Ravi
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Overview
The Ravi rises in the Kangra–Chamba area of Himachal Pradesh and is one of the five rivers of Punjab that join the Indus from the left bank.
It is one of the three eastern rivers (with the Beas and the Sutlej) allotted to India under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960). Harappa, the first Harappan site to be excavated (by Daya Ram Sahni in 1921), lies on the Ravi, now in Pakistan; the civilisation is named after it.
Geography and key facts
- Rises in the Kangra–Chamba area (Himachal Pradesh)
- An eastern river allotted to India under the Indus Waters Treaty
- Harappa (excavated 1921) lies on its bank
- A Ravi–Beas water disputes tribunal was set up in 1986
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) and ancient river names (2026).
Note for UPSC
Rises in the Kangra–Chamba area of Himachal Pradesh; one of the three eastern rivers allotted to India.
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 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 Ravi.
Key facts
- Type
- River
- States / UTs on its course
- Himachal Pradesh, Punjab
- River system
- Himalayan
- Basin
- Indus
- Extent on map
- 30.6°–32.6°N, 71.8°–77.0°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 5 questions · 2026, 2021, 2010, 2009
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.