Questions 1-8
1. Write about the geographical location of India.
India is located in South Asia and occupies a strategic position in the Indian Ocean region. Key geographical features include:
- Latitude: India extends from 8°4'N to 37°6'N latitude
- Longitude: It extends from 68°7'E to 97°25'E longitude
- Location: Situated in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres
- Boundaries: Bordered by Pakistan to the northwest, China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north, Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east
- Water bodies: Arabian Sea to the west, Bay of Bengal to the east, and Indian Ocean to the south
- Islands: Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea
The Tropic of Cancer (23°30'N) passes through the middle of India, dividing it into almost equal halves.
2. What is the total length of Indian coastlines?
The total length of the Indian coastline is approximately 7,516.6 kilometers. This includes:
- Mainland coastline: about 6,100 km
- Island territories (Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep): about 1,416.6 km
India has a long coastline touching nine states and four union territories, making it strategically important for maritime trade and defense.
3. What is the total length of the land boundaries of India.
The total length of India's land boundaries is approximately 15,106.7 kilometers.
India shares land borders with seven countries:
- Bangladesh: 4,096.7 km (longest land border)
- China: 3,488 km
- Pakistan: 3,323 km
- Nepal: 1,751 km
- Myanmar: 1,643 km
- Bhutan: 699 km
- Afghanistan: 106 km
4. Write a short note on Indian landmass.
The Indian landmass covers a total area of approximately 3.28 million square kilometers, making it the seventh-largest country in the world.
Key features of the Indian landmass:
- Shape: Roughly triangular in shape, with a wide northern base tapering southward into the Indian Ocean
- Extension: Extends about 3,214 km from north to south and about 2,933 km from east to west
- Peninsular feature: The southern part forms a large peninsula projecting into the Indian Ocean
- Diversity: Contains diverse physical features including mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts, and coastal regions
- Area: Accounts for about 2.4% of the world's total land area
5. Write down four points of differences between the North and the South Indian rivers.
| North Indian Rivers |
South Indian Rivers |
| Perennial rivers (flow throughout the year) due to rainfall and snowmelt from Himalayas |
Seasonal rivers (depend on monsoon rainfall) |
| Form large deltas at their mouths (e.g., Ganga-Brahmaputra delta) |
Form estuaries rather than large deltas |
| Long and meandering courses through plains |
Shorter and straighter courses from plateau to coast |
| Young rivers still in erosional stage, carrying more sediment |
Old, mature rivers flowing through hard rock terrain |
6. What are the physiographic division of India?
India can be divided into the following major physiographic divisions:
- The Northern Himalayan Mountain Region: Includes the Greater Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas, and Shiwaliks
- The Northern Plains: Formed by the Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra river systems, extending from Punjab to Assam
- The Peninsular Plateau: Ancient landmass including the Deccan Plateau, bounded by the Western and Eastern Ghats
- The Coastal Plains: Western Coastal Plains (Konkan, Malabar) and Eastern Coastal Plains (Coromandel, Northern Circar)
- The Islands: Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea
- The Indian Desert: The Thar Desert in western Rajasthan
7. What are the characteristics of the Northern Himalayan Mountain Region of India?
Characteristics of the Northern Himalayan Mountain Region:
- Age: Young fold mountains, geologically recent and still rising
- Height: Contains some of the world's highest peaks, including Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga
- Structure: Divided into three parallel ranges: Greater Himalayas (Himadri), Lesser Himalayas (Himachal), and Shiwaliks
- Climate barrier: Protects India from cold Central Asian winds
- Water source: Origin of major perennial rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra
- Glaciers: Contains numerous glaciers that feed rivers
- Biodiversity: Rich in flora and fauna with diverse vegetation zones
- Strategic importance: Forms a natural defense barrier along India's northern border
8. Describe the characteristics of the North Indian Plain.
Characteristics of the North Indian Plain:
- Formation: Formed by the depositional work of three major river systems: Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra
- Extent: Extends from Punjab to Assam, covering about 7 lakh square kilometers
- Soil: Extremely fertile alluvial soil, ideal for agriculture
- Topography: Flat and level terrain with gentle slope
- Population: Most densely populated region of India
- Agriculture: Major food bowl of India, producing wheat, rice, sugarcane, and other crops
- Rivers: Crisscrossed by numerous rivers and their tributaries
- Divisions: Can be divided into Punjab-Haryana Plains, Ganga Plains, and Brahmaputra Plains
Questions 9-16
9. Describe the characteristics of the Deccan Plateau.
Characteristics of the Deccan Plateau:
- Age: One of the oldest landmasses, part of the ancient Gondwana land
- Location: Triangular in shape, lying south of the Narmada River
- Elevation: Slopes from west to east with average elevation of 600-900 meters
- Rock type: Composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks, particularly basalt
- Soil: Black soil (regur) in northwestern part, ideal for cotton cultivation
- Boundaries: Bounded by Western Ghats on the west and Eastern Ghats on the east
- Rivers: Most rivers flow eastward and drain into the Bay of Bengal
- Climate: Generally drier than the coastal plains
10. Mention the characteristics of the Coastal Region of India.
Characteristics of Indian Coastal Regions:
Western Coastal Plain:
- Narrow strip between Western Ghats and Arabian Sea
- Divided into Konkan Coast, Kanara Coast, and Malabar Coast
- Rich in natural harbors and ports
- High rainfall and lush vegetation
Eastern Coastal Plain:
- Wider than the western coast
- Divided into Coromandel Coast and Northern Circar
- Formed by deltas of major rivers (Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri)
- Fertile soil, ideal for rice cultivation
- Fewer natural harbors compared to western coast
11. Write down the characteristics of the climate of India.
Characteristics of Indian Climate:
- Type: Tropical monsoon climate
- Monsoon dominance: Climate largely governed by monsoon winds
- Seasons: Four main seasons - Winter, Summer, Monsoon (Southwest), and Retreating Monsoon
- Temperature variation: Wide temperature range from very hot deserts to cold mountains
- Rainfall: Uneven distribution - heavy in northeast, scanty in northwest
- Regional diversity: Climate varies significantly across different regions
- Tropical influence: Most of India lies in tropical zone except northern mountains
- Humidity: Generally high humidity during monsoon season
12. Write a note on the impact of monsoons in India.
Impact of Monsoons in India:
Positive impacts:
- Agriculture: Provides essential water for crops; about 65% of cultivated area depends on monsoon rainfall
- Water resources: Fills rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and replenishes groundwater
- Economy: Agricultural productivity directly affects the economy
- Hydropower: Supports hydroelectric power generation
Negative impacts:
- Floods: Excessive rainfall causes devastating floods
- Drought: Delayed or insufficient monsoon leads to drought conditions
- Unpredictability: Variation in timing and intensity affects crop planning
- Infrastructure damage: Heavy rains damage roads, buildings, and infrastructure
13. Outline the pattern of rainfall distribution in India.
Rainfall Distribution Pattern in India:
Rainfall in India is highly uneven and varies significantly across regions:
- Highest rainfall: Mawsynram and Cherrapunji in Meghalaya (over 11,000 mm annually)
- Heavy rainfall areas: Western Ghats, northeastern states, coastal areas (200-300 cm)
- Moderate rainfall: Northern plains, peninsular interior (100-200 cm)
- Low rainfall: Western Rajasthan, parts of Gujarat, rain shadow areas of Western Ghats (less than 50 cm)
- Seasonal pattern: About 80% of annual rainfall occurs during southwest monsoon (June-September)
- East to West gradient: Rainfall generally decreases from east to west
- Rain shadow effect: Areas on leeward side of mountains receive less rainfall
14. Write about the types of the vegetations of India.
Major Vegetation Types of India:
- Tropical Evergreen Forests: Found in areas with high rainfall (Western Ghats, northeastern states); trees remain green throughout the year
- Tropical Deciduous Forests: Most widespread; shed leaves in dry season; found in regions with moderate rainfall
- Tropical Thorn Forests: Found in low rainfall areas (western Rajasthan); consist of thorny shrubs and small trees
- Montane Forests: Found in mountainous regions; vary with altitude from tropical to alpine vegetation
- Mangrove Forests: Found in coastal areas and river deltas; adapted to saline water
- Desert Vegetation: Sparse vegetation in arid regions; plants adapted to water scarcity
