Which one of the following rivers does not originate in India?

The correct answer is A) Sutlej. The Sutlej rises near Rakas Tal, close to Mansarovar in Tibet (China), and enters India through Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh. So it is a river with its origin outside India.

The other three rivers all originate within India:

• Ravi rises in the Bara Bhangal area of the Dhauladhar range in Himachal Pradesh.
• Chenab is formed at Tandi in Lahaul-Spiti by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga, which rise near Baralacha La.
• Beas rises at Beas Kund near Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh.

The core concept is the drainage system of the Himalayan rivers, which the Indus system and the Indus Waters Treaty (1960) make a Mains-relevant topic. Under the treaty, the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) go to India and the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan. China being the upper riparian for the Sutlej is also why its dam and water-data issues come up in India-China discussions.

Trap: Candidates often pick Chenab or Ravi because they are tied to the Indus Treaty, and assume every western-flowing Punjab river must be Indian in origin. Check the source region, not the treaty grouping.