Where does the Narmada river originate?

Appeared in: CGHS SSC - 2018

Explanation

The Narmada River originates from a small reservoir known as the Narmada Kund, located on the Amarkantak Plateau in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh.
It is the fifth-longest river in the Indian subcontinent and the largest west-flowing river.
The river flows through a rift valley between the Satpura and Vindhya mountain ranges before draining into the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Khambhat.
Amarkantak is a unique location as it is also the origin of two other major rivers, the Son River and the Johila River.

Option A: Mahabaleshwar, a hill station in Maharashtra, is the source of the Krishna River, not the Narmada.
Option B: Kedarnath is a pilgrimage site in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand. It is near the source of the Mandakini River, a tributary of the Ganga, not the Narmada.
Option D: The Brahmagiri Hills in the Western Ghats are associated with the origins of two different rivers: the Kaveri (at Talakaveri in Karnataka) and the Godavari (near Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra).

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 Origins as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While not a clinical topic, knowledge of Indian geography is a key part of the General Knowledge and Awareness section of many nursing entrance and government recruitment exams.
Understanding major river systems is fundamental to comprehending India's physical geography, climate, and distribution of population and resources.
What if? If the question had asked for the origin of the Tapi (Tapti) River, another major west-flowing river, the correct answer would be the Satpura Range in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key terms in the question: 'Narmada river' and 'originate'.
Recognize this as a factual recall question from the subject of Indian Geography.
Systematically review the options provided.
Recall or deduce the origin points for each location. Amarkantak is famously the source of the Narmada.
Eliminate the other options by correctly associating them with their respective rivers: Mahabaleshwar with the Krishna, Kedarnath with the Mandakini (Ganga system), and Brahmagiri with the Kaveri/Godavari.
Confirm that Amarkantak is the correct choice for the Narmada River's origin.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QZ9daPXvqCf4pduz69LHpp

Practise the full CGHS SSC - 2018

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