India Size and Location — Class 9 Social Science NCERT Solutions (Free)
Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 9 Social Science chapter "India Size and Location" — 6 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE board exam preparation.
TL;DR: Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 9 Social Science chapter "India Size and Location" — 6 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE…
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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science — India Size and Location. Step-by-step answers to all 6 textbook questions from this chapter, written for CBSE board preparation and free to use.
India Size and Location — All 6 Questions Solved
Q1. What is India's location and what are its geographical coordinates?
India is located in South Asia, between 8°4' and 35°6' North latitude and 68°7' and 97°25' East longitude. It lies on the Indian subcontinent between the Arabian Sea to the west, the Bay of Bengal to the east, and the Indian Ocean to the south. To the north are the Himalayas. This location gives India a strategic position in Asia and significant geopolitical importance.
Q2. What is the total area of India and how does it compare to other countries?
India covers approximately 3.28 million square kilometers, making it the seventh-largest country by area. It is the largest country in South Asia and second-largest in Asia. India comprises 28 states and 8 union territories. Despite its vast area, India supports the second-largest population (over 1.3 billion), making it extremely densely populated.
Q3. What are India's land boundaries and maritime extent?
India shares land boundaries with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. The land boundary is approximately 15,200 kilometers. The coastline extends about 7,600 kilometers including mainland and islands. The Exclusive Economic Zone extends 200 kilometers into the sea. This extensive boundary required management of diverse political relationships.
Q4. How has India's location influenced its history and culture?
India's location enabled: (1) Extensive trade through ancient Silk Road and maritime routes, (2) Cultural exchange with Central Asia, Persia, and Southeast Asia, (3) Spread of Buddhism and Hinduism to neighboring regions, (4) Invasions and migrations shaping Indian culture, (5) Access to monsoon winds enabling maritime trade. Location made India a crossroads of civilizations and cultures.
Q5. What is the time zone system in India and its significance?
India is located in a single time zone: Indian Standard Time (IST), UTC+5:30, despite spanning about 30° longitude. This unified time system, despite the country's vast east-west extent, represents a deliberate policy choice for national unity. The western parts receive sunrise earlier, while eastern parts receive it later, but all follow the same clock time.
Q6. What advantages and disadvantages does India's location present?
Advantages include: strategic maritime position, access to Indian Ocean trade, favorable monsoon patterns for agriculture. Disadvantages include: complex land borders requiring security management, exposure to tropical cyclones in coastal areas, heterogeneous geography requiring diverse administrative approaches. Location presents both opportunities for trade and prosperity and challenges of security and environmental hazards.
India Size and Location — Practice MCQs with Answers
Attempt these 20 multiple-choice questions after working through the solutions above. Each carries the correct option and the reasoning behind it, so a wrong answer tells you which idea to revisit.
MCQ 1. What is the total geographical area of India?
- A. 2.28 million sq km
- B. 3.28 million sq km
- C. 4.28 million sq km
- D. 5.28 million sq km
Answer: B. 3.28 million sq km — India's total geographical area is approximately 3.28 million square kilometers, making it the seventh-largest country in the world.
MCQ 2. Which latitude divides India into almost two equal halves?
- A. Equator
- B. Tropic of Capricorn
- C. Tropic of Cancer
- D. Arctic Circle
Answer: C. Tropic of Cancer — The Tropic of Cancer (23°30' N) passes almost midway through the country, dividing it into two halves and significantly influencing its climate.
MCQ 3. What is the latitudinal extent of India's mainland?
- A. 8°4' N to 37°6' N
- B. 8°4' S to 37°6' S
- C. 68°7' E to 97°25' E
- D. 68°7' W to 97°25' W
Answer: A. 8°4' N to 37°6' N — India's mainland extends from 8°4' North latitude to 37°6' North latitude, indicating its position entirely within the Northern Hemisphere.
MCQ 4. How much time difference is there approximately between the westernmost and easternmost parts of India?
- A. 1 hour
- B. 2 hours
- C. 3 hours
- D. 30 minutes
Answer: B. 2 hours — The longitudinal extent of India is about 30 degrees (97°25' E - 68°7' E), and since 1 degree longitude equals 4 minutes, this results in approximately a 2-hour time difference.
MCQ 5. Which among the following states does the Tropic of Cancer NOT pass through?
- A. Rajasthan
- B. Chhattisgarh
- C. Odisha
- D. Tripura
Answer: C. Odisha — The Tropic of Cancer passes through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram. Odisha is not among these states.
MCQ 6. India is the _______ largest country in the world by land area.
- A. 5th
- B. 6th
- C. 7th
- D. 8th
Answer: C. 7th — With a total area of 3.28 million square kilometers, India ranks as the seventh-largest country in the world in terms of land area.
MCQ 7. What is the total length of India's coastline including the Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands?
- A. 6,100 km
- B. 7,516.6 km
- C. 15,200 km
- D. 2,933 km
Answer: B. 7,516.6 km — The total length of the coastline of the mainland, Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep is 7,516.6 km. The mainland coastline alone is 6,100 km.
MCQ 8. Which sea lies to the west of India?
- A. Bay of Bengal
- B. Arabian Sea
- C. Indian Ocean
- D. Red Sea
Answer: B. Arabian Sea — The Arabian Sea is located to the west of the Indian subcontinent, while the Bay of Bengal is to the east.
MCQ 9. Which imaginary line is chosen as the Standard Meridian of India?
- A. 82°30' W
- B. 82°30' E
- C. 97°25' E
- D. 68°7' E
Answer: B. 82°30' E — The 82°30' E longitude passing through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh is selected as the Standard Meridian of India to ensure a uniform time throughout the country.
MCQ 10. Approximately what percentage of the world's total geographical area does India account for?
- A. 1.2%
- B. 2.4%
- C. 3.6%
- D. 4.8%
Answer: B. 2.4% — India's total area of 3.28 million square kilometers accounts for about 2.4 percent of the total geographical area of the world.
MCQ 11. The southernmost point of the Indian Union that got submerged during the 2004 Tsunami is:
- A. Kanyakumari
- B. Indira Point
- C. Port Blair
- D. Lakshadweep
Answer: B. Indira Point — Indira Point, located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was the southernmost point of the Indian Union and was submerged in the 2004 tsunami. Kanyakumari is the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland.
MCQ 12. Which two major island groups are part of India?
- A. Maldives and Sri Lanka
- B. Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep
- C. Mauritius and Reunion
- D. Fiji and Samoa
Answer: B. Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep — The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, and the Lakshadweep Islands are in the Arabian Sea, both forming integral parts of India.
MCQ 13. In which direction does the North-South extent of India predominantly lie?
- A. From Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh
- B. From Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari
- C. From Indira Point to Kashmir
- D. From Kanyakumari to Indira Col
Answer: B. From Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari — The North-South extent of India refers to the distance from its northernmost point (Kashmir) to its southernmost point on the mainland (Kanyakumari).
MCQ 14. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 reduced India's distance from Europe by how many kilometers?
- A. 5,000 km
- B. 6,000 km
- C. 7,000 km
- D. 8,000 km
Answer: C. 7,000 km — The Suez Canal significantly reduced the distance between India and Europe by about 7,000 km, boosting trade and connectivity.
MCQ 15. What is the approximate East-West extent of India?
- A. 2,933 km
- B. 3,214 km
- C. 15,200 km
- D. 7,516.6 km
Answer: A. 2,933 km — The East-West extent from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh is approximately 2,933 km, which is slightly less than its North-South extent.
MCQ 16. India shares its land boundaries with which country in the west?
- A. China
- B. Myanmar
- C. Pakistan
- D. Bangladesh
Answer: C. Pakistan — Pakistan is India's neighbour to the west, sharing a significant land boundary.
MCQ 17. Which two water bodies separate Sri Lanka from India?
- A. Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Khambhat
- B. Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar
- C. Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal
- D. Arabian Sea and Laccadive Sea
Answer: B. Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar — Sri Lanka is separated from India by a narrow channel of sea formed by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar.
MCQ 18. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of India's strategic location?
- A. Central location between East and West Asia
- B. Trans-Indian Ocean routes connecting Europe to East Asia
- C. Deccan Peninsula protruding into the Indian Ocean
- D. Being located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere
Answer: D. Being located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere — India is entirely located in the Northern Hemisphere, not the Southern Hemisphere. Its central location and protruding peninsula are key aspects of its strategic position.
MCQ 19. Through which of the following states is the Standard Meridian of India NOT calculated to pass?
- A. Uttar Pradesh
- B. Madhya Pradesh
- C. Odisha
- D. Bihar
Answer: D. Bihar — The Standard Meridian of India (82°30' E) passes through Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. Bihar is not on this meridian.
MCQ 20. The Himalayas are located to which direction of India?
- A. North
- B. South
- C. East
- D. West
Answer: A. North — The Himalayas, the world's highest mountain ranges, are situated along the northern border of India, providing a natural barrier.
How to Use These Solutions
Attempt each question yourself first and only then compare with the worked answer. Marks in the CBSE board exam are awarded for the METHOD as much as the final result, so reproduce the steps rather than memorising the last line. Where a solution states a law, a formula or a definition, learn that wording — examiners look for it.
Related practice for this chapter: chapter MCQs, previous-year questions, revision notes and sample papers.