15. What are the characteristics of the Evergreen vegetation of India?
Characteristics of Evergreen Vegetation:
- Location: Found in areas receiving over 200 cm annual rainfall (Western Ghats, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, northeastern states)
- Appearance: Trees remain green throughout the year; no definite season for shedding leaves
- Density: Very dense and multilayered canopy; little sunlight reaches the ground
- Height: Trees can reach heights of 45-60 meters
- Species: Include rosewood, mahogany, ebony, rubber, bamboo, and various palms
- Biodiversity: Rich in flora and fauna; high species diversity
- Commercial value: Many valuable timber species but difficult to exploit due to density
- Undergrowth: Dense undergrowth of shrubs, ferns, and creepers
16. Write about the characteristics of the Mountain Vegetation of India.
Characteristics of Mountain Vegetation:
Mountain vegetation varies with altitude and exhibits distinct zones:
- Tropical zone (up to 1,500 m): Similar to tropical vegetation of plains
- Temperate zone (1,500-3,500 m): Coniferous forests with pine, deodar, fir, spruce, cedar; grasslands in some areas
- Alpine zone (3,500-4,500 m): Shrubs, dwarf trees, and grasslands
- Above 4,500 m: Mosses, lichens, and no vegetation near snow line
- Adaptation: Trees adapted to cold climate with needle-shaped leaves
- Economic importance: Source of valuable timber, medicinal plants, and herbs
- Biodiversity: Rich in unique flora including rhododendrons, junipers, and medicinal herbs
Questions 17-23
17. What is the total population of India at present?
According to the 2011 Census (the most recent comprehensive census), India's population was approximately 1.21 billion (121 crore).
Current estimates (2025) suggest India's population is approximately 1.45-1.5 billion, making it the world's most populous country, having surpassed China recently.
Key demographic features:
- Second most populous country in the world
- About 17-18% of the world's population lives in India
- Population density varies greatly across states
- Rapid urbanization with growing city populations
18. What are the different types of migration?
Types of Migration:
Based on direction:
- Internal migration: Movement within the country
- International migration: Movement across national borders
Based on origin and destination:
- Rural to rural: From one village to another
- Rural to urban: From villages to cities
- Urban to rural: From cities to villages (less common)
- Urban to urban: From one city to another
Based on duration:
- Permanent migration: Permanent change of residence
- Temporary migration: Seasonal or short-term movement
19. What are the impacts of migration on India?
Impacts of Migration on India:
Positive impacts:
- Economic growth: Labor mobility contributes to economic development
- Remittances: Money sent back by migrants supports families and local economies
- Skill development: Exposure to new skills and technologies
- Cultural exchange: Promotes cultural diversity and exchange of ideas
Negative impacts:
- Urban congestion: Overcrowding in cities, strain on infrastructure
- Slum development: Growth of informal settlements
- Agricultural decline: Labor shortage in rural areas
- Social issues: Family separation, exploitation of migrant workers
- Pressure on resources: Increased demand for water, housing, healthcare in destination areas
20. Write down the main features of Indian economy.
Main Features of Indian Economy:
- Mixed economy: Combination of public and private sector enterprises
- Agriculture dominated: Large portion of population depends on agriculture, though contribution to GDP is declining
- Service sector dominance: Largest contributor to GDP (over 50%)
- Growing industrial sector: Manufacturing, IT, pharmaceuticals, automobiles
- Rapid economic growth: One of the fastest-growing major economies
- Large workforce: Demographic dividend with young population
- Regional disparities: Uneven development across states
- Globalization: Increasing integration with world economy through trade and investment
- Challenges: Poverty, unemployment, income inequality persist
21. What are the Union Territories of India?
India currently has 8 Union Territories:
- Delhi (National Capital Territory)
- Chandigarh
- Puducherry
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Lakshadweep
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (merged in 2020)
- Jammu and Kashmir (became UT in 2019)
- Ladakh (became UT in 2019)
Union Territories are administered directly by the Central Government through an Administrator appointed by the President of India.
22. How many states are there in India at present and name those.
India currently has 28 States:
- Andhra Pradesh
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Assam
- Bihar
- Chhattisgarh
- Goa
- Gujarat
- Haryana