Chenab
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Overview
The Chenab is formed by the Chandra and the Bhaga at Tandi in Himachal Pradesh and flows into Jammu and Kashmir. It is the largest of the five rivers of Punjab that join the Indus from the left bank.
Under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960) it is one of the three western rivers (with the Indus and the Jhelum) allotted to Pakistan, with some uses allowed to India; India put the treaty in abeyance in April 2025. The world's highest rail arch bridge spans the Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir. In history, Manda (Jammu), on the Chenab, was the northernmost Harappan site.
Geography and key facts
- Formed by the Chandra and Bhaga at Tandi (Himachal Pradesh)
- Largest of the five rivers of Punjab
- A western river under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960)
- Manda, on the Chenab, is the northernmost Harappan site
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked in the Indus river system (2021), rivers of Himachal Pradesh (2010), rivers that do not rise in India (2009), the Dul Hasti power station (2009), glacier–river pairs (2019) and ancient river names (2026).
Note for UPSC
Formed by the Chandra and Bhaga at Tandi (Himachal Pradesh); the world's highest rail arch bridge spans it in J&K.
Prelims asks about tributaries, the states a river flows through, its basin and the projects on it, so trace the course on the map.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2026 · Q3Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched ? Select the answer using the code given below :…
- UPSC Prelims 2021 · Q53With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one i…
- UPSC Prelims 2019 · Q38Consider the following pairs : Glacier River Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?…
- UPSC Prelims 2010 · Q75Rivers that pass through Himachal Pradesh are…
- UPSC Prelims 2009 · Q41Which one of the following rivers does not originate in India ?…
- UPSC Prelims 2009 · Q133The Dul Hasti Power Station is based on which one of the following rivers ?…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Chenab.
Key facts
- Type
- River
- States / UTs on its course
- Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh
- River system
- Himalayan
- Basin
- Indus
- Extent on map
- 29.1°–33.4°N, 70.7°–77.0°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 6 questions · 2026, 2021, 2019, 2010, 2009
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Physical Features and Drainage of India
- India–Pakistan and India–Afghanistan Relations
- Harappan Civilisation: Sites, Town Planning and Phases
- Drainage Systems of India: Himalayan and Peninsular Rivers
- Transport Infrastructure: Roads, Railways, Ports and Aviation
- Terrorism and Insurgency: J&K and the Northeast