in the Malwa region or Malwa plateau?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > River Systems of the Peninsular Drainage > p. 24
Strength: 5/5
“Flowing in a rift valley between the Satpura in the south and the Vindhyan range in the north, it forms a picturesque gorge in marble rocks and Dhuandhar waterfall near Jabalpur. After flowing a distance of about 1,312 km, it meets the Arabian sea south of Bharuch, forming a broad 27 km long estuary. Its catchment area is about 98,796 sq. km. The Sardar Sarovar Project has been constructed on this river. Collect information about Narmada river conservation mission named "Namami Devi Narmade" and discuss with your peers. The Tapi is the other important westward flowing river. It originates from Multai in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh.”
Why relevant

States Dhuandhar waterfall (marble gorge) is on the Narmada near Jabalpur, locating the falls in the Narmada river zone.

How to extend

A student could place Jabalpur on a map relative to the Narmada and then compare that position with standard boundaries of the Malwa plateau.

CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Physical Features of India > The Peninsular Plateau > p. 12
Strength: 5/5
“The Peninsular plateau is a tableland composed of the old crystalline, igneous and metamorphic rocks. It was formed due to the breaking and drifting of the Gondwana land and thus, making it a part of the oldest landmass. The plateau has broad and shallow valleys and rounded hills. This plateau consists of two broad divisions, namely, the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau. The part of the Peninsular plateau lying to the north of the Narmada river, covering a major area of the Malwa plateau, is known as the Central Highlands. The Vindhyan range is bounded by the Satpura range on the south and the Aravalis on the northwest.”
Why relevant

Defines the Malwa plateau as the part of the Peninsular plateau lying to the north of the Narmada river (Central Highlands).

How to extend

Using a map showing the Narmada, one can check whether Jabalpur/Dhuandhar lies north (within Malwa) or on/ south of the Narmada (outside Malwa).

CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Narmada Basin > p. 21
Strength: 4/5
“The Narmada rises in the Amarkantak hills in Madhya Pradesh. It flows towards the west in a rift valley formed due to faulting. On its way to the sea, the Narmada creates many picturesque locations. The 'Marble rocks', near Jabalpur, where the Narmada flows through a deep gorge, and the 'Dhuadhar falls, where the river plunges over steep rocks, are some of the notable ones. • The Narmada river conservation mission has been undertaken by the government of Madhya Pradesh by a scheme named Namami Devi Narmade. You may visit their website. http://www.namamidevinarmade.mp.gov.in to learn more about it. All tributaries of the Narmada are very short and most of these join the main stream at right angles.”
Why relevant

Mentions 'Marble rocks' and 'Dhuadhar falls' as features formed by the Narmada near Jabalpur, reinforcing the falls' association with the Narmada valley rather than an inland plateau location.

How to extend

Compare the Narmada valley features map with the extents of the Malwa plateau to infer whether such valley features fall inside Malwa.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 1. The North Central Highlands > p. 54
Strength: 4/5
“The central highlands of peninsular India include the Aravallis, the Malwa Plateau, and the Vindhyan Range (Fig. 2.21). • (i) The Aravallis: It is a range that runs from north-east to south-west for about 800 km between Delhi to Palanpur (Gujarat). It is one of the oldest folded mountains of the world. Being highly denuded, its highest peak—Guru-Sikhar—is only 1722 m in height. The Aravillis are mainly composed of quartzites, gneisses and schists of the Precambrian period. North-west of Udaipur, the Aravallis are called Jarga Hills (1431 m). The Goranghat Pass separates Gurushikar from Mount Abu. The Great Boundary Fault (GBF) separates the Aravallis from the Vindhyan Mountains.• (ii) The Malwa Plateau: It is bordered by the Aravallis in the north, the Vindhyan Range in the south and the Bundelkhand Plateau in the east.”
Why relevant

Describes the Malwa Plateau's boundaries — bordered by the Vindhyan Range in the south — giving a regional boundary that can be compared to Jabalpur's location.

How to extend

A student can locate the Vindhyans and see whether Jabalpur (and the Narmada gorge) lies south of that southern boundary (thus outside Malwa) or within it.

INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > Do you Know? > p. 22
Strength: 3/5
“It is joined by the Chambal, the Sind, the Betwa and the Ken on its right bank which originates from the Peninsular plateau while the Hindan, the Rind, the Sengar, the Varuna, etc. join it on its left bank. Much of its water feeds the western and eastern Yamuna and the Agra canals for irrigation purposes. Name the states which are drained by the river Yamuna. The Chambal rises near Mhow in the Malwa plateau of Madhya Pradesh and flows northwards through a gorge up wards of Kota in Rajasthan, where the Gandhisagar dam has been constructed. From Kota, it traverses down to Bundi, Sawai Madhopur and Dholpur, and finally joins the Yamuna.”
Why relevant

Gives an example of places (e.g., Mhow/Chambal) explicitly identified as in the Malwa plateau, offering concrete reference points within Malwa for map comparison.

How to extend

Plot known Malwa locations like Mhow/Indore and compare their positions to Jabalpur/Dhuandhar to judge inclusion in the Malwa plateau.

Statement 2
On which river is Dhuandhar Falls (Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India) located?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Some Important Waterfalls of India > p. 47
Presence: 5/5
“• State: Chattisgarh; Name of the Waterfalls: Teerathgarh • State: Madhya Pradesh; Name of the Waterfalls: Dhunwadhar (River Narmada, near Jabalpur) • State: Himachal Pradesh; Name of the Waterfalls: Bundla and Palani Falls • State: Jharkhand; Name of the Waterfalls: Ghagri, Hundru, Johna Falls • State: Karnataka; Name of the Waterfalls: Abbey Falls, Arisina Gundi Falls, Hebbe Falls, Irupu Falls, Kalhatti Falls, Keppa Falls, Koosalli Falls, Kudumari Falls, Kunchikal Falls, Magod Falls, Mekedaatu Falls, Muthyala Falls, Sathodi Falls, Simsa Falls, Chunchi Falls, Unchalli Falls • State: Kerala; Name of the Waterfalls: Athirappilly Falls, Meenmutty Falls, Palaruvi Falls, Soochipara Falls, Thusharagiri Falls • State: ; Name of the Waterfalls: Maharashtra Chchai Falls, Gatha Falls, Keoti Falls, Kune Falls, Marleshwar Falls, Pandavgat Falls • State: Meghalaya; Name of the Waterfalls: Beodon Falls, Bishop Falls, Elephant Falls (Shillong Peak), Kynrem Falls, Langshiang Falls, Margaret Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Falls • State: Mizoram; Name of the Waterfalls: Vantawng Falls • State: Odisha; Name of the Waterfalls: Joranda Falls, Khandadhar Falls near Buguda • State: Tamil Nadu; Name of the Waterfalls: Aintharvi (five falls), Beman Falls (Palani Hills), Bear Shola Falls (Kotagiri), Chitraruvi Falls (Small falls), Courtallam Falls, Elk Falls (Palani Hills National Park), Vaideki Falls, Thakkam Thootam Falls (near Palani), Thenaruvi Falls (Honey Falls), Pazhaya Courtallam Falls (Old Falls), Pykara Falls (Nilgiri), Neptune Falls (in Palani National Park), Puli Aruvi (Tiger Falls), Puthu Aruvi (New Falls-Milk falls), Suruli Falls (Near Madurai)”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly lists Dhunwadhar (Dhuandhar) with the parenthetical 'River Narmada, near Jabalpur'.
  • Directly links the named waterfall to the Narmada and the Jabalpur location.
CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Narmada Basin > p. 21
Presence: 5/5
“The Narmada rises in the Amarkantak hills in Madhya Pradesh. It flows towards the west in a rift valley formed due to faulting. On its way to the sea, the Narmada creates many picturesque locations. The 'Marble rocks', near Jabalpur, where the Narmada flows through a deep gorge, and the 'Dhuadhar falls, where the river plunges over steep rocks, are some of the notable ones. • The Narmada river conservation mission has been undertaken by the government of Madhya Pradesh by a scheme named Namami Devi Narmade. You may visit their website. http://www.namamidevinarmade.mp.gov.in to learn more about it. All tributaries of the Narmada are very short and most of these join the main stream at right angles.”
Why this source?
  • Describes the Marble Rocks near Jabalpur and names 'Dhuadhar falls' as a notable feature of the Narmada.
  • Directly associates the waterfall's plunge with the Narmada River's course through Jabalpur.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Narmada River > p. 20
Presence: 5/5
“The Narmada River of length 1300 km and drainage basin area 92670 sq km rises from the plateau of Amarkantak of the Maikal Hills of Chhattisgarh. Moving north-westward, it passes through a complex course near Jabalpur, through some impressive marble gorges, the most spectular being Dhunwadhar Waterfalls (10 m high) near Jabalpur. Moving westward from Jabalpur, it flows through a rift valley between the Vindhyan and the Satpura ranges. It has rich alluvial deposits in its valley. Finally, it widens below Bharuch and makes a 27 km wide estuary to enter the Gulf of Khambat (Arabian Sea).”
Why this source?
  • Refers to Dhunwadhar Waterfalls near Jabalpur in the narrative of the Narmada River's course.
  • Places the waterfall as an identifiable feature formed by the Narmada near Jabalpur.
Statement 3
