NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Contemporary India Chapter 1 - India - Size and Location


NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Geography Chapter 1 offered by us are compiled as per the syllabus put forth by CBSE. Keeping this in mind, our subject experts have provided step by step explanations and shortcut techniques to all questions from Class 9 Geography Chapter 1. Aside from our study materials for Class 9 Social Science Geography Chapter 1, you can also access solutions for all subjects of 9thstandard. Download NCERT Solutions PDF to start your preparation. Subjects like Science, Maths, English,Hindi and Social Science will become easy to study if you have access to NCERT Solution for Class 9 Science , Maths solutions and solutions of other subjects. You can also download NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Maths to help you to revise complete syllabus and score more marks in your examinations.


Access NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science (History) Chapter- 1 (INDIA – Size and Location)

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

i. The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through

(a) Rajasthan

(b) Orissa

(c) Chhattisgarh

(d) Tripura

Ans: (c) Orissa


ii. The easternmost longitude of India is

(a) 97° 25′ E 

(b) 68° 7′ E 

(c) 77° 6′ E 

(d) 82° 32′ E

Ans: (a) 97°25′


iii. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim have common frontiers with

(a) China

(b) Bhutan

(c) Nepal

(d) Myanmar

Ans: (c) Nