Last Updated: July 09, 2026, 12:10 IST1 / 6 India's national symbols are among the first things we learn in school.
Most people can instantly tell you that the Bengal tiger is India's national animal, the peacock is the national bird, and the lotus is the national flower.
But ask one more question—What is India's national river?—and chances are you'll be met with puzzled looks.
It is also home to unique wildlife, including the endangered Ganges river dolphin, India's national aquatic animal.
ADVERTISEMENT5 / 6 Declaring the Ganga the National River was also intended to highlight the urgent need for its conservation.
Last Updated: July 09, 2026, 12:10 IST
1 / 6 India's national symbols are among the first things we learn in school. Most people can instantly tell you that the Bengal tiger is India's national animal, the peacock is the national bird, and the lotus is the national flower. But ask one more question—What is India's national river?—and chances are you'll be met with puzzled looks. It is a surprisingly common general knowledge question that catches people off guard.
2 / 6 The answer is the Ganga, also known internationally as the Ganges. As per a report in New Indian Express, in 2012, the Government of India had announced that the Ganga River will be declared the country's National River in recognition of its immense cultural, historical, ecological and spiritual significance. Stretching over 2,500 kilometres, the river originates at Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand before flowing through the northern plains and finally emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
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3 / 6 The Ganga is much more than a geographical feature. For millions of Indians, it is revered as Maa Ganga, a sacred river believed to purify both body and soul. Cities such as Haridwar, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Patna have flourished along its banks for centuries, becoming important centres of religion, trade, education and culture. Countless festivals, rituals and pilgrimages continue to revolve around the river even today.
4 / 6 Its importance is not limited to faith alone. The Ganga basin supports nearly 40% of India's population, making it one of the most densely populated river basins in the world. The river provides water for drinking, irrigation, agriculture, fisheries and industry, sustaining livelihoods across several states. It is also home to unique wildlife, including the endangered Ganges river dolphin, India's national aquatic animal.
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5 / 6 Declaring the Ganga the National River was also intended to highlight the urgent need for its conservation. Rapid urbanisation, untreated sewage, industrial waste and plastic pollution have put enormous pressure on the river's ecosystem over the decades. Government initiatives such as the Namami Gange programme aim to clean, rejuvenate and protect the river while restoring its ecological health.
