CBSE Class 9 Social Science: Physical Features of India NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This section provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science, focusing on Chapter 13, 'Physical Features of India'. It covers essential geographical concepts such as tectonic plates, the formation of landmasses, and the diverse physical divisions of India, including the Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, and Islands. The solutions explain the origins and characteristics of these features, helping students grasp the geological processes that shaped the Indian subcontinent. These solutions are designed to aid students in understanding the textbook material thoroughly and preparing effectively for their examinations by clarifying complex topics and providing structured answers to key questions.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 9
SubjectSocial Science
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 13

Chapter summary

Chapter 13 of the Class 9 Social Science textbook, 'Physical Features of India', explores the diverse geographical landscape of India. The NCERT Solutions provided here break down complex topics like tectonic plate movements, the formation of the Himalayas, the Northern Plains, the Peninsular Plateau, and the coastal regions. Students will find clear explanations and answers to questions distinguishing various landforms and geological terms, aiding in a solid understanding of India's physical geography.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concept of tectonic plates and their role in shaping the Earth's surface.
  • Identify and differentiate between major physical divisions of India: Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, and Islands.
  • Explain the formation and characteristics of different landforms.
  • Distinguish between converging and diverging tectonic plates.
  • Define terms like Peninsula, Bhabar, Khadar, and Bhangar.
  • Recognize the geographical locations of various mountain ranges and plateaus in India.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Tectonic Plates
  • Gondwana Land
  • Formation of Himalayas
  • Physical Divisions of India
  • The Himalayas (Himadri, Himachal, Shiwaliks)
  • The Northern Plains (Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar, Khadar)
  • The Peninsular Plateau
  • The Indian Desert
  • The Coastal Plains (Western and Eastern)
  • The Islands (Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep)
  • Converging and Diverging Plates
  • Geographical Features of India

Important topics

  • Tectonic Plate Theory and its impact on India's geography
  • The three main divisions of the Himalayas
  • Characteristics of the Northern Plains and their subdivisions
  • Distinction between Bhangar and Khadar
  • The Peninsular Plateau and its major features
  • Formation and types of coastal plains
  • Island groups of India

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
  1. A landmass bounded by sea on three sides is referred to as
  1. Coast
  2. Island
  3. Peninsula
  4. none of the above
Solution: The correct option is (c) Peninsula. A peninsula is a piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides but is connected to the mainland on one side. India, with the Arabian Sea to the west, the Bay of Bengal to the east, and the Indian Ocean to the south, is a prime example of a peninsula.

Question 1

  1. Mountain ranges in the eastern part of India forming its boundary with Myanmar are collectively called as
  1. Himachal
  2. Uttarakhand
  3. Purvachal
  4. none of the above
Solution: The correct option is (c) Purvachal. These mountain ranges, often referred to as the Eastern Hills, are part of the greater Himalayan system and form a natural boundary between India and Myanmar. They include ranges like the Patkai Bum, Naga Hills, Manipur Hills, and Mizo Hills.

Question 1

  1. The western coastal strip, south of Goa is referred to as
  1. Coromandel
  2. Konkan
  3. Kannad
  4. Northern Circar
Solution: The correct option is (c) Kannad. The western coastal plain is divided into several parts. The stretch north of Goa is called the Konkan coast, the stretch south of Goa is known as the Kannad Plain, and further south is the Malabar coast.

Question 1

  1. The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is
  1. Anai Mudi
  2. Kanchenjunga
  3. Mahendragiri
  4. Khasi
Solution: The correct option is (c) Mahendragiri. Mahendragiri is the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats, located in the state of Odisha. Anai Mudi is the highest peak in the Western Ghats, and Kanchenjunga is one of the highest peaks in the Himalayas.

Question 2

  1. What are tectonic plates?
Solution: Tectonic plates are enormous, irregularly shaped slabs of solid rock, composed of both the Earth's crust and the upper part of the mantle (lithosphere). These plates are constantly moving due to the convection currents in the Earth's mantle. Their movement and interaction are responsible for geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains and ocean basins.

Question 2

  1. Which continents of today were part of the Gondwana land?
Solution: The ancient supercontinent Gondwana land included the landmasses that now form the continents of South America, Africa (including Madagascar), Asia (specifically the Indian subcontinent, Arabia, and Malaya), Australia, and Antarctica. These continents were once joined together before continental drift separated them.

Question 2

  1. What is the bhabar?
Solution: The Bhabar is a narrow, porous, and pebble-strewn plain that lies at the foothills of the Shiwaliks, the southernmost range of the Himalayas. It extends from the Indus River in the west to the Teesta River in the east. Rivers descending from the mountains deposit their load of boulders and pebbles here, and much of the water seeps underground.

Question 2

  1. Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south.
Solution: The three major divisions of the Himalayas, arranged from north to south, are:
  1. The Great Himalayas or the Inner Himalayas (Himadri): This is the northernmost and highest range, containing the main peaks.
  2. The Middle Himalayas or the Himachal: Located south of the Himadri, this range consists of folded mountains and is known for its hill stations.
  3. The Outer Himalayas or the Shiwaliks: This is the southernmost range, composed of unconsolidated sediments and foothills.

Question 2

  1. Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan ranges?
Solution: The Malwa Plateau is the plateau that lies between the Aravali Range to the west and the Vindhya Range to the south. It is part of the larger Peninsular Plateau of India and is known for its distinctive black soil.

Question 2

  1. Name the island group of India having coral origin.
Solution: The Lakshadweep Islands are the island group of India that has a coral origin. These islands are formed from the accumulation of coral polyps over time.

Question 3

  1. Distinguish between converging and diverging tectonic plates
Solution: The distinction between converging and diverging tectonic plates is as follows:

Converging Tectonic Plates: When two tectonic plates move towards each other, they are called converging plates. This collision can result in one plate sliding beneath the other (subduction), leading to the formation of mountains, volcanoes, and deep ocean trenches, or they can crumple and fold, also forming mountain ranges.

Diverging Tectonic Plates: When two tectonic plates move away from each other, they are called diverging plates. This movement creates a gap, allowing magma from the mantle to rise and form new crust, often resulting in mid-ocean ridges or rift valleys on land. They do not collide or crumble while moving apart.

Question 3

  1. Distinguish between Bhangar and Khadar
Solution: The distinction between Bhangar and Khadar, which are types of alluvial soil found in the Northern Plains, is as follows:

Bhangar: This refers to the older alluvial deposits found in the Northern Plains. It lies above the floodplains of the rivers and is generally found at higher elevations. Bhangar soil contains calcareous formations known as 'kankars' and is less fertile compared to Khadar.

Khadar: This refers to the newer, younger alluvial deposits found in the floodplains of rivers. It is renewed almost every year by the floods, making it highly fertile and ideal for agriculture. Khadar soils are generally finer in texture than Bhangar.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing geographical terms like Peninsula, Island, and Coast.
  • Incorrectly identifying the highest peak in a specific mountain range.
  • Misunderstanding the difference between older and newer alluvial soils (Bhangar and Khadar).
  • Difficulty in recalling the names of the three major divisions of the Himalayas.
  • Confusing the names of coastal strips.

Revision tips

  • Create a map of India and label all the major physical features discussed in the chapter.
  • Use flashcards to memorize key geographical terms and their definitions.
  • Practice drawing diagrams to illustrate concepts like tectonic plate movement.
  • Focus on understanding the 'why' behind the formation of each physical feature, not just memorizing names.
  • Review the distinctions between similar geographical terms (e.g., Bhangar vs. Khadar).

Practice MCQs

Q1. What term describes a landmass surrounded by sea on three sides?

Q2. Which mountain ranges form India's eastern boundary with Myanmar?

Q3. The western coastal strip south of Goa is known by which name?

Q4. What is the highest peak located in the Eastern Ghats?

Q5. Which of the following were part of the ancient Gondwana land?

Q6. The Bhabar is characterized by which type of land surface?

Frequently asked questions

What are the main physical features of India covered in this chapter?

This chapter covers the major physical divisions of India, including the Himalayas, the Northern Plains, the Peninsular Plateau, the Indian Desert, the Coastal Plains, and the Islands.

What is the significance of tectonic plates in understanding India's physical features?

Tectonic plates are large fragments of the Earth's crust. Their movement and interaction are responsible for shaping major landforms like the Himalayas and the formation of the Indian subcontinent.

How do the NCERT Solutions for 'Physical Features of India' help students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to textbook questions, helping students understand complex geographical concepts, definitions, and distinctions, which aids in exam preparation.

What is the difference between Bhangar and Khadar?

Bhangar refers to the older alluvial soil found in the Northern Plains, lying above the floodplains, while Khadar represents the newer, younger alluvial deposits of the floodplains, renewed annually.

Which island group in India is of coral origin?

The Lakshadweep Islands are the island group in India that originated from corals.

What does 'Peninsula' mean in the context of Indian geography?

A peninsula is a landmass bounded by the sea on three sides. India, being surrounded by the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean, is a peninsula.

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