CBSE Class 9 Social Science: India - Size and Location NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This chapter focuses on India's geographical significance, covering its size, location, and strategic importance in the Indian Ocean. The NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science, Chapter 1: India - Size and Location, provide detailed answers to questions about India's latitudinal and longitudinal extent, its neighboring countries, and the significance of its central position. Students will learn about the Tropic of Cancer, the Indian Standard Time meridian, and the island groups of India. These solutions break down complex geographical concepts into easily understandable explanations, helping students grasp the key features of India's geography. They are designed to aid in exam preparation by offering clear, concise, and accurate answers to all textbook questions, reinforcing learning and building confidence for assessments.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 9
SubjectSocial Science
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 12

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science, Chapter 1, 'India - Size and Location', cover essential geographical aspects of India. The solutions address India's size, its location relative to the world, its latitudinal and longitudinal extent, and its time zone. Key topics include neighboring countries, island groups, and the strategic importance of India's position in the Indian Ocean. This chapter helps students understand the fundamental geographical characteristics of their country.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India.
  • Locate India's neighboring countries and island groups.
  • Understand the significance of India's central location in the Indian Ocean.
  • Explain the concept of Indian Standard Time.
  • Recognize the states through which the Tropic of Cancer passes.
  • Differentiate between island groups in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • India's Size and Location
  • Latitudinal and Longitudinal Extent
  • Tropic of Cancer
  • Indian Standard Time
  • Neighboring Countries of India
  • Island Groups of India
  • Arabian Sea Islands
  • Bay of Bengal Islands
  • Southern Neighbors
  • Strategic Importance of India's Location
  • Indian Ocean
  • Land Boundaries

Important topics

  • India's Size and Location
  • Latitudinal and Longitudinal Extent
  • Indian Standard Time
  • Neighboring Countries
  • Strategic Importance of India's Location
  • Island Groups

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
  1. The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through
    1. Rajasthan
    2. Orissa
    3. Chhattisgarh
    4. Tripura
Solution: The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of India, dividing it into two almost equal halves. The states through which it passes are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram. Orissa is not one of these states. Therefore, the correct option is (b) Orissa.

Question 1

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
  1. The easternmost longitude of India is
    1. 97° 25′ E
    2. 68° 7′ E
    3. 77° 6′ E
    4. 82° 32′ E
Solution: India's longitudinal extent stretches from 68° 7′ E in the west (Gujarat) to 97° 25′ E in the east (Arunachal Pradesh). Thus, the easternmost longitude of India is 97° 25′ E. The option (d) 82° 32′ E represents the Standard Meridian of India.

Question 1

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
  1. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim have common frontiers with
    1. China
    2. Bhutan
    3. Nepal
    4. Myanmar
Solution: The northern borders of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim are shared with Nepal. These states form a contiguous stretch along India's northern frontier with Nepal.

Question 1

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
  1. If you intend to visit Kavarati during your summer vacations, which one of the following Union Territories of India you will be going to?
    1. Puducherry
    2. Lakshadweep
    3. Andaman and Nicobar
    4. Diu and Daman
Solution: Kavarati is the capital of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. Lakshadweep is a group of islands located in the Arabian Sea. Therefore, if you intend to visit Kavarati, you will be going to Lakshadweep.

Question 1

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
  1. My friend hails from a country which does not share land boundary with India. Identify the country.
    1. Bhutan
    2. Tajikistan
    3. Bangladesh
    4. Nepal
Solution: India shares land boundaries with several countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Tajikistan is located to the north of Afghanistan and does not share a direct land boundary with India. Therefore, Tajikistan is the country that does not share a land boundary with India among the given options.

Question 2

Answer the following questions briefly.
  1. Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian sea.
Solution: The group of islands lying in the Arabian Sea is Lakshadweep. These islands are located off the southwestern coast of India.

Question 2

Answer the following questions briefly.
  1. Name the countries which are larger than India.
Solution: In terms of geographical area, the countries larger than India are Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America (USA), Brazil, and Australia. India ranks seventh in the world in terms of land area.

Question 2

Answer the following questions briefly.
  1. Which island group of India lies to its south-east?
Solution: The island group of India that lies to its south-east is the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands. These islands are located in the Bay of Bengal.

Question 2

Answer the following questions briefly.
  1. Which island countries are our southern neighbours?
Solution: The island countries that are our southern neighbours are Maldives and Sri Lanka. These island nations are located to the south of the Indian mainland in the Indian Ocean.

Question 3

The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat in the west but the watches show the same time. How does this happen?
Solution: This phenomenon occurs due to the vast longitudinal extent of India. Arunachal Pradesh is located in the easternmost part of India, while Gujarat is in the westernmost part. The longitudinal difference between them is approximately 30 degrees. Since the Earth rotates 15 degrees in one hour, this difference causes a time lag of about two hours between sunrise in Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat. However, to maintain a uniform time across the country for administrative and social convenience, India has adopted a Standard Meridian. The Indian Standard Time (IST) is based on the longitude 82° 32′ E, which passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. This standard time is observed throughout India, ensuring that all watches show the same time, irrespective of the local sunrise or sunset times in different parts of the country.

Question 4

The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?
Solution: India's central location at the head of the Indian Ocean is of immense strategic and historical significance for several reasons:
  • Strategic Advantage: Its position provides access to the vital Trans-Indian Ocean sea routes, which connect Europe in the west with East Asia. This allows India to play a crucial role in maritime trade and communication.
  • Connectivity: This location facilitates close cultural and commercial contacts with West Asia, Africa, and Europe via the western coast, and with Southeast and East Asia via the eastern coast.
  • Maritime Trade: India's extensive coastline and numerous natural harbours have historically supported and continue to support robust trade and commerce with neighbouring and distant countries.
  • Climate Influence: The unique location influences India's climate, contributing to its distinct monsoonal patterns and tropical conditions compared to other parts of Asia.
  • Global Recognition: No other country possesses such a long coastline on the Indian Ocean. This prominent position has led to the ocean being named after India, highlighting its geographical importance.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the easternmost and westernmost longitudes of India.
  • Incorrectly identifying countries that share a land boundary with India.
  • Misplacing island groups like Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar.
  • Not understanding the reason behind the uniform Indian Standard Time despite a large longitudinal spread.

Revision tips

  • Memorize the key latitudinal and longitudinal lines of India.
  • Draw a map of India and mark all neighboring countries and island groups.
  • Understand the concept of the Standard Meridian and its importance.
  • Focus on the strategic significance of India's location in the Indian Ocean.
  • Practice identifying states through which important parallels like the Tropic of Cancer pass.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following Indian states does NOT lie on the Tropic of Cancer?

Q2. What is the easternmost longitude of India?

Q3. Which country shares a common frontier with Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim?

Q4. Kavarati, the capital of Lakshadweep, is located in which sea?

Q5. Which of the following countries does NOT share a land boundary with India?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science, Chapter 1?

These solutions focus on India's size, its geographical location, its latitudinal and longitudinal extent, neighboring countries, island groups, and the strategic significance of its position in the Indian Ocean.

Why is India's central location in the Indian Ocean considered significant?

India's central location provides a strategic advantage for trade routes connecting Europe and East Asia. It facilitates close contact with West Asia, Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, and has contributed to India's distinct climate and maritime trade.

How does India maintain a uniform time across the country despite its vast longitudinal extent?

India follows the time of the Standard Meridian, which is 82° 32′ E longitude. This line passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, and its time is adopted as the Indian Standard Time (IST) for the entire country.

Which island group lies in the Arabian Sea and which lies in the Bay of Bengal?

The Lakshadweep group of islands lies in the Arabian Sea, while the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands lies to the southeast in the Bay of Bengal.

Which countries are larger than India in terms of area?

The countries larger than India are Russia, Canada, China, the USA, Brazil, and Australia.

How can these NCERT Solutions help in exam preparation?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to all textbook questions, helping students understand concepts thoroughly, revise key geographical facts, and practice answering questions accurately for their exams.

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