SSC
The Subansiri, which flows from Tibet through Arunachal Pradesh into Assam, is the largest tributary of the:
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Answer: Option A — Brahmaputra
Detailed Solution
The Subansiri is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra. It contributes a large share of the Brahmaputra's water and is sometimes called the "Gold River" because gold dust has traditionally been panned from its sands.
Course of the Subansiri:
- It rises in the Himalayas in Tibet (China).
- It flows east and then south through Arunachal Pradesh, passing through the Lower Subansiri and Upper Subansiri districts.
- It enters the plains of Assam and joins the Brahmaputra in the Lakhimpur district, near Majuli.
- Its total length is about 442 km.
- It is a north-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra.
Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project:
The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, with a capacity of 2,000 MW, is being built by NHPC on the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam border.
It is India's largest hydroelectric project under construction. Some of its units began operation in 2024.
It faced long delays because of protests by people downstream in Assam, who feared flooding and environmental damage.
Other important tributaries of the Brahmaputra:
- North-bank tributaries (from the Himalayas): Subansiri, Jia Bhareli (Kameng), Manas and Sankosh.
- South-bank tributaries: Burhi Dihing, Dhansiri, Kopili and Dikhu.
- In Assam, the Brahmaputra is joined by many tributaries that bring huge amounts of water and silt, which is one reason for the frequent floods in the state.
Majuli:
Majuli, near the confluence of the Subansiri and the Brahmaputra, is one of the largest river islands in the world. It became India's first island district in 2016 and is a centre of Vaishnavite culture with many satras (monasteries).
Floods in Assam:
The Brahmaputra and its tributaries cause annual floods in Assam, affecting millions of people and wildlife in areas such as Kaziranga National Park.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The Ganga and the Mahanadi are separate river systems.
- ✗The Meghna is a river of Bangladesh that receives the combined waters near the sea.
Quick tip
Remember: Subansiri ("Gold River") = largest tributary of the Brahmaputra; Subansiri Lower = largest hydro project under construction (2,000 MW).
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Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers India's drainage system: the Himalayan rivers (the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra systems), the peninsular rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada, Tapi and Mahanadi), their tributaries and origins, waterfalls, lakes, and the major dams and multipurpose river projects. Exams ask about the origin of a river, its tributaries, the cities on its banks, and the river on which a dam is built. For example, the Bhakra Nangal Dam is on the Sutlej, the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi, and the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada. Remember that the Narmada and Tapi flow west into the Arabian Sea, while most peninsular rivers flow east. Practise the rivers, lakes and dams of India questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.