
Mastering the Class 12 Geography Most Repeated Questions from the past five years is the most effective way to streamline your board exam preparation for the upcoming exam held on 26 February 2026. Navigating a 17-chapter syllabus can be overwhelming, but focusing on high-yield topics and critical themes ensures your revision is both targeted and efficient. By prioritizing these frequently asked questions, you can build a deep understanding of the core concepts that examiners consistently emphasise.
Below are the specific instructions for structuring answers based on mark allocation:
Short Answer Questions (3 Marks):
Adhere strictly to an 80-100 word limit.
Present answers in a point-wise format, not paragraphs. For a 3-mark question, provide four distinct points.
Precision is key; avoid vague descriptions.
Long Answer Questions (5 Marks):
Aim for a word count of 120-150 words.
Focus on detailed analysis. Break all question to address all components.
Provide a comprehensive and well-structured response.
Here are 15 frequently repeated short answer questions:
1.Differentiate between Growth and Development.
This question is from the Human Development chapter.
2.Explain the concept of Neo-determinism.
From Human Geography: Nature and Scope. Thematic Focus: Be prepared for questions on Determinism, Possibilism, Humanisation of Nature, and Naturalisation of Humans.
3. What are the three components of population change?
From the Population chapter. The three components are Birth Rate, Death Rate, and Migration.
4. Mention any three characteristics of Subsistence Agriculture.
From Primary Activities. Thematic Focus: Also study Commercial Agriculture, Intensive Subsistence Agriculture, and Slash-and-Burn (Shifting) Agriculture.
5.Explain three push factors of migration.
From the Population chapter. Thematic Focus: Be prepared for questions on pull factors or a comparison between push and pull factors.
6. Differentiate between Clustered and Dispersed settlements.
From Human Settlements. Thematic Focus: Other settlement types include Semi-Clustered (Hamleted) and Isolated settlements.
7. Define Human Development.
A foundational definition from the Human Development chapter.
8.What is the Digital Divide? Give one reason for it.
A repeatedly asked question in various forms.
9.Describe any three features of Extensive Commercial Grain Cultivation.
From Primary Activities. Also important to study Mediterranean agriculture.
10.Describe three Major objectives of the National Water Policy (2002).
Pedagogical Emphasis: It is mandatory to study all case studies from chapters like Planning, Water Resources, and Geographical Perspectives on Selected Issues.
11.Why is the Tertiary sector growing so fast in developing countries?
From the Tertiary and Quaternary Activities chapter.
12.Give any three traditional methods of rainwater harvesting in India.
From the Water Resources chapter. Examples include Tankas, Bamboo Drip Irrigation, and Khadins.
13. Describe the Golden Quadrilateral.
From the Transport chapter. Know the route (Delhi-Kolkata-Chennai-Mumbai) and the North-South and East-West Corridors.
14. What are the three stages of the Demographic Transition Theory.
This is a VERY, VERY IMPORTANT and frequently asked question.
Related Concept: Prepare for questions on the four stages of India's population change.
15. Discuss the impact of air pollution on human health.
From the final chapter of the second book. Crucial to review all case studies in this chapter.
Here are 15 frequently repeated long answer questions:
1.Examine the factors influencing the distribution of population in the world.
Cover Geographical, Economic, Cultural, and Political factors in detail.
2. Describe the main features of Plantation Agriculture.
From Primary Activities. Key points: introduction by Europeans, commercial profit motive, single crop specialization, and examples.
3. Explain the four pillars of Human Development.
This is a frequently asked question. The four pillars are Equity, Sustainability, Productivity, and Empowerment, all requiring detailed explanation.
4. Discuss the geographical factors required for the cultivation of wheat in India.
From Land Resources and Agriculture. Include climatic conditions (temperature), rainfall, soil type, and major producing areas.
5. What are Quaternary activities, and how do they differ from Tertiary activities?
A comparative question from the Tertiary and Quaternary Activities chapter.
6. Analyze the problems of Indian agriculture.
From Land Resources and Agriculture. Discuss lack of commercialization, fragmented land holdings, and dependence on monsoon (unirrigated land approx. 30-35%).
7. Discuss the significance of the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal.
From the Transport and Communication chapter (Book 1).
8. Discuss the environmental consequences of the Indira Gandhi Canal.
Pedagogical Emphasis: This is a VERY IMPORTANT topic. Other essential case studies: Integrated Tribal Development Project in Bharmaur Region, Meerut development, and watershed management in Maharashtra.
9. Describe the changing pattern of India's foreign trade since 1991.
From the International Trade chapter.
10. Explain the factors responsible for the location of the Iron and Steel industry in India.
From Manufacturing Industries, which is also important for map-based questions.
11. What is sustainable development? Suggest measures to promote it.
A key conceptual question from Geographical Perspectives on Selected Issues.
12. Discuss the impact of the Information Technology (IT) sector on the Indian economy.
Relates to the growth of the tertiary sector in India.
13. Classify towns in India on the basis of their functions.
From the Human Settlements chapter (Book 2).
14. Examine the composition of India's population by age and sex.
From Population: Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition (Book 2). Also consider linguistic and religious composition.
15. Discuss the role of roadways in the economic development of India.
A broad question from the Transport and Communication chapter (Book 2).
While knowing the "Most Repeated Questions" is half the battle, how you present your answers determines if you get a 3/3 or a 2/3. To bridge that gap, follow these topper-recommended strategies:
The Power of Rough Diagrams: For questions on population (Demographic Transition Theory) or types of agriculture, always include a small, neat sketch or graph. Even a simple flow chart showing the "Four Pillars of Human Development" can set your answer apart.
Case Study Integration: Whenever you answer questions on "Sustainable Development" or "Water Resources," explicitly mention a case study (e.g., the Ralegan Siddhi for watershed management or the Indira Gandhi Canal command area). It proves you have read the NCERT thoroughly.
Use Geographical Terminology: Instead of saying "people moving to cities," use terms like "Rural-Urban Migration" or "Urban Agglomeration." Precise vocabulary signals authority to the examiner.
The 'Map-Point' Rule: For long-form answers regarding industries or crops, mention 2–3 specific states or regions where they are prominent. This shows spatial awareness—the core of Geography.
The Class 12 Geography paper includes mandatory map work (5 marks for World Map and 5 marks for India Map). Based on the most repeated themes, ensure you can locate the following:
World Map (Fundamentals of Human Geography): Major sea ports (e.g., Rotterdam, Cape Town, Yokohama).
Inland waterways (Suez and Panama Canals).
Areas of Nomadic Herding and Commercial Dairy Farming.
India Map (People and Economy):
The state with the highest/lowest population density (Bihar/Arunachal Pradesh).
Leading producers of Rice, Wheat, Cotton, and Jute.
Major Iron Ore mines (Mayurbhanj, Bailadila) and Oil Refineries (Jamnagar, Digboi).
International Airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai).