Through which two Indian states does the river Teesta mainly flow within India?

Introduction / Context:
The Teesta River is an important river of the eastern Himalayas and the eastern part of India. It is significant for hydroelectric power, irrigation, and as a subject of water sharing discussions between India and Bangladesh. Exam questions often ask which Indian states the Teesta flows through before crossing into Bangladesh, checking basic map knowledge of northeastern and eastern India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks which two Indian states the Teesta River flows through.
• The options are Haryana and Punjab, Sikkim and West Bengal, West Bengal and Manipur, and Assam and Uttarakhand.
• We assume standard political boundaries and the usual course of the river.
• We focus on the main channel within India before it enters Bangladesh.

Concept / Approach:
The Teesta originates in the Himalayas, in the region of Sikkim, and then flows south and southeast through the Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal before crossing into Bangladesh. It does not flow through Haryana, Punjab, Manipur, Assam, or Uttarakhand. Therefore, the correct pair is the one that names Sikkim and West Bengal together.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Teesta River rises from glaciers in the Sikkim Himalayas.Step 2: Recognise that it flows through Sikkim, forming part of the boundary between Sikkim and West Bengal, and then enters the plains of West Bengal.Step 3: Note that after flowing through northern West Bengal, Teesta enters Bangladesh and eventually joins the Brahmaputra or its distributaries.Step 4: Check the options and see which pair correctly lists Sikkim and West Bengal together.Step 5: Identify Sikkim and West Bengal as the correct combination and rule out the other pairs as geographically mismatched.

Verification / Alternative check:
A physical map of northeastern India clearly shows the Teesta flowing southward from Sikkim into the northern districts of West Bengal, such as Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri, and then crossing the international boundary. Maps of Haryana, Punjab, Manipur, Assam, and Uttarakhand do not show the Teesta at all. Additionally, summaries of important rivers of West Bengal mention the Teesta as one of the major north Bengal rivers that originate in Sikkim. This visual and textual evidence confirms that Sikkim and West Bengal is the correct pair.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Haryana and Punjab: These states are located in northwestern India and are associated with rivers like the Sutlej, Beas, and Ghaggar, not the Teesta.
West Bengal and Manipur: Manipur is a northeastern hill state, but the Teesta does not flow through it; the river passes through Sikkim instead.
Assam and Uttarakhand: Uttarakhand is a Himalayan state in northern India, and Assam is in the Brahmaputra valley, but the Teesta channel does not pass through either within Indian territory.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students know that the Teesta is an eastern river and therefore guess any eastern or northeastern state pair without checking the actual map. Mixing up Teesta with other rivers such as Subansiri or Barak can also lead to errors. To avoid this, learners should remember that Teesta is specifically linked to the Sikkim Himalayas and north Bengal, so the pair Sikkim and West Bengal should immediately stand out in such questions.

Final Answer:
Within India, the Teesta River mainly flows through the states of Sikkim and West Bengal.