Exercise Solutions Available
Step-by-step answers for all textbook questions in this chapter
Our Country: India: NCERT Exercise Solutions
Welcome to the complete NCERT exercise solutions for Class 6 Social Science Geography Chapter 7 — Our Country: India. This page provides detailed, step-by-step answers to all textbook questions, intext questions, MCQs, and additional practice material aligned with the latest CBSE syllabus. Every answer is written in simple language so that Class 6 students can understand and remember the concepts easily.
How to Use This Page
1. Read the Key Concepts section first for a quick recap of important terms and definitions. 2. Attempt the intext questions on your own before reading the answers — this strengthens your understanding. 3. Match your answers with the detailed solutions provided for chapter-end exercise questions. 4. Practise the MCQs to test your recall and identify weak areas. 5. Review the Common Mistakes section so you do not lose marks in the exam. 6. Use the Exam Checklist as a final revision tool before your test.
Key Concepts (Quick Recap)
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| India | A large country in South Asia; the seventh-largest country in the world by area and the second-most populous country. |
| Subcontinent | A landmass that is part of a continent but is distinguished by its geography, culture, and history; India is called a subcontinent because of its distinct features. |
| Tropic of Cancer | The latitude 23°30'N that passes through the middle of India, dividing it into almost two equal halves in terms of area. |
| Latitudinal Extent | The north-south spread of India, from 8°4'N (southernmost point — Indira Point) to 37°6'N (northernmost point — Ladakh region). |
| Longitudinal Extent | The east-west spread of India, from 68°7'E (westernmost point — Gujarat) to 97°25'E (easternmost point — Arunachal Pradesh). |
| States | India has 28 states, each with its own government. States are administrative units with elected legislatures. |
| Union Territories | India has 8 Union Territories which are administered by the Central Government. Examples: Delhi, Chandigarh, Puducherry. |
| Neighbouring Countries | Countries sharing a land or sea border with India — Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. |
| Peninsula | A piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides; the Indian Peninsula is bounded by the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean. |
| Arabian Sea | The sea that lies to the west of the Indian Peninsula. |
| Bay of Bengal | The sea that lies to the east of the Indian Peninsula. |
| Indian Ocean | The ocean to the south of India; it is the only ocean named after a country. |
| Island Groups | India has two major island groups — the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea. |
| Standard Meridian | The longitude 82°30'E is India's standard meridian, used to determine Indian Standard Time (IST). |
Intext Questions
Chapter-End Exercise Questions
Q1. What are the major physical divisions of India?
India can be divided into six major physical divisions:
1. The Himalayan Mountains — The mighty mountain ranges in the north that stretch from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. 2. The Northern Plains — The flat, fertile plains south of the Himalayas, formed by the rivers Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra and their tributaries. 3. The Great Indian Desert — Also called the Thar Desert, located in Rajasthan; it receives very little rainfall. 4. The Peninsular Plateau — The triangular-shaped plateau south of the Northern Plains, composed of old rocks; includes the Deccan Plateau. 5. The Coastal Plains — Narrow strips of land along the Arabian Sea (Western Coastal Plain) and the Bay of Bengal (Eastern Coastal Plain). 6. The Islands — The Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.
Q2. What is the latitudinal extent of India? How is it significant?
The latitudinal extent of India is from 8°4'N to 37°6'N. This is significant because:
- The large north-south distance (about 3,214 km) means India experiences a wide range of climates — from the extreme cold of the Himalayas to the tropical heat of the southern coastal regions.
- The Tropic of Cancer (23°30'N) passes through the middle of India, dividing the country into two almost equal halves.
- The southern part lies in the tropical zone, which receives direct sunlight for most of the year, while the northern part has more seasonal variation in temperature.
Q3. Which longitude is the standard meridian of India? Why was it chosen?
The 82°30'E longitude is the standard meridian of India. It passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh (near Allahabad/Prayagraj). It was chosen because:
- It lies almost in the middle of India's east-west extent (68°7'E to 97°25'E).
- Using one standard meridian ensures a uniform time — Indian Standard Time (IST) — across the country.
- Without a standard meridian, there would be a time difference of about 2 hours between the easternmost and westernmost parts of India, causing confusion in transport, communication, and daily life.
Q4. Name the neighbouring countries of India. Classify them.
India's neighbouring countries can be classified as follows:
Land neighbours (sharing a land border):
| Direction | Countries |
|---|---|
| Northwest | Pakistan, Afghanistan |
| North | China (Tibet), Nepal, Bhutan |
| East | Myanmar, Bangladesh |
Sea neighbours (separated by sea):
| Direction | Countries |
|---|---|
| South (Palk Strait / Gulf of Mannar) | Sri Lanka |
| Southwest (Arabian Sea) | Maldives |
India shares its longest land border with Bangladesh (4,096 km) and its shortest land border with Afghanistan (through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, approx. 106 km).
Q5. Which ocean is named after India? Give reasons why it was named after India.
The Indian Ocean is named after India. The reasons are:
1. Long coastline: India has a very long coastline along the Indian Ocean — no other country has such an extensive coastline on this ocean. 2. Central location: India occupies a central position in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Peninsula protrudes into the ocean, making India seem like the focal point. 3. Historical significance: Since ancient times, India has been a major centre of trade and commerce in the Indian Ocean region. Indian traders travelled by sea to Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, making India the most prominent country in this ocean. 4. No other country's name: Among all the countries bordering the Indian Ocean, India is the largest and most influential, which is why the ocean came to be named after it.
