Dams are tested in UPSC both as geography (river-dam mapping, states, reservoir names) and as current affairs (inter-state water disputes, dam safety, irrigation projects). Key distinctions to remember: Tehri is India's tallest dam; Hirakud is the longest; Indira Sagar has the largest reservoir by volume. The Narmada, Krishna, and Cauvery river systems have the most disputed dams.

Major Dams of India

DamRiverStatePurposeReservoir NameKey Facts
Tehri DamBhagirathi (tributary of Ganga)UttarakhandHydro (1,000 MW), Irrigation, Water SupplyTehri Reservoir (Swami Rama Sagar)Tallest dam in India (260.5 m); 13th tallest in world; rock and earth-fill dam; submerged old Tehri town
Bhakra DamSutlejHimachal Pradesh (border with Punjab)Hydro, IrrigationGobind Sagar226 m tall; concrete gravity dam; 2nd tallest in India; Nehru called it "New Temple of Resurgent India"
Nangal DamSutlejPunjabRegulator/Feeder for canals—Located downstream of Bhakra; Bhakra-Nangal project together
Pong DamBeasHimachal PradeshIrrigation, HydroMaharana Pratap SagarLargest reservoir in HP by volume; Ramsar site
Pandoh DamBeasHimachal PradeshHydro, DiversionPandoh LakeDiverts Beas water to Sutlej via tunnel
Nathpa Jhakri DamSutlejHimachal PradeshHydro (1,500 MW)—Largest hydroelectric project in HP
Salal DamChenabJ&KHydro (690 MW)—First major project on Chenab in J&K
Baglihar DamChenabJ&KHydro (900 MW)—India-Pakistan dispute under Indus Waters Treaty; neutral expert ruling favoured India
Kishanganga DamKishanganga (Neelum)J&KHydro (330 MW), Water Diversion—Pakistan contested at Permanent Court of Arbitration
Sardar Sarovar DamNarmadaGujaratIrrigation, Hydro, Drinking waterSardar Sarovar Reservoir163 m tall; largest dam in Gujarat; Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) protests; benefits Gujarat, MP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra
Omkareshwar DamNarmadaMadhya PradeshHydro (520 MW), IrrigationOmkareshwar ReservoirSacred island Mandhata between dam and Maheshwar
Indira Sagar DamNarmadaMadhya PradeshHydro (1,000 MW), IrrigationIndira Sagar LakeLargest reservoir in India by volume capacity
Maheshwar DamNarmadaMadhya PradeshHydro (400 MW)—Controversial private hydro project; Ghats at Maheshwar town
Hirakud DamMahanadiOdishaFlood control, Irrigation, HydroHirakud ReservoirLongest earthen dam in world (25.79 km total including dykes); built 1957; reservoir is one of largest artificial lakes in Asia
Tungabhadra DamTungabhadraKarnataka/APIrrigation, HydroTungabhadra ReservoirJoint project of AP and Karnataka; serves Bellary, Raichur; Hampi nearby
Nagarjuna Sagar DamKrishnaTelangana/APIrrigation, Hydro (816 MW)Nagarjuna Sagar LakeOne of largest masonry dams in world; built 1967
Srisailam DamKrishnaTelangana/APHydro (1,670 MW)Srisailam Reservoir2nd largest hydro capacity in AP/Telangana; inside Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Almatti DamKrishnaKarnatakaIrrigation, HydroLal Bahadur Shastri ReservoirInter-state water dispute; Karnataka vs AP/Telangana; height increase controversy
Koyna DamKoyna (tributary of Krishna)MaharashtraHydro (1,920 MW)Shivajisagar LakeKoyna earthquake (1967) — serious example of reservoir-induced seismicity (6.5 magnitude)
Jayakwadi DamGodavari (Pravara tributary)MaharashtraIrrigation, Drinking waterNathsagarLargest dam in Maharashtra; Aurangabad region
Mettur DamKaveriTamil NaduIrrigation, HydroStanley ReservoirOldest dam in TN (1934); supplies water to TN's delta; opening date (June 12) monitored annually for monsoon
Krishnaraja Sagara (KRS)KaveriKarnatakaIrrigation, Drinking water (Mysuru, Bengaluru)KRS Reservoir / KannambadiVrindavan Gardens on its bank; built 1931; Kaveri water dispute
Kabini DamKabini (tributary of Kaveri)KarnatakaIrrigation, HydroKabini ReservoirPopular wildlife resort; Nagarhole NP
Mullaperiyar DamPeriyarKerala (owned by Tamil Nadu)Water diversion to TN, HydroPeriyar Lake116-year-old dam; TN owns and operates it but it stands in Kerala; inter-state dispute over safety and height
Idukki DamPeriyar (above Mullaperiyar)KeralaHydro (780 MW)Idukki ReservoirOne of the largest arch dams in Asia; between two granite hills
Ukai DamTapiGujaratFlood control, Irrigation, HydroVallabh SagarLargest reservoir in Gujarat; flood moderation for Surat
Rihand DamRihand (tributary of Son)Uttar PradeshHydro (300 MW)Govind Ballabh Pant SagarLargest reservoir in UP; one of largest in India
Bansagar DamSonMP/Jharkhand/UP borderIrrigation, Hydro (435 MW)Bansagar ReservoirJoint project of MP, UP, Bihar; Son River system
Gandhi Sagar DamChambalMadhya PradeshHydro, IrrigationGandhi Sagar ReservoirLargest dam on Chambal; wildlife sanctuary surrounds it
Rana Pratap Sagar DamChambalRajasthanHydro (172 MW), IrrigationRana Pratap SagarDownstream of Gandhi Sagar
Tilaiya DamBarakar (Damodar tributary)JharkhandHydro, Flood controlTilaiya ReservoirFirst DVC dam; 1953
Maithon DamBarakar (Damodar)Jharkhand/WBFlood control, HydroMaithon ReservoirDVC project; Dhanbad region
Panchet DamDamodarJharkhand/WBFlood control, HydroPanchet ReservoirDVC; near Dhanbad
Polavaram DamGodavariAndhra PradeshIrrigation (7.2 lakh ha), Hydro (960 MW), Drinking waterPolavaram ReservoirNational project; ~55.9% civil work complete as of Feb 2025; target: Dec 2027; displaced families from Telangana, Odisha, CG too; R&R a major challenge
Shahpur Kandi DamRaviPunjabHydro (206 MW), Irrigation, Flood control—Completed Feb 2024; cost ₹3,400 crore; declared national importance; irrigates 5,000 ha (Punjab) + 32,000 ha (J&K); stops Ravi waters from flowing to Pakistan unutilised; located downstream of Ranjit Sagar Dam
Dibang Multipurpose ProjectDibangArunachal PradeshHydro (2,880 MW), Flood control—Foundation stone laid by PM Modi on March 9, 2024; Lower Dibang Valley district; to be India's highest dam (278 m) when complete; NHPC project

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