Lesson 2. Drainage Systems: River Basins and Their Regimes

This is a vast and critical chapter. Classify Indian rivers into the Himalayan (perennial, fed by glaciers) and Peninsular (rain-fed, seasonal) systems. Map each major river with its source, course, tributaries, and states it traverses. Focus on issues of river interlinking, disputes (Krishna-Godavari, Cauvery), and the hydropower/irrigation projects on them (e.g., Sardar Sarovar, Tehri). Use a dedicated river map from an atlas like the Oxford School Atlas. The “India Year Book” chapter on Water Resources and the “Central Water Commission” website provide data on major projects and policy initiatives relevant for current affairs.