J&K question from Naib Tehsildar exam, 2018 by JKSSB
The six rivers of the Indus basin flow across the Himalayan ranges to end in the Arabian sea south of Karachi. They originate from
Last updated May 15, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option A —
Tibet
While the six rivers of the Indus basin flow through India and Pakistan, their primary headwaters and geographical origins are located in the Tibetan Plateau (specifically the Trans-Himalayan region).
Origins of the Indus System:
The Indus basin is comprised of the Indus river itself and its five major tributaries: the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
Indus & Sutlej: Both of these massive rivers originate in Tibet near Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash.
Other Tributaries: Rivers like the Chenab, Ravi, and Beas originate in the Indian Himalayas (Himachal Pradesh), while the Jhelum originates in the Verinag Spring of Jammu and Kashmir.
However, when looking at the basin as a whole and the source of its namesake river, Tibet is the recognized point of origin.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Bangladesh: Located in Eastern India/South Asia, it is part of the Ganges-Brahmaputra basin, not the Indus basin.
Pakistan: This is the "lower riparian" state where the rivers reach the sea, but they do not originate there.
Jammu and Kashmir: While the rivers flow through this region (and the Jhelum starts here), the primary "Trans-Himalayan" sources of the system lie further east in Tibet.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
