Main Differences Between The Himalayan and Peninsular River System, Geography for Competitive and Entrance Examinations.
| S. No. | The Himalayan River System | Peninsular River System |
| 1. | These rivers occupy large basins and catchment area | These rivers have small basins and catchment areas. The Godavari having basin area of 3.12 lakh square kms is less than 1/3rd of Indus (11.65 sq. kms.) |
| 2. | The Himalayn rivers from huge delta at their mouth which is the result of deposition of sediment at mouth. | The river Tarmada and Tapti make estuaries whereas other big river forms details like Godavari and Cauvery. |
| 3. | The Himalayan rivers are perennial in nature where water flows throughout the year received from both snow melt and rain. | These rivers receive water only from monsoon rainfall and flows in rainy seasons. Therefore they are seasonal rivers. |
| 4. | These rivers from meander in plain areas because of huge sediment carried and deposited by them in the plains which obstruct their flow and force them to flow in zig-zag shape (meander). | These rivers have been flowing on the oldest plateau having hard rock surface of non-alluvial character forcing them not to flow in zig-zag shape. As such they flow in more or less in straight course. |
| 5. | The Himalayan rivers flow through deep I-shaped valleys called gorges which have been carved out by down-cutting carried on side by side with the uplift of the Himalayas. They signify antecedent drainage. | Peninsular rivers flow in more or less graded valley having little erosional activities to perform. They signify consequent drainage. |
| 6. | These rivers flow across the young fold mountain and are still in youthful stage. | These rivers have attained maturity because they flow through oldest plateaus of the world. |
