Which is a west-flowing peninsular river?

Correct answer: Narmada

The direct answer is B: Narmada. Narmada is a major west-flowing Peninsular river. It rises near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and flows west through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges before entering the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Khambhat. The key reasoning is to identify the river’s direction and outlet. Option B is correct because Narmada is one of the well-known exceptions to the general pattern of large Peninsular rivers flowing east to the Bay of Bengal. Option A, Krishna, is mainly east-flowing and drains into the Bay of Bengal. Option C, Kaveri, also flows generally eastward and reaches the Bay of Bengal. Option D, Mahanadi, is another important east-flowing river that enters the Bay of Bengal. The question asks for a west-flowing Peninsular river, so the best answer is Narmada. Tapi is another important west-flowing river and is often remembered together with Narmada. Exam cue: Narmada and Tapi flow west; Krishna, Kaveri and Mahanadi flow east.