
It is important for students to understand India’s Geographical Location and its significance is the foundation of Class 9 Geography. India Size and Location Class 9 Important Questions help students revise important facts like India’s position in the world, its latitudinal and longitudinal extent, and the importance of its central location in the Indian Ocean.
CBSE Class 9 Social Science Syllabus also explains how India’s size influences climate, trade, relations, and culture. By practising these Important Questions from India Size and Location Class 9, students can prepare effectively for map-based questions, short answers, and long descriptive questions.
Students must prepare the most important questions to score well in the exam. Below are the India Size and Location Class 9 Important Questions answers:
1. India’s total area accounts for what percentage of the geographical area of the world?
(A) 2.9% (B) 3.2%
(C) 2.4% (D) 4.2%
Ans. (C) 2.4%
2. Which meridian is fixed as a Standard Meridian of India?
(A) 821⁄2° E (B) 841⁄2° E
(C) 86° E (D) 81° E
Ans. (A) 821⁄2° E
3. The latitudinal extent of India lies between
(A) 7° 5′ N and 26° 5′ N
(B) 8° 4′ N and 37° 6′ N
(C) 12° 5′ N and 27° 5′ N
(D) 12° 5′ N and 37° 6′ N
Ans. (B) 8° 4′ N and 37° 6′ N
4. Tropic of Cancer passes through which of these states
(A) Orissa
(B) Tripura
(C) Bihar
(D) Punjab
Ans. (B) Tripura
5. The Standard Meridian of India, 82°30′E passes through which of the following places?
(A) Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu
(B) Walong in Arunachal Pradesh
(C) Kachchh in Gujarat
(D) Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh
Ans. (D) Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh
6. Which one of the following water bodies separate Sri Lanka from India?
(A) Palk Strait and Gulf of Khambhat
(B) Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar
(C) Gulf of Mannar and 10° Channel
(D) 10° Channel and Gulf of Khambhat
Ans. (B) Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar
7. What is India’s size with respect to other countries of the world?
(A) First (B) Third
(C) Fourth (D) Seventh
Ans. (D) Seventh
8. Indian Standard Time or I.S.T. is how many hours ahead or behind of G.M.T. or Universal Time?
(A) 5 hrs 30 min behind G.M.T.
(B) 15 hrs ahead of G.M.T.
(C) 5 hrs 30 min ahead of G.M.T.
(D) None of the above
Ans. (C) 5 hrs 30 min ahead of G.M.T.
9. The neighboring countries that share their boundaries with India are:
(A) Pakistan and Afghanistan
(B) Myanmar and Bangladesh
(C) China and Nepal
(D) All the above
Ans. (D) All the above
10. Which country among India's neighbours is the smallest?
(A) Nepal
(B) Bhutan
(C) Sri Lanka
(D) Bangladesh
Ans. (B) Bhutan
Section –B [2 Marks]
11. Why has India selected a Standard Meridian of India with an odd value of 82° 30′ E?
Sol. Because it is divisible by 7°30′, a standard adopted by almost all the countries of the world.
• It lies almost in the middle of India, and as such, it suits us the most.
12. In which year did Indira Point submerged under water due to the Tsunami?
Sol. The southernmost point called Indira Point (earlier called Pygmalion Point) got submerged in a Tsunami in 2004.
13. Name the two routes by which India is connected with Europe, North America and South America.
Sol. • The Cape of Good Hope,
• The Suez Canal.
14. Do you think naming the Indian Ocean after a country is justified. Why?
Sol. Yes, because no other country has a long coastline on the Indian Ocean as India has. It is because of India’s eminent position in the Indian Ocean which justifies the naming of an ocean after it.
15. Which mountain bounds India in the northwest?
Sol. India is bounded by the young fold mountains in the northwest, north and north east. South of about 22° north latitude, it begins to taper, and extends towards the Indian Ocean, dividing it into two seas, the Arabian Sea on the west and the Bay of Bengal on its east.
Section –C [3 Marks]
16. Mention the latitudinal extent of India. How does it influence the duration of the day and night at different places?
Sol. (a) The latitudinal extent of India is 8°4’N and 37°6’N.
(b) The day and night are near to the same duration at the equator. As Kanyakumari is quite near the equator at 8°4’N the day-night difference is hardly one hour there, and therefore, the difference in duration of day and night is hardly felt at Kanyakumari. On the other hand, as we move away from the equator to the poles the variations in duration of day and night become greater. Kashmir is over 30° away from the equator and so the difference in duration of day and night is more there and we feel that difference.
17. Describe briefly the geographic location of India in Asia. What is the significance of India’s geographic location?
Sol. The Indian landmass has a central location between the East and the West Asia. India is a southward extension of the Asian Continent. The trans-Indian Ocean routes which connect the countries of Europe in the west and the countries of East Asia provide a strategic central location to India. The Deccan Peninsula protrudes into the Indian Ocean, thus helping India to establish close contact with oil rich countries of West Asia as well as Africa and Europe from the western coast and the Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast via sea and ocean routes and air routes
18. How has mountain passes been helpful to India since historic times?
Sol. The various mountain passes across the Himalayan range and other mountains in the north have provided passages to travelers since ancient time. The land routes via mountain passes have contributed to the exchange of ideas and commodities since historic times. The ideas of Upanishads and the Ramayana, the stories of Panchtantra, the Indian numerals and the decimal system could thus reach many parts of the world. The spices, muslin and other merchandise were taken from India to different countries. On the other hand, the architectural styles of dome and minarets from West Asia and the influence of Greek sculpture, which can be seen in different parts of India, came from other countries to India.
19. What do you know about the neighbors of India?
Sol. India occupies an important strategic position in South Asia. India shares its land boundaries with Afghanistan and Pakistan in the northwest; China, Nepal and Bhutan in the north and Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east. The island states of Sri Lanka and Maldives are our southern neighbors across the sea. Sri Lanka is separated from India by a narrow channel of sea formed by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Manner, while Maldives Islands are situated to the South of the Lakshadweep Islands. Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India form the most natural geographical unit, often referred to as the Indian subcontinent.
20. Which ocean is named after India? Give two reasons as to why it was named after India.
Sol. The Indian Ocean is named after India. India is the only country which has the credit of an ocean named after it. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, extensions of the Indian Ocean, lie to the west and east of the Indian Peninsula, and the Indian Ocean lies to its south. No other country has a long coastline on the Indian Ocean as India. The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean has provided India a strategic location of great significance along the trans-Indian Ocean route. It is India’s eminent position in the Indian Ocean which justifies the naming of the ocean after India.
Section –D [5 Marks]
21. Give a reason for the following statement: (a) 82° 30 E Latitude has been selected as the Standard Meridian of India. (b) The distance between India and Europe has been reduced by 7000 km. with the opening of the Suez Canal. (c) Days and nights are almost of equal duration at Kanyakumari.
Sol. (a) There is a time lag of at least 2 hours if one moves from west to east – from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh. The local time at Arunachal Pradesh would be at least 2 hours ahead of Gujarat. To avoid such differences in local time, Indian Standard Time (IST) has been fixed at 82°30′ E to give the whole country a uniform time.
(b) Before the opening up of Suez Canal in 1869, ships from Europe had to make detour journeys via (Cape of Good Hope) African coast after traversing a distance of about 15000 km.
(c) Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu is located at the southernmost tip of India’s mainland. The latitude 8°4′ N passes close to it. The place is thus near the equator and lies close to the equatorial region. As the sun shines directly over the equator throughout the year, the durations of day and night are almost equal here. Hence, in Kanyakumari the difference in the duration of day and night is very little, maximum around 45 minutes only.
22. India has a long coastline which is advantageous”. Explain.
Sol. • India has the longest coastline on the Indian Ocean. This long coastline (7,517 km) has given a tremendous boost to India’s maritime trade. Almost 90% of India’s international trade is carried on through sea.
• India has this long coastline mainly due to the Deccan peninsula extending into the Indian Ocean and dividing it into two water bodies, viz., the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
• India’s central location at the head of the Indian Ocean and its long coastline has much helped in its interaction through the sea. The sea routes passing through the ocean provide easy connectivity to India with the West and the East.
• India has developed many major ports on its western and the eastern coasts. Some of them, such as Mumbai, Kochi, Visakhapatnam etc., have become centers of India’s flourishing shipping industry.
This long coastline on the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal has helped India to establish close maritime contacts in the following ways: With West Asia, Africa and Europe from the western coast. With East Asia and South-east Asia from the eastern coast.
23. How did India’s contact with the rest of the world contribute to the exchange of ideas and commodities? Explain.
Sol. • India held an important position in the ancient world. It had trade relations with many countries. One of the famous land routes was connected to the famous silk route of China.
• These routes have contributed to the exchange of ideas and commodities since ancient times.
• The ideas of the Upanishads and the Ramayana, the stories of Panchatantra, the Indian numerals and the decimal system thus could reach many parts of the world. The spices, muslin and other merchandise were taken from India to different countries. On the other hand, the influence of Greek sculpture, and the architectural styles of domes and minarets from West Asia can be seen in different parts of our country.
• India had trade relations with South-East Asian countries like Cambodia, Java, Sumatra, Bali, Sri Lanka, Burma and Siam.
• From the time of Kanishka, Indian traders started going to China, Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.
• During the Medieval period, India came in close contact with many foreign lands such as the Arabs, the Turks, the Mongols, the Chinese and the Europeans.
24. Describe the geographical importance of India.
Sol. (i) India is located more or less at the centre of four continents–Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia. The Indian Ocean connects India with other parts of the world through sea routes.
(ii) India’s long coastline on the Indian Ocean is of great importance. Such a situation of India has contributed much towards the control over the Indian Ocean.
(iii) India enjoys a vast scope of oceanic trade and commerce with other countries. Being bounded by the Indian Ocean in the south, the country is able to use ocean routes due to this opening in the seas.
(iv) The presence of the lofty Himalayas in the north checks the inward flow of the south- west monsoon to make rain. It is due to the Himalayas that we do not feel the severity of the winter.
(v) The location of the Himalayas, the Indian desert and the Indian Ocean offer India the opportunity to build a strong Indian Military and Navy.
Section E [4 Marks]
25. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows: The Western and Eastern Ghats, running parallel to the western and eastern coasts respectively, are not only a source of breathtaking natural beauty but also serve as a watershed for several rivers, contributing to India's rich biodiversity. These mountain ranges also play a crucial role in shaping the climate of the regions they traverse, with the Western Ghats receiving heavy rainfall due to the southwest monsoon, while the Eastern Ghats experience a more subdued climate. India's location at the crossroads of different civilizations has influenced its cultural and economic ties with neighboring countries and distant lands. The Himalayas, besides acting as a geographical barrier, have also facilitated cultural exchange with countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. Similarly, the Indian Ocean has been a conduit for trade and cultural diffusion, connecting India with Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East since ancient times.
(i) How do the Western and Eastern Ghats contribute to India's biodiversity and climate?
Sol. The Western and Eastern Ghats serve as vital watersheds and climate influencers, enriching India's biodiversity while shaping regional climates.
(ii) What role do the Himalayas play in India's cultural interactions and geographical landscape?
Sol. Beyond acting as a geographical barrier, the Himalayas foster cultural exchange with neighboring nations like Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, shaping India's cultural tapestry.
(iii) How has India's strategic location influenced its economic and cultural ties with neighboring countries and distant lands?
Sol. Positioned at the crossroads of civilizations, India's location has fostered economic and cultural connections with neighboring nations and distant lands, enriching its heritage and trade networks.
(iv) How does the Southwest monsoon impact the Western Ghats compared to the climate of the Eastern Ghats?
Sol. The Southwest monsoon brings heavy rainfall to the Western Ghats, while the Eastern Ghats experience a more subdued climate, showcasing the diverse climatic influences across India's mountain ranges.
Section F [5 Marks]
26. On an outline map of India, show the following:
• Tropic of Cancer
• Standard Meridian
• Southernmost point of India.
• Northernmost point of India.
• Easternmost point of India.
Preparing the India Size and Location Class 9 Important Questions provides benefits to students to get a good score:
Important Questions for India Size and Location Class 9 focus on the core topics such as India’s size, location, time zone, and geographical significance. This helps students understand the chapter thoroughly.
Students learn how to answer CBSE-style questions clearly and accurately, following proper NCERT patterns.
Many questions require students to identify latitudes, longitudes, and neighbouring countries. These skills are essential for scoring full marks in map work.
CBSE Important Questions for Class 9 Social Science Geography Chapter 1 allow targeted revision. This ensures that no major concept is missed during exam preparation.
These questions are closely related to frequently asked and expected board-style questions.