The Tehri Dam, located on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand, is the highest dam in India.
With a structural height of 260.5 meters (855 feet), it surpasses all other dams in the country in terms of elevation.
It is an earth and rock-fill embankment dam, a design that contributes to its massive height and scale.
The dam is a key component of the Tehri Hydroelectric Complex, serving multiple purposes including power generation and water supply.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
Option A: Bhakra Dam is often mistaken as the highest, but it is specifically the highest straight gravity dam in India, not the overall highest dam.
Option C: Hirakud Dam's primary distinction is its length, not its height. It is the longest dam in India.
Option D: Kallanai Dam is renowned for its ancient origins, being one of the oldest functional water-regulation structures in the world.
Related Visual
Visual 1: Infographic - A comparative chart showing the height, length, and type of the four dams listed in the options (Tehri, Bhakra, Hirakud, Kallanai) to visually represent their key features.
Visual 2: Map - A map of India highlighting the locations of these major dams on their respective rivers, providing geographical context.
Clinical Relevance
Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Major Dams in India and their Key Features as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a general knowledge question. Understanding major national infrastructure projects like dams is part of a broad educational foundation.
Dams play a crucial role in national development by managing water resources, preventing floods, generating hydroelectric power, and supporting agriculture through irrigation.
Large-scale construction projects can have public health implications, including the displacement of populations and changes in local ecology that may affect disease vectors.
How to Approach the Question
First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'highest dam'.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge about major dams in India.
Evaluate each option based on the 'highest' criterion.
Recall that Tehri Dam is the highest in India.
Differentiate it from other famous dams: Bhakra (highest gravity dam), Hirakud (longest dam), and Kallanai (oldest dam).
Select the option that correctly matches the fact.
Concept Tested & Keywords
Concept Tested: Major Dams in India and their Key Features
Stem keywords: highest dam, India
Lead-in keywords: Which is
Negative lead-in flag: false
Question ID
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Practise the full NORCET 2 -2021 (Shift-2)
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.