Is Hundru Falls (Ranchi district, Jharkhand, India) located on the Chota Nagpur Plateau?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Landforms and Life > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 52
Presence: 5/5
“African Plateau is famous for gold and diamond mining. In India, huge reserves of iron, coal and manganese are found in the Chhota Nagpur Plateau. The plateau environment is very diverse across the world. Many plateaus have a rocky soil, which makes them less fertile than plains (see next section) and therefore less favourable to farming. An exception is that of lava plateaus (that is, formed through volcanic activity), as they often have a rich black soil. Plateaus are also home to many spectacular waterfalls. The Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River in southern Africa, the Hundru Falls on the Subarnarekha River in the Chhota Nagpur Plateau and the Jog Falls on the Sharavati River in the Western Ghats are a few such waterfalls.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names Hundru Falls as being on the Subarnarekha River in the Chhota Nagpur Plateau.
  • Directly links the waterfall to the plateau, giving clear geographic placement.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Subernrekha River > p. 20
Presence: 4/5
“The Subernrekha rises a little to the southwest of Ranchi where it has a number of waterfalls. Its length is 400 km with basin area of 28,000 sq km. In a general easterly direction, it passes through Jamshedpur and flows to the Bay of Bengal near Balasore. Its drainage basin is shared by the states of Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.”
Why this source?
  • States the Subarnarekha rises near Ranchi and has a number of waterfalls, linking the river (and its falls) to the Ranchi area.
  • Connects the river system that hosts Hundru Falls with the geographic region around Ranchi.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 3. The Chotanagpur Plateau > p. 55
Presence: 4/5
“The Chotanagpur Plateau sprawls over parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and north-eastern part of Andhra Pradesh. This plateau has a series of the meso and micro plateaus (Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Singhbhum, Dhanbad, Palamu, Santhal, Parganas, and Purulia districts of West Bengal). It is composed of Archaean granite and gneiss rocks with patches of Dharwar (micaschists), the Damuda series of the Gondwana Period, and the lava flow of the Cretaceous Period. Moreover, the Chhotanagpur Plateau consists of plateaux at different levels of elevation, the highest general elevation of about 1100 m in the mid-western part is known as pat lands.”
Why this source?
  • Defines the Chotanagpur Plateau as including the Ranchi plateau and related district plateaus.
  • Places Ranchi within the broader Chotanagpur physiographic unit, supporting Hundru Falls' location on that plateau.
Statement 4
On which river is Hundru Falls (Ranchi district, Jharkhand, India) located?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Key falls include *Hundru Falls* (98 m on Subarnarekha River), *Dassam Falls* (multi-channel cascade), *Jonha (Gautamdhara) Falls* (43 m hanging valley), *Hirni Falls* and *Panchghagh Falls* (split into five streams)."
Why this source?
  • Directly names Hundru Falls and specifies the river it is on.
  • Provides the fall's height and context among other Ranchi waterfalls, supporting geographic identification.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Some Important Waterfalls of India > p. 47
Strength: 4/5
“• State: Chattisgarh; Name of the Waterfalls: Teerathgarh • State: Madhya Pradesh; Name of the Waterfalls: Dhunwadhar (River Narmada, near Jabalpur) • State: Himachal Pradesh; Name of the Waterfalls: Bundla and Palani Falls • State: Jharkhand; Name of the Waterfalls: Ghagri, Hundru, Johna Falls • State: Karnataka; Name of the Waterfalls: Abbey Falls, Arisina Gundi Falls, Hebbe Falls, Irupu Falls, Kalhatti Falls, Keppa Falls, Koosalli Falls, Kudumari Falls, Kunchikal Falls, Magod Falls, Mekedaatu Falls, Muthyala Falls, Sathodi Falls, Simsa Falls, Chunchi Falls, Unchalli Falls • State: Kerala; Name of the Waterfalls: Athirappilly Falls, Meenmutty Falls, Palaruvi Falls, Soochipara Falls, Thusharagiri Falls • State: ; Name of the Waterfalls: Maharashtra Chchai Falls, Gatha Falls, Keoti Falls, Kune Falls, Marleshwar Falls, Pandavgat Falls • State: Meghalaya; Name of the Waterfalls: Beodon Falls, Bishop Falls, Elephant Falls (Shillong Peak), Kynrem Falls, Langshiang Falls, Margaret Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Falls • State: Mizoram; Name of the Waterfalls: Vantawng Falls • State: Odisha; Name of the Waterfalls: Joranda Falls, Khandadhar Falls near Buguda • State: Tamil Nadu; Name of the Waterfalls: Aintharvi (five falls), Beman Falls (Palani Hills), Bear Shola Falls (Kotagiri), Chitraruvi Falls (Small falls), Courtallam Falls, Elk Falls (Palani Hills National Park), Vaideki Falls, Thakkam Thootam Falls (near Palani), Thenaruvi Falls (Honey Falls), Pazhaya Courtallam Falls (Old Falls), Pykara Falls (Nilgiri), Neptune Falls (in Palani National Park), Puli Aruvi (Tiger Falls), Puthu Aruvi (New Falls-Milk falls), Suruli Falls (Near Madurai)”
Why relevant

