Question

Which of the following is the longest river in India?

• A. Godavari \mathbb{}
• B. Yamuna
• C. Brahmaputra
• D. Ganga

Hint:

Don't fall into the common trap with the Brahmaputra or Indus rivers! While they are longer than the Ganga when measured from their starting sources in Tibet to the sea, the Ganga holds the record for covering the longest distance inside the borders of India (2,525 km).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a geography-based general knowledge question tracking hydrological data within the Indian subcontinent. The status of the "longest river in India" is determined specifically by the total linear length of the river path contained strictly inside the geographical boundaries of India.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the total length of each listed river within Indian territory: Ganga (Correct): The Ganga is the longest river flowing entirely through India, originating from the Gangotri Glacier and running for a total length of approximately 2,525 km before entering Bangladesh and emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Godavari: Known as the Dakshina Ganga, it is the second-longest river in India with a length of approximately 1,465 km. Brahmaputra: Although its total length from Tibet to its mouth is massive (~2,900 km), a significant portion flows through Tibet (China) and Bangladesh. Its path inside India is only about 916 km, making it shorter within India than the Ganga. Yamuna: A major tributary of the Ganga, it measures approximately 1,376 km in length. Therefore, the Ganga is the longest river inside India.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The longest river in India is the Ganga.