Consider the following rivers: Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari?

Answer: (d) 2 and 3 only

Only the Indravati and Pranahita join the Godavari.

Statement by statement

1. ✗ NO The Vamsadhara is an independent river flowing into the Bay (Andhra–Odisha).

2. ✓ YES The Indravati joins the Godavari from the left.

3. ✓ YES The Pranahita is the Godavari’s largest tributary.

4. ✗ NO The Pennar is an independent river (Nellore).

The idea

Sharing an eastward direction does not make rivers part of one basin. A tributary joins the main river before the sea; an independent coastal river has its own outlet. Trace the final junction, rather than judging from neighbouring States.

Wardha and Wainganga unite → Combined river is called Pranahita → Pranahita joins Godavari → Godavari receives other tributaries downstream → Main river reaches its delta → Distributaries enter the Bay of Bengal

Why the others are wrong

(a) The Vamsadhara is not a tributary.

(b) The Pennar is not a tributary.

(c) Neither the Vamsadhara nor the Pennar is a tributary.

The trap

All four are east-flowing rivers of the same region.

Elimination technique

Vamsadhara has its own sea outlet, so options (a) and (c) fail. Pennar is also independent, removing (b). Only the two rivers joining Godavari remain.

Also know

Penganga joins the Wardha upstream of Pranahita’s formation. Manjira and Pravara are other Godavari tributaries; Sabari joins its lower course. Pennar cuts the Gandikota gorge and has its own Bay of Bengal outlet. Krishna is another independent east-flowing basin.