India is a land of rivers, which have been the lifelines of its civilizations for millennia. These mighty water bodies have shaped the country’s geography, culture, and economy. From the sacred Ganga to the vast Brahmaputra, India’s rivers are integral to its identity. This 2026 geographical guide provides a comprehensive list of the longest rivers in India, detailing their length, origin, and the regions they nourish. Understanding these river systems is key to appreciating the natural landscape of the nation, from the highest mountain peaks where they originate to the plains they enrich.
Quick Answer
The longest river in India is the Ganga (Ganges), with a total length of 2,525 km within the country. However, if considering the total length including flow through other countries, the Brahmaputra is longer. Other major long rivers include the Godavari (1,465 km), often called the ‘Dakshin Ganga’, the Krishna (1,400 km), and the Yamuna (1,376 km).
Classification of Indian Rivers
Indian rivers can be broadly classified into two main groups based on their origin:
- Himalayan Rivers: These rivers are perennial, meaning they have water throughout the year. They originate from the snow-capped Himalayan mountains and are fed by both glaciers and monsoon rains. The major Himalayan river systems are the Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra.
- Peninsular Rivers: These rivers are mostly seasonal, as they are dependent on monsoon rainfall. They originate in the peninsular plateau and are older than the Himalayan rivers. The major peninsular rivers include the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, which flow eastwards into the Bay of Bengal, and the Narmada and Tapi, which flow westwards into the Arabian Sea.
Top 10 Longest Rivers in India (by length within India)
Here is a detailed list of the ten longest rivers flowing within the borders of India, updated for 2026.
1. Ganga (Ganges)
- Length in India: 2,525 km
- Origin: Gangotri Glacier, Uttarakhand
- Major States Covered: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal
- Ends in: Bay of Bengal
- Key Facts: The Ganga is the most sacred river for Hindus and is a lifeline for millions of Indians. Its basin is one of the most fertile and densely populated regions in the world. Its main tributary, the Yamuna, is also one of India’s longest rivers.
2. Godavari
- Length in India: 1,465 km
- Origin: Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Maharashtra
- Major States Covered: Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha
- Ends in: Bay of Bengal
- Key Facts: The Godavari is the longest river in Peninsular India and is often referred to as the ‘Dakshina Ganga’ (Ganga of the South) due to its size and significance. It has the second-largest river basin in the country, after the Ganga.
3. Krishna
- Length in India: 1,400 km
- Origin: Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
- Major States Covered: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
- Ends in: Bay of Bengal
- Key Facts: The Krishna River is another major river of Peninsular India. Its basin is a significant agricultural region, known for rice cultivation. Major tributaries include the Bhima and Tungabhadra.
4. Yamuna
- Length in India: 1,376 km
- Origin: Yamunotri Glacier, Uttarakhand
- Major States Covered: Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh
- Ends in: Joins the Ganga at Prayagraj (Allahabad)
- Key Facts: The Yamuna is the longest and second-largest tributary of the Ganga. It flows through the national capital, Delhi, and passes by several historical cities, including Agra, the home of the Taj Mahal.
5. Narmada
- Length in India: 1,312 km
- Origin: Amarkantak Plateau, Madhya Pradesh
- Major States Covered: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat
- Ends in: Arabian Sea
- Key Facts: The Narmada is the longest west-flowing river in Peninsular India. It flows through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges. It is considered one of the holiest rivers in India.
6. Indus (Sindhu)
- Length in India: 1,114 km (Total length is 3,180 km)
- Origin: Mansarovar Lake, Tibetan Plateau
- Major States Covered: Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
- Ends in: Arabian Sea (near Karachi, Pakistan)
- Key Facts: While a significant portion of the Indus flows through Pakistan, its Indian stretch is crucial for the Ladakh region. The name ‘India’ is derived from this river. The Indus Valley Civilization flourished in its basin.
7. Brahmaputra
- Length in India: 916 km (Total length is 2,900 km)
- Origin: Angsi Glacier, Tibetan Plateau (where it is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo)
- Major States Covered: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam
- Ends in: Bay of Bengal (after joining the Ganga in Bangladesh)
- Key Facts: The Brahmaputra is one of the world’s major rivers in terms of volume. It enters India in Arunachal Pradesh, where it is called the Siang. In Assam, it becomes a wide, braided river, causing both life-sustaining floods and significant devastation.
8. Mahanadi
- Length in India: 851 km
- Origin: Sihawa, Chhattisgarh
- Major States Covered: Chhattisgarh, Odisha
- Ends in: Bay of Bengal
- Key Facts: The Mahanadi river is known for the Hirakud Dam in Odisha, one of the longest dams in the world. Its fertile delta is a major rice-producing area.
9. Kaveri (Cauvery)
- Length in India: 800 km
- Origin: Talakaveri, Kodagu district, Karnataka
- Major States Covered: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
- Ends in: Bay of Bengal
- Key Facts: The Kaveri is a sacred river in South India, often called the ‘Ganga of the South’. Its waters are a source of extensive irrigation and a subject of a long-standing water-sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
10. Tapi (Tapti)
- Length in India: 724 km
- Origin: Multai, Betul district, Madhya Pradesh
- Major States Covered: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat
- Ends in: Arabian Sea
- Key Facts: The Tapi is the second-longest west-flowing river in Peninsular India, after the Narmada. It also flows through a rift valley, parallel to the Narmada.
Summary Table of Longest Rivers in India
| Rank | River | Length in India (km) | Origin | Flows Into |
| 1 | Ganga | 2,525 | Gangotri Glacier, Uttarakhand | Bay of Bengal |
| 2 | Godavari | 1,465 | Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra | Bay of Bengal |
| 3 | Krishna | 1,400 | Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra | Bay of Bengal |
| 4 | Yamuna | 1,376 | Yamunotri Glacier, Uttarakhand | Ganga River |
| 5 | Narmada | 1,312 | Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh | Arabian Sea |
| 6 | Indus | 1,114 | Mansarovar Lake, Tibet | Arabian Sea |
| 7 | Brahmaputra | 916 | Angsi Glacier, Tibet | Bay of Bengal |
| 8 | Mahanadi | 851 | Sihawa, Chhattisgarh | Bay of Bengal |
| 9 | Kaveri | 800 | Talakaveri, Karnataka | Bay of Bengal |
| 10 | Tapi | 724 | Multai, Madhya Pradesh | Arabian Sea |
The Importance of Rivers in India
India’s rivers are more than just geographical features. They are central to the country’s:
- Agriculture: They provide water for irrigation, making agriculture possible in vast parts of the country.
- Drinking Water: They are a primary source of drinking water for millions of people.
- Hydroelectric Power: Numerous dams have been built on these rivers to generate electricity.
- Transportation: Inland waterways are used for transporting goods and people.
- Culture and Religion: Rivers like the Ganga are revered and are central to many religious rituals and festivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the longest river in India?
The Ganga is the longest river that flows within the territory of India, with a length of 2,525 km. If the total length of a river is considered (including its course outside India), the Brahmaputra is longer, but its length within India is only 916 km.
What is the longest river in South India?
The Godavari River is the longest river in South India (Peninsular India), with a length of 1,465 km. Due to its length and the large area it covers, it is often referred to as the ‘Dakshina Ganga’ or the Ganga of the South.
Which major Indian rivers flow into the Arabian Sea?
The two most prominent and longest rivers that flow westwards into the Arabian Sea are the Narmada and the Tapi. Both originate in the central part of India and flow through rift valleys. The Indus River also ultimately drains into the Arabian Sea after flowing through Pakistan.
What is the difference between Himalayan and Peninsular rivers?
Himalayan rivers (like Ganga, Yamuna) originate from the Himalayas, are fed by glaciers and rain, and are perennial (flow year-round). Peninsular rivers (like Godavari, Krishna) originate in the Indian peninsula, are fed only by rain, and are seasonal, with reduced flow during the dry season.
What is a river tributary?
A tributary is a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river (the main stem river). For example, the Yamuna is the longest tributary of the Ganga. It does not flow directly into the sea but merges with the Ganga at Prayagraj.