The differences between the two main groups of rivers of India are as follows:
The Himalayan Rivers
1. The Himalayan rivers are perennial in nature. They are fed by the melting snow and glaciers of the lofty ranges supplemented by monsoon rains. Hence, the rivers flow throughout the year.
2. The Himalayan rivers have long course from their sources in the mountains to the sea.
3. The Himalayan rivers rise in the Himadri, Himachal or Shivalik section of the Himalayas and form the Northern Plains with their deposition of alluvium.
4. The Himalayan rivers flow through geologically unstable areas and are of uncertain nature.
5. They perform intensive erosional activity in upper course. In middle and lower course they form meanders, oxbow lakes, extensive flood- plains and well-developed deltas.
The Peninsular Rivers
1. The Peninsular rivers are non-perennial in nature. They are fed by monsoon rains and have heavy flow during rainy season followed by the reduced flow during dry season. So they are seasonal rivers.
2. The Peninsular rivers have shorter and shallower courses as compared to their Himalayan counterparts.
3. Most of the rivers of Peninsular India originate in the Western Ghats and flow towards the Bay of Bengal. However, some of them originate in the Central Highlands and flow towards west.
4. Peninsular rivers originate at much lower altitudes and flow through geologically stable areas.
5. The Narmada and Tapi are fault-guided rivers. The east-flowing rivers form large deltas. Meanders are not notable in these rivers.