Q6. Name the major physical divisions of India and describe each briefly.
1. The Himalayan Mountains: The Himalayas are young fold mountains that form India's northern boundary. They extend from the Indus in the west to the Brahmaputra in the east, covering about 2,400 km. They have three parallel ranges — the Greater Himalayas (Himadri), the Lesser Himalayas (Himachal), and the Outer Himalayas (Shiwaliks). They are covered with snow and glaciers and are the source of many major rivers.
2. The Northern Plains: These are vast, flat plains lying south of the Himalayas. They are formed by the alluvial deposits brought by the rivers Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra and their tributaries. The soil here is very fertile, making it one of the most productive agricultural regions of the world. The plains are densely populated.
3. The Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert): Located in western Rajasthan, it is a vast sandy region that receives very little rainfall (less than 25 cm per year). It has very little vegetation and extreme temperatures — very hot in summer and cold in winter.
4. The Peninsular Plateau: This is a triangular-shaped plateau lying south of the Northern Plains. It is one of the oldest landmasses of India, made up of old, hard rocks. It has two main divisions — the Central Highlands (north of the Narmada) and the Deccan Plateau (south of the Narmada). The plateau is rich in minerals.
5. The Coastal Plains: These are narrow strips of land along the western and eastern coasts of India. The Western Coastal Plain lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, and the Eastern Coastal Plain lies between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal. The Eastern Coastal Plain is broader and has many river deltas.
6. The Islands: India has two major island groups. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands lie in the Bay of Bengal and are of volcanic origin. The Lakshadweep Islands lie in the Arabian Sea and are formed from coral deposits. Both groups have rich biodiversity and strategic importance.
Q7. Fill in the blanks
1. India lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. 2. The Tropic of Cancer passes through 8 states of India. 3. The southernmost point of India is Indira Point (in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands). 4. India's total area accounts for about 2.4% of the total area of the world. 5. The Sundarbans delta is the world's largest delta formed by the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers. 6. The standard meridian of India passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. 7. India's north-south extent is approximately 3,214 km. 8. India's east-west extent is approximately 2,933 km.
Q8. True or False
Q9. Match the Column
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| (i) Himalayas | (c) Young fold mountains |
| (ii) Northern Plains | (e) Fertile alluvial soil |
| (iii) Thar Desert | (a) Hot and sandy region |
| (iv) Peninsular Plateau | (b) Oldest landmass of India |
| (v) Indian Ocean | (d) Named after a country |
| (vi) Lakshadweep | (f) Coral island group in the Arabian Sea |
| (vii) Andaman and Nicobar | (g) Volcanic island group in the Bay of Bengal |
MCQ Practice
Choose the correct option for each question. The correct answer is marked with a tick (✓).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Confusing the southernmost point of India with the southernmost point of mainland India. Indira Point (in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands) is the southernmost point of India, while Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of mainland India. Always read the question carefully to know which one is being asked.
2. Writing incorrect latitudinal and longitudinal extents. Students often mix up the exact values. Remember: Latitude — 8°4'N to 37°6'N; Longitude — 68°7'E to 97°25'E. The southernmost latitude (8°4'N) and the northernmost (37°6'N) are frequently confused.
3. Counting the number of states and union territories incorrectly. As of 2024, India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories. The reorganisation of Jammu & Kashmir (2019) changed the count, so using older textbooks may give you 29 states, which is now outdated.
4. Forgetting Afghanistan as a neighbour. Many students forget that Afghanistan is one of India's neighbours, even though the border is through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Remember all nine neighbours: Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Maldives.
5. Calling the Himalayas "old" mountains. The Himalayas are young fold mountains. They are still growing in height. The Peninsular Plateau, on the other hand, is one of the oldest landmasses — do not confuse the two.
6. Confusing the physical divisions. Students sometimes mix up the Great Indian Desert with the Peninsular Plateau, or the Coastal Plains with the Northern Plains. Remember: the Northern Plains are formed by river alluvium and are extremely fertile; the Thar Desert is sandy and receives very little rain; the Peninsular Plateau is made of old, hard rocks.
Exam Checklist
Before your exam, make sure you can answer "Yes" to each of these:
1. [ ] Can I state India's exact latitudinal extent (8°4'N to 37°6'N) and longitudinal extent (68°7'E to 97°25'E)? 2. [ ] Can I explain why India is called a subcontinent — covering geography, climate, culture, and natural boundaries? 3. [ ] Can I list all six major physical divisions of India with a brief description of each? 4. [ ] Do I know that 82°30'E is the standard meridian of India and can I explain why it was chosen? 5. [ ] Can I name all nine neighbouring countries of India and classify them by direction (north, east, south, etc.)? 6. [ ] Can I explain why the Indian Ocean is named after India with at least two reasons? 7. [ ] Do I know the difference between Indira Point (southernmost point of India) and Kanyakumari (southernmost point of mainland India)? 8. [ ] Can I identify the two island groups — Andaman and Nicobar (Bay of Bengal) and Lakshadweep (Arabian Sea) — and describe their origin? 9. [ ] Can I state the number of states (28) and Union Territories (8) in India? 10. [ ] Can I describe the significance of the Tropic of Cancer (23°30'N) passing through India?
These solutions are aligned with the latest NCERT textbook for Class 6 Social Science (Geography). For more chapter-wise solutions, visit KalviGavani.