NCERT Class 12 Geography India -People And Economy: Chapter 7 — Transport and Communication
Chapter 7 of NCERT's Class 12 Geography textbook, 'India - People and Economy,' focuses on 'Transport and Communication.' It explains how essential items, from daily necessities like toothpaste and milk to ideas and messages, are moved from production sites to consumers. The chapter details the evolution of transportation in India, highlighting the importance of roads and railways. It classifies roads into National Highways, State Highways, Major District Roads, and Rural Roads, noting India's extensive road network. The text emphasizes the role of National Highways in inter-state transport and strategic movement, mentioning historical routes like the Grand Trunk Road and the functions of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The chapter also touches upon the significance of communication in exchanging views and messages, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of India's connectivity.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Geography |
| Book | India -People And Economy |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 — Transport and Communication |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 737 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the necessity of transport and communication for moving goods, people, and ideas.
- Identify the different types of roads in India and their classification.
- Recognize the importance and role of National Highways in India's transport network.
- Appreciate the historical development of road transport in India.
- Understand the functions of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Consumption | The act of using goods and services. |
| Metalled roads | Roads surfaced with asphalt or concrete. |
| Ropeways | A system of aerial transport using cables and carriers. |
| Pipelines | Conduits used for transporting liquids or gases over long distances. |
| National Highways (NH) | Major roads constructed and maintained by the Central Government. |
| State Highways (SH) | Roads constructed and maintained by the State Government. |
| Freight traffic | The movement of goods and merchandise. |
| Inter-state transport | Transportation between different states. |
| Autonomous body | An organization that operates independently within a government framework. |
| Apex body | The highest or supreme body in an organization. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What is the main purpose of transportation? Answer: To move goods, commodities, and ideas from the place of availability to the place of use.
- Name the four classifications of roads in India for construction and maintenance. Answer: National Highways (NH), State Highways (SH), Major District Roads, and Rural Roads.
- Which type of roads are constructed and maintained by the Central Government? Answer: National Highways (NH).
- What is the approximate percentage of passenger and freight traffic carried by roads in India? Answer: About 85 per cent of passenger and 70 per cent of freight traffic.
- What is the role of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)? Answer: The NHAI is responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of National Highways and improving their quality.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a daily use item in the chapter introduction?
Explanation: The chapter lists toothpaste, bed tea, milk, clothes, soaps, and food items as daily use items. Mobile phones are not explicitly mentioned in this context.
Q2. According to the text, what percentage of passenger traffic is carried by roads in India?
Explanation: The chapter states that about 85 per cent of passenger traffic is carried by roads every year.
Q3. The Grand Trunk (GT) road was originally built by:
Explanation: Sher Shah Suri built the Shahi (Royal) road, which was later renamed the Grand Trunk road during the British period.
Q4. Which organization is responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of National Highways in India?
Explanation: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is an autonomous body entrusted with the responsibility of development, maintenance, and operation of National Highways.
Q5. National Highways constitute what percentage of the total road length but carry what percentage of road traffic?
Explanation: The text mentions that National Highways constitute only about 2 per cent of the total road length but carry 40 per cent of the road traffic.
Frequently asked questions
What is the primary function of transport and communication as described in the chapter?
Transport and communication are essential for moving goods, commodities, ideas, views, and messages from their place of availability or production to the place of their use or consumption.
How are roads classified in India for construction and maintenance purposes?
Roads in India are classified as National Highways (NH), State Highways (SH), Major District Roads, and Rural Roads.
What is the significance of National Highways in India?
National Highways are crucial for inter-state transport and the movement of defence personnel and materials in strategic areas. They also connect state capitals, major cities, and important ports.
Who is responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways in India?
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Surface Transport, is responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of National Highways.
What historical road is mentioned as a precursor to modern National Highways?
The Shahi (Royal) road built by Sher Shah Suri, later renamed the Grand Trunk (GT) road during the British period, is mentioned as a significant historical road.
What is the approximate total length of India's road network?
India has one of the second largest road networks in the world with a total length of about 62.16 lakh km.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 12 Geography — India -People And Economy — Chapter 7 — Transport and Communication. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.