The longest river of Peninsular India is ______

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-3rd)

Explanation

The Godavari River is the longest river in Peninsular India, with a total length of approximately 1465 km.
It originates from Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra and flows eastwards, eventually draining into the Bay of Bengal.
Due to its significant length and large river basin, it is often referred to as the 'Dakshin Ganga' (Ganges of the South).

Option A: The Cauvery river has a length of about 800 km, which is significantly shorter than the Godavari.
Option C: The Yamuna is a Himalayan river, not a peninsular river. Peninsular rivers originate in the Deccan Plateau, whereas the Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayas.
Option D: The Krishna is the second-longest peninsular river, with a length of about 1401 km. It is shorter than the Godavari.

Visual 1: Map - A map of India highlighting the course of the Godavari river in comparison to other major peninsular rivers like Krishna, Cauvery, and Narmada.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Geography of India: Major River Systems as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the major river systems is fundamental to Indian geography, which influences the country's economy, agriculture, and culture.
This topic is frequently tested in the general awareness section of various competitive examinations, including those for nursing.
What if the question asked for the longest west-flowing peninsular river? The answer would change to the Narmada River, which flows into the Arabian Sea.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key constraints in the question: 'longest river' and 'Peninsular India'.
This is a factual recall question based on Indian geography.
Differentiate between Peninsular rivers (originating in the Deccan Plateau) and Himalayan rivers (originating in the Himalayas).
Eliminate any options that are not Peninsular rivers. The Yamuna originates in the Himalayas, so it is an incorrect choice.
From the remaining options (Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery), recall or compare their approximate lengths to identify the longest one.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-3rd)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.