Lists Hundru as one of the notable waterfalls in Jharkhand, grouping it with other named falls in the Ranchi region.

How to extend

Knowing Hundru is a named Jharkhand/Ranchi waterfall, a student can consult a map of Ranchi district to see which local rivers host major falls and thus narrow candidates.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Subernrekha River > p. 20
Strength: 4/5
“The Subernrekha rises a little to the southwest of Ranchi where it has a number of waterfalls. Its length is 400 km with basin area of 28,000 sq km. In a general easterly direction, it passes through Jamshedpur and flows to the Bay of Bengal near Balasore. Its drainage basin is shared by the states of Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.”
Why relevant

States that the Subernrekha rises southwest of Ranchi and 'has a number of waterfalls', establishing a pattern that rivers rising near Ranchi produce several falls.

How to extend

A student could check whether Hundru is one of the 'number of waterfalls' on the Subernrekha by tracing the Subernrekha's course on an atlas of the Ranchi area.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Lodh Waterfalls (also known as Buddha Ghagh Falls) > p. 46
Strength: 3/5
“The Lodh Waterfalls are located on the Budh River about 40 km from Ranchi (Jharkhand). The falls, named Gautam Budha, also have a Buddha Temple there.”
Why relevant

Gives a concrete example of a prominent Ranchi-area waterfall (Lodh) being located on a named small river (Budh), showing that individual named falls around Ranchi are commonly on local rivers rather than on major distant rivers.

How to extend

Use this pattern to look for the specific small/local river that Hundru Falls is on (by checking local river names near Hundru on a map).

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > THE DAMODAR VALLEY CORPORATION > p. 60
Strength: 3/5
“Flowing through the states of Jharkhand and West Bengal, the Damodar river is 541 km (336 miles) long. The river is also known as Deonadi in its upper reaches. It rises in western Jharkhand in the hills of Chotanagpur and drains areas in the Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Dhanbad, and Santhal Parganas districts of Jharkhand, and Bankura and Burdwan districts of West Bengal. After its confluence with the Barakar river, it enters West Bengal. Flowing through Bankura and Burdwan, it finally merges into the Hugli River opposite to Falta, approximately 50 km north of Kolkata. The river has a total catchment area of 25,820 sq km (Fig.”
Why relevant

Notes that several important rivers (Damodar) originate in the Chotanagpur/Ranchi uplands, indicating that many Ranchi waterfalls relate to rivers rising in that plateau.

How to extend

A student could examine which Chotanagpur-origin rivers pass through Ranchi district (e.g., Damodar, Subernrekha, Budh) and then check which of those aligns geographically with Hundru Falls.

Statement 5
Is Gersoppa Falls (Karnataka, India) located in the Western Ghats?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 7. The Western Ghats > p. 60
Presence: 5/5
“Harishchandra: The Harishchandra mountain ranges in the southern parts of Maharashtra from north-west to south-east. It stretches in the districts of Pune and Osmanabad. It is covered by degraded forests. Jog Falls: The short westward flowing Sharavati river pours down the Western Ghats, forming one of the highest waterfalls in the world at 250 m. Kalsubai: Situated in the state of Maharashtra, it is one of the highest peaks of Western Ghats. It is 1646 metres above sea level. Inhabited by tribal people, its forest wealth has diminished due to deforestation. Kudarmukh: Situated in the state of Karnataka, the Kudarmukh range (1892 m) is rich in iron ore.”
Why this source?
  • Links the Sharavati river's descent directly to the Western Ghats, saying this descent forms one of the highest waterfalls (Jog/Gersoppa).
  • Directly connects the waterfall's formation to the Western Ghats' topography, giving a clear geographic relationship.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Jog Falls (253 m) > p. 46
Presence: 4/5
“Located on the Sharavathi River in the Shimoga District of Karnataka, they are the highest untiered waterfalls in India. Jog falls is one of the major attractions in Karnataka tourism. It is also called by alternative names of Gerusoppe Falls, Gersoppa Falls, and Jogada Gundi.”
Why this source?
  • Identifies Jog Falls (alternate names Gerusoppe/Gersoppa/Jogada Gundi) on the Sharavathi River in Shimoga district, Karnataka.
  • Confirms the exact river and district, enabling mapping to the Western Ghats region of Karnataka.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 7. The Western Ghats > p. 58
Presence: 4/5
“The Western Ghats in Sanskrit Sahyadris run parallel to the western coast for about 1600 km in the north south direction from the mouth of the Tapi river to Kanyakumari (Cape Camorin). The western slope of Sahyadri is steep while the eastern slope is gentle. These are block mountains formed due to the downwarping of a part of land into the Arabian Sea. The Sahyadris form a watershed of the peninsula. All the important rivers of Peninsular India, like the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri rise from the Western Ghats. The western rivers merging into the Arabian Sea are swift. The Gersoppa (Jog Falls) on Sharvati is the highest waterfall in India.”
Why this source?
  • Names Gersoppa (Jog Falls) on the Sharavati and places discussion within the Western Ghats physiographic context.
  • Links the waterfall's prominence to the Western Ghats as the regional watershed and mountain range.
Statement 6
On which river is Gersoppa Falls (Karnataka, India) located?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Jog Falls (253 m) > p. 46
Presence: 5/5
“Located on the Sharavathi River in the Shimoga District of Karnataka, they are the highest untiered waterfalls in India. Jog falls is one of the major attractions in Karnataka tourism. It is also called by alternative names of Gerusoppe Falls, Gersoppa Falls, and Jogada Gundi.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly locates Jog/Gerusoppe/Gersoppa Falls on the Sharavathi River in Shimoga District, Karnataka
  • Directly ties the alternative name Gersoppa Falls to Jog Falls and the Sharavathi River
Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 16: Fluvial Landforms and Cycle of Erosion > Waterfalls > p. 201
Presence: 5/5
“The waterfall is located near Cherrapunji.• Jog or Gersoppa falls (253 m) on Sharavati river (a tributary of Cauvery), Karnataka is the secondhighest plunge waterfall in India.• Angel Falls in Venezuela is the world's highest waterfall, with a height of 979 metres and a plunge of 807 metres.• Tugela Falls (948 m) in the Drakensberg mountains, South Africa is the world's second-highest waterfall.”
Why this source?
  • Names Jog/Gersoppa Falls and states it is on the Sharavati (Sharavathi) river
  • Clarifies river context by noting Sharavati as a tributary of the Kaveri, reinforcing river identification
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 7. The Western Ghats > p. 58
Presence: 5/5
“The Western Ghats in Sanskrit Sahyadris run parallel to the western coast for about 1600 km in the north south direction from the mouth of the Tapi river to Kanyakumari (Cape Camorin). The western slope of Sahyadri is steep while the eastern slope is gentle. These are block mountains formed due to the downwarping of a part of land into the Arabian Sea. The Sahyadris form a watershed of the peninsula. All the important rivers of Peninsular India, like the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri rise from the Western Ghats. The western rivers merging into the Arabian Sea are swift. The Gersoppa (Jog Falls) on Sharvati is the highest waterfall in India.”
Why this source?
  • Refers to Gersoppa (Jog Falls) specifically as being on the Sharvati river
  • Links the waterfall to the Western Ghats river system, supporting geographic placement
Pattern takeaway: UPSC is increasing the resolution of geography questions. 'Madhya Pradesh' is no longer enough; you must distinguish between 'Malwa Plateau', 'Bundelkhand', and 'Narmada Valley'. They are testing your mental overlay of physical maps onto drainage maps.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Moderate. Direct hits from NCERT Class IX/XI and Majid Husain, but Row 1 is a conceptual trap.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Drainage Systems linked to Physiographic Divisions (not just Political States).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Big 5' Waterfalls with River + Region: 1. Shivanasamudra (Kaveri, Mysore Plateau) 2. Dudhsagar (Mandovi, Western Ghats) 3. Chitrakote (Indravati, Bastar Plateau) 4. Chuliya (Chambal, Hadoti/Malwa edge) 5. Nohkalikai (Rain-fed, Meghalaya Plateau).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Stop memorizing 'Waterfall = State'. Shift to 'Waterfall = River + Terrain'. For Row 1, ask: Does the Narmada Rift Valley (where Dhuandhar is) count as the Malwa Plateau? (No, Malwa is the tableland to the north).
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Narmada river course and rift-valley setting
💡 The insight

Dhuandhar/Dhunwadhar Falls are features on the Narmada where it flows through a rift valley and marble gorges near Jabalpur.

Understanding the Narmada's course and its rift-valley geography helps locate riverine landmarks (waterfalls, gorges) and distinguish river-zone geomorphology from plateau regions. This is high-yield for questions on Indian drainage systems, physiography, and regional landform identification.

📚 Reading List :
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Narmada Basin > p. 21
  • INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > River Systems of the Peninsular Drainage > p. 24
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Narmada River > p. 20
🔗 Anchor: "Is Dhuandhar Falls (Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India) located in the Malwa region..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Malwa Plateau — extent and boundaries
💡 The insight

The Malwa Plateau is a distinct physiographic unit with defined boundaries (Aravallis, Vindhyans, Bundelkhand) and is part of the Central Highlands.

Mastering the spatial limits of the Malwa Plateau allows aspirants to accurately assign cities and features to plateaus versus other landforms, useful in map-based questions and physiography comparisons across states.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 1. The North Central Highlands > p. 54
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Physical Features of India > The Peninsular Plateau > p. 12
🔗 Anchor: "Is Dhuandhar Falls (Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India) located in the Malwa region..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Relative position of the Malwa Plateau to the Narmada
💡 The insight

The portion of the Peninsular plateau north of the Narmada includes the Malwa Plateau, implying Narmada features near Jabalpur are not within Malwa to the north.

Recognising north–south relationships between major rivers and plateau regions is crucial for correctly answering location-based questions (e.g., whether a feature lies on a plateau or in a river valley). This concept connects physiography, river systems and regional geography.

📚 Reading List :
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Physical Features of India > The Peninsular Plateau > p. 12
  • INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > River Systems of the Peninsular Drainage > p. 24
🔗 Anchor: "Is Dhuandhar Falls (Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India) located in the Malwa region..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Narmada River: course and key landmarks
💡 The insight

Dhuandhar (Dhunwadhar) Falls is a named landmark on the Narmada near Jabalpur, illustrating the river's notable features.

Understanding the Narmada's origin, westward rift-valley course and major landmarks is high-yield for geography and polity questions on inter-state river projects and regional physiography. Mastery helps answer location-based questions, river basin comparisons, and questions on river-linked infrastructure.

📚 Reading List :
  • INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > River Systems of the Peninsular Drainage > p. 24
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Narmada Basin > p. 21
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Some Important Waterfalls of India > p. 47
🔗 Anchor: "On which river is Dhuandhar Falls (Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India) located?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Marble Rocks & waterfalls as geomorphological tourist features
💡 The insight

The Marble Rocks gorge and Dhuandhar Falls at Jabalpur are geomorphological features formed by the Narmada's course.

Candidates should link geomorphology with tourism and local economy questions; such landmarks frequently appear in map/identification and human-environment questions. This concept connects physical geography with economic and cultural geography contexts.

📚 Reading List :
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Narmada Basin > p. 21
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Narmada River > p. 20
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > Some Important Waterfalls of India > p. 47
🔗 Anchor: "On which river is Dhuandhar Falls (Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India) located?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Rift-valley west-flowing rivers of Peninsular India
💡 The insight

The Narmada flows westward in a rift valley between Vindhyan and Satpura ranges, a structural control that produces features like Dhuandhar Falls.

Classifying rivers by flow direction and tectonic setting is important for drainage-system questions, resource management, and comparative river basin studies in the exam. It enables elimination-style answers and linkage to dam/projects and basin governance topics.

📚 Reading List :
  • INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Drainage System > River Systems of the Peninsular Drainage > p. 24
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Narmada Basin > p. 21
🔗 Anchor: "On which river is Dhuandhar Falls (Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India) located?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Chotanagpur Plateau: extent and constituent plateaux
💡 The insight

The Chotanagpur Plateau includes the Ranchi plateau, which is the physiographic unit where Hundru Falls is located.

This is a high-yield physiography topic: knowing the plateau's extent helps answer questions on regional landforms, mineral distribution, and river origins. It links to drainage patterns, resource geography, and regional development questions frequently asked in UPSC.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 3. The Chotanagpur Plateau > p. 55
🔗 Anchor: "Is Hundru Falls (Ranchi district, Jharkhand, India) located on the Chota Nagpur ..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

Since they tested Hundru (Subarnarekha), the next logical sibling is the 'Niagara of India': Chitrakote Falls on the Indravati River (Bastar Plateau). Also, watch out for the Yenna Falls (Mahabaleshwar) or the Vajrai Falls (Urmodi river, Maharashtra) which are often in news for height debates.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use 'Geological Common Sense' for Row 1: The Malwa Plateau is famous for Deccan Trap 'Black Soil' (Basalt). Dhuandhar is famous for 'Marble Rocks' (Metamorphic Limestone). Basalt does not equal Marble. Therefore, Dhuandhar cannot be geologically part of the Malwa Trap region.

🔗 Mains Connection

Connect Waterfalls to GS-3 (Energy & Environment): Why are Western Ghats waterfalls (like Gersoppa) viable for run-of-the-river hydro projects, whereas Himalayan falls face higher siltation and seismic risks? This links physiography to disaster management and energy security.

✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2014 · Q88 Relevance score: 0.24

Consider the following pairs: 1. Garba - Gujarat 2. Mohiniattam - Odisha 3. Yakshagana - Karnataka Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

IAS · 2019 · Q23 Relevance score: -0.36

Consider the following pairs : 1. Pandharpur : Chandrabhaga 2. Tiruchirappalli : Cauvery 3. Hampi : Malaprabha Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

IAS · 2016 · Q94 Relevance score: -0.44

Consider the following pairs : Famous place Region 1. Bodhgaya : Baghelkhand 2. Khajuraho : Bundelkhand 3. Shirdi : Vidarbha 4. Nasik (Nashik) : Malwa 5. Tirupati - : Rayalaseema Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

IAS · 2020 · Q7 Relevance score: -1.40

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs : Famous Place Present State 1. Bhilsa - Madhya Pradesh 2. Dwarasamudra - Maharashtra 3. Girinagar - Gujarat 4. Sthanesvara - Uttar Pradesh Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

IAS · 2022 · Q2 Relevance score: -2.05

Consider the following pairs : King Dynasty 1. Nannuka - Chandela 2. Jayashakti - Paramara 3. Nagabhata II - Gurjara-Pratihara 4. Bhoja - Rashtrakuta How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?