ICSE 2026 EXAMINATION

MODEL QUESTION PAPER

GEOGRAPHY
(H.C.G. PAPER – 2)
Maximum Marks: 80
Time allowed: Two hours

1. Answers to this Paper must be written on the answer sheet provided separately.
2. You will not be allowed to write during the rst 15 minutes.
3. This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.
4. The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.
5. Part I is compulsory. All questions from Part I are to be attempted.
6. A total of ve questions are to be attempted from Part II.
7. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
To be supplied with this Paper: Survey of India Map Sheet No. G43S10 and 20 cm of twine.

Note:
(i) In all Map Work, make wise use of arrows to avoid overcrowding of the map.
(ii) The extract of Survey of India Map Sheet No. G43S10 must not be taken out of the
examination hall. It must be handed over to the Supervising Examiner on completion of the
paper.
(iii) The Map given at the end of this question paper must be detached, and after marking, must
be
fastened to your answer booklet.
(iv) All sub-sections of the questions attempted must be answered in the correct serial order.
(v) All working including rough work should be done on the same answer sheet which is used to
answer the rest of the paper.
Instruction for the Supervising Examiner
Kindly read aloud the Instructions given above to all the candidates present in the Examination

Hall.
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 PART I (30 Marks)

(Attempt all questions from this Part.)

Question 1:
Study the extract of the Survey of India Map Sheet No. G43S07 and answer the following
questions:
(i) (a) Give the six- gure grid reference for the Post O ce (PO) located near the Pindwara
settlement.
(b) What is the main drainage pattern seen in grid square 1968? [2]
(ii) (a) Calculate the straight-line distance in kilometres between the temple at 203655 and
the settlement of Pindwara (221642).
(b) What is the main occupation of the people living in the region shown on the map? Give
one reason for your answer. [2]
(iii) (a) What does the blue line in the bed of the Sipu Nadi indicate?
(b) What is the compass direction of Dhavli (1962) from the main settlement of Pindwara
(2264)? [2]
(iv) (a) What does '20r' in grid square 1861 signify?
(b) Identify the settlement pattern in grid square 2264. [2]
(v) (a) What does the yellow wash in the map extract represent?
(b) What is the signi cance of the causeway at 215644? [2]

Question 2

On the outline map of India provided:

(i) Shade and label the Malabar Coast. [1]

(ii) Mark and label the Satpura Range. [1]

(iii) Mark with arrows and name the winds responsible for winter rainfall in Tamil Nadu. [1]

(iv) Shade and label a densely populated state in South India. [1]

(v) Mark and label the Standard Meridian of India. [1]

(vi) Mark and name the capital city of India. [1]

(vii) Shade and label an area of Laterite soil in Eastern India. [1]

(viii) Mark and name the port of Mumbai. [1]

(ix) Mark and label the river Godavari. [1]

(x) Shade and label the Thar Desert. [1]

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Question 3

Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options. [10]

(Do not copy the question, write the correct answers only.)

(i) The cold, dry winds from Siberia are blocked from entering India by:

(a) The Western Ghats

(b) The Aravallis

(c) The Himalayas

(d) The Purvanchal Hills

(ii) Gully erosion is a common feature in the:

(a) Malabar Coast

(b) Brahmaputra Valley

(c) Chambal Basin

(d) Sundarbans Delta

(iii) An important tree of the Tropical Deciduous forests, valued for its hard, durable timber,

is:

(a) Rosewood

(b) Sundari

(c) Teak

(d) Cactus

(iv) Which of the following is not a modern method of irrigation?

(a) Drip irrigation

(b) Sprinkler irrigation

(c) Canal irrigation

(d) Persian wheel

(v) Assertion (A): The Green Revolution helped India achieve self-su ciency in food

grains.

Reason (R): It involved the use of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers,

and assured irrigation.

(a) (A) is true but (R) is false.

(b) (A) is false but (R) is true.

(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(vi) The largest mineral oil eld in India, contributing a signi cant portion of the country's

production, is:

(a) Digboi

(b) Ankleshwar

(c) Mumbai High

(d) Kalol

(vii) The city often referred to as the 'Manchester of India' due to its ourishing cotton

textile industry is:

(a) Ahmedabad

(b) Coimbatore

(c) Kolkata

(d) Mumbai

(viii) The headquarters of the Southern Railway zone is located in:

(a) Bengaluru

(b) Chennai

(c) Hyderabad

(d) Kochi
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 (ix) The process of converting organic waste into nutrient-rich manure using earthworms

is known as:

(a) Composting

(b) Incineration

(c) Vermicomposting

(d) Land ll

(x) The process of 'Retting', which involves soaking the stalks in water to separate the

bre, is associated with:

(a) Cotton

(b) Jute

(c) Silk

(d) Sugarcane

PART II (50 Marks)

(Attempt any ve questions from this Part.)

Question 4

(i) Di erentiate between the 'Burst' of monsoon and the 'Break' in monsoon. [2]

(ii) Give two reasons why the North-East Monsoon (Retreating Monsoon) is generally dry

over most of India. [2]

(iii) Explain any three factors that in uence the climate of a place in India. [3]

(iv) Study the climatic data of Station Y given below and answer the questions that follow:

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |

|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|

| Temp (°C) | 24.5 | 25.0 | 26.5 | 27.5 | 29.0 | 28.5 | 27.0 | 27.0 | 27.5 | 27.0 | 26.0 | 25.0 |

| Rainfall (cm) | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 4.0 | 55.0 | 65.0 | 45.0 | 25.0 | 8.0 | 1.5 | 0.4 |

(a) Calculate the annual range of temperature for Station Y.

(b) What is the total annual rainfall?

(c) On which coast of India is this station most likely located? Give a clear reason. [3]

Question 5
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(i) Mention any two di erences between Alluvial soil and Black soil based on their

formation and characteristics. [2]

(ii) What is leaching? Name a soil type that is a result of this process. [2]

(iii) "Soil erosion is largely a man-made disaster." Justify this statement with three

examples of human activities that cause it. [3]

(iv) With reference to Red Soil:

(a) How is it formed?

(b) Why does it appear red?

(c) Name one crop that grows well in it. [3]

Question 6

(i) Give two reasons why Tropical Evergreen forests are di cult to exploit commercially. [2]

(ii) Explain one adaptation of leaves and one adaptation of roots of Tropical Desert

vegetation to the dry climate. [2]

(iii) Explain three reasons why forest conservation is essential for a country like India. [3]

(iv) With reference to Littoral (Mangrove) Forests:

(a) Name one area in India where they are prominently found.

(b) What are 'pneumatophores' (breathing roots)?

(c) Why is this vegetation vital for coastal communities? [3]

Question 7

(i) Give two reasons why irrigation is crucial for Indian agriculture, even though the country

receives monsoon rainfall. [2]

(ii) Explain two reasons why canal irrigation is more popular in the Northern Plains than in

the Southern Plateau. [2]

(iii) What is rainwater harvesting? Mention any two of its main objectives. [3]

(iv) Explain three advantages of using drip irrigation as a modern irrigation method. [3]
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 Question 8

(i) Di erentiate between conventional and non-conventional sources of energy, giving one

clear example of each. [2]

(ii) Why is coal often called a 'versatile' mineral? Give two of its major uses. [2]

(iii) With reference to Solar Energy:

(a) Why does India have a high potential for its development?

(b) Mention two advantages of solar energy over thermal power. [3]

(iv) (a) Name the largest oil re nery in India, which is also the largest in the world.

(b) Name one iron ore-producing state in Eastern India.

(c) Name one state in India that is a leading producer of Manganese. [3]

Question 9

(i) De ne 'Rabi' and 'Kharif' cropping seasons, giving one chief crop for each. [2]

(ii) Give two geographical reasons why pulses are an important part of India's cropping

pattern. [2]

(iii) With reference to Sugarcane cultivation:

(a) Name the leading producing state in India.

(b) Mention two climatic conditions required for its growth. [3]

(iv) Explain any three major problems faced by Indian farmers. [3]

Question 10

(i) What is an 'agro-based' industry? Give two examples of such industries. [2]

(ii) Give two reasons for the high concentration of the cotton textile industry in

Maharashtra and Gujarat. [2]

(iii) With reference to the Chota Nagpur Plateau:

(a) Why is it called the 'mineral heartland' of India?

(b) Name one major integrated iron and steel plant located in this region.

(c) State one major reason for its location there. [3]

(iv) (a) Why has the petrochemical industry gained signi cance in recent times?

(b) Give two examples of petrochemical products. [3]

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 Question 11

(i) Mention any two major problems faced by the Indian Railways. [2]

(ii) "Roadways are more advantageous than Railways for short-distance travel and

transport." Give two reasons to support this statement. [2]

(iii) What is the 'Golden Quadrilateral'? Mention any two ways it has contributed to the

Indian economy. [3]

(iv) (a) Why is air transport becoming increasingly popular in India?

(b) Why is inland water transport considered the cheapest mode of transport?

(c) Name the Inland Waterway that connects Prayagraj to Haldia. [3]

Question 12

(i) Di erentiate between 'biodegradable' and 'non-biodegradable' waste, giving one

example of each. [2]

(ii) What is 'composting'? Explain one reason why it is a bene cial method of waste

disposal. [2]

(iii) Explain the '3Rs' (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) as a key strategy for e ective waste

management. [3]

(iv) (a) What is meant by 'segregation' of waste?

(b) State one harmful impact of dumping untreated waste into water bodies.

(c) Why is a 'sanitary land ll' considered better than an open dump? [3]
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 ANSWER KEY

Note: Answers for Question 1 are based on the typical features of the Survey of India Map

Sheet No. G43S07. PART I

A1.

(i) (a) 224644

(b) Dendritic (tree-like) pattern.

(ii) (a) 2 km (The map distance is 4 cm. Scale is 2 cm = 1 km. So, 4 cm = 2 km).

(b) Occupation: Agriculture. Reason: The extensive 'yellow wash' on the map indicates

cultivated land.

(iii) (a) It indicates a perennial water channel within the otherwise dry river bed.

(b) South-West (SW).

(iv) (a) It signi es the relative height of the embankment (or sand dune) is 20 metres.

(b) Nucleated / Clustered settlement.

(v) (a) Yellow wash represents cultivated or agricultural land.

(b) It is a raised, metalled road that allows tra c to pass over a minor, seasonal stream.

A2. (Answers to be marked on the map of India)

(i) Malabar Coast: The southern part of the Western coast (Kerala coast).

(ii) Satpura Range: A range in central India, running parallel to the Vindhyas.

(iii) NE Monsoon Winds: Arrows shown blowing from the North-East over the Bay of

Bengal and into Tamil Nadu.

(iv) Densely populated state: Kerala or Tamil Nadu (shaded).

(v) Standard Meridian: A vertical line at 82°30'E.

(vi) New Delhi: Correctly marked with a dot.

(vii) Laterite soil: Shaded area in Odisha, West Bengal, or the Western Ghats.

(viii) Mumbai: Correctly marked on the west coast.

(ix) River Godavari: Correctly drawn and labeled.

(x) Thar Desert: Shaded area in Western Rajasthan.

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A3. (MCQs)

(i) (c) The Himalayas

(ii) (c) Chambal Basin

(iii) (c) Teak

(iv) (d) Persian wheel

(v) (c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(vi) (c) Mumbai High

(vii) (a) Ahmedabad

(viii) (b) Chennai

(ix) (c) Vermicomposting

(x) (b) Jute

PART II

A4. (Climate)

(i) Burst of Monsoon: The sudden onset of the monsoon, characterized by a rapid

increase in rainfall. Break in Monsoon: A period of dry, rainless days that occurs during

the monsoon season.

(ii) 1. They originate over the cold landmass of Central Asia and are dry. 2. When they

blow over mainland India, they do not have moisture.

(iii) 1. Latitude: Places closer to the equator are hotter. 2. Altitude: Higher altitudes are

cooler. 3. Distance from the Sea: Coastal areas have a moderate climate, while inland

areas have an extreme climate.

(iv) (a) Annual Range = 29.0°C - 24.5°C = 4.5°C.

(b) Total Rainfall = 201.0 cm.

(c) West Coast (e.g., Mumbai). Reason: The rainfall pattern shows a sudden, massive

increase in June-July-August, which is characteristic of the South-West Monsoon.

A5. (Soil)

(i) Alluvial Soil: Formed by silt deposition by rivers (transported); very fertile. Black Soil:

Formed from weathering of volcanic rocks (in-situ); high moisture retention.

(ii) Leaching: The process where heavy rainfall washes soluble minerals from the topsoil.

Soil Type: Laterite Soil.

(iii) 1. Deforestation: Removing tree cover exposes the soil. 2. Overgrazing: Animals eat

the grass cover, exposing topsoil. 3. Faulty Agricultural Practices: Ploughing up and down

a slope.

(iv) (a) Formed by the weathering of old crystalline and metamorphic rocks.

(b) It appears red due to the high content of iron oxide.

(c) Groundnut, millets (like ragi).

A6. (Natural Vegetation)

(i) 1. Dense Growth: Forests are very dense, making access di cult. 2. Mixed Species:

Valuable trees do not grow in pure stands.

(ii) Leaves: Reduced to spines/thorns to minimize transpiration. Roots: Very long taproots

to search for water.

(iii) 1. Prevents Soil Erosion & Floods. 2. Provides Raw Materials for industries. 3. Habitat

for biodiversity.

(iv) (a) The Sundarbans in West Bengal.

(b) Roots that grow vertically upwards from the mud to help the tree breathe.

(c) They act as a natural barrier against tsunamis and cyclones.

A7. (Water Resources)

(i) 1. Seasonal Rainfall: Most rain falls in 3-4 months, so irrigation is needed for Rabi

crops. 2. Uneven Distribution: Some areas (e.g., Rajasthan) receive very little rain.

(ii) 1. Terrain: The Northern Plains are at (easy to dig canals). The Southern Plateau is

rocky. 2. Rivers: The rivers in the North are perennial (snow-fed), providing a steady water

supply.
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(iii) Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater for future use. Objectives: 1. To

recharge groundwater. 2. To provide water during the dry season.

(iv) 1. Water Conservation: Delivers water directly to roots, minimizing evaporation. 2.

Increased Yield: E cient delivery of water and fertilizer. 3. Weed Control: Area between

plants remains dry.

A8. (Minerals & Energy)

(i) Conventional: Non-renewable sources used for a long time (e.g., Coal). Non-

conventional: Renewable sources (e.g., Solar energy).

(ii) Versatile: It has many uses. Uses: 1. Generating thermal electricity. 2. Smelting iron ore.

(iii) (a) India is a tropical country and receives bright sunlight for most of the year.

(b) 1. Solar is renewable and clean; thermal power is non-renewable and polluting. 2.

Solar has low running costs.

(iv) (a) Jamnagar Re nery (Gujarat)

(b) Odisha or Jharkhand

(c) Madhya Pradesh or Odisha

A9. (Agriculture)

(i) Rabi: Winter cropping season (Sown Oct-Nov, Harvested Mar-Apr). Example: Wheat.

Kharif: Monsoon cropping season (Sown Jun-Jul, Harvested Sep-Oct). Example: Rice.

(ii) 1. Nitrogen Fixation: They are leguminous and increase soil fertility. 2. Nutrition: Rich

source of protein.

(iii) (a) Uttar Pradesh.

(b) 1. Temperature: Hot and humid (21°C to 27°C). 2. Rainfall: Heavy (75 cm to 150 cm).

(iv) 1. Dependence on Monsoon: Vulnerable to droughts/ oods. 2. Small Land Holdings:

Prevents use of modern machinery. 3. Farmer Debt: High-interest loans for seeds/

fertilizers.
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A10. (Industries)

(i) Agro-based Industry: Uses agricultural products as raw material. Examples: Cotton

textile, Sugar.

(ii) 1. Raw Material: The region is a major cotton-growing area. 2. Climate: Humid climate

is ideal for spinning thread.

(iii) (a) It is rich in minerals like iron ore, coal, manganese, etc.

(b) Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) at Jamshedpur.

(c) Proximity to Raw Materials: Iron ore and coal are available nearby.

(iv) (a) Petrochemical products are often cheaper, more durable, and easier to

manufacture.

(b) Plastics, synthetic bres (polyester).

A11. (Transport)

(i) 1. Ticketless Travel: Causes revenue loss. 2. Aging Infrastructure: Many tracks and

bridges are old and need modernization.

(ii) 1. Door-to-Door Service: Can pick up/drop o at the exact location. 2. Feeder Service:

Connects people to railway stations, airports, etc.

(iii) What: A highway network connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.

Contribution: 1. Reduced Time/Distance between major cities. 2. Economic Boost by

enabling faster movement of goods.

(iv) (a) It is the fastest mode of transport.

(b) It requires minimal infrastructure (no roads/tracks) and has low friction.

(c) National Waterway 1 (NW-1).

A12. (Waste Management)

(i) Biodegradable: Waste that decomposes naturally (e.g., vegetable peels). Non-

biodegradable: Waste that does not decompose (e.g., plastic).

(ii) Composting: A biological process of decomposing organic waste into manure. Bene t:

Reduces land ll waste and creates a natural fertilizer.

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(iii) Reduce: Using less. Reuse: Using an item multiple times. Recycle: Processing waste

to create a new product.

(iv) (a) Sorting waste into di erent categories (like 'dry' and 'wet') at the source.

(b) It pollutes the water, kills aquatic life, and can cause water-borne diseases.

(c) It is scienti cally designed with a liner to prevent groundwater pollution (leachate).
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