Which river is primarily allocated to Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty?

Question

Which river is primarily allocated to Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty?

1. A. Indus (Correct answer)
2. B. Ravi
3. C. Beas
4. D. Sutlej

Correct Answer

Option A — Indus

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Indus.

Key Points

• Under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), the three western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — were allocated primarily to Pakistan.
• The three eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas and Sutlej — were allocated to India.
• Of the options given, only the Indus is a western river; Ravi, Beas and Sutlej all belong to India's share.

Additional Information

• India retains limited non-consumptive rights on the western rivers, including run-of-the-river hydroelectric generation, navigation and limited irrigation.
• Roughly 80% of the total basin water goes to Pakistan under the treaty — a figure worth remembering for J&K-focused GK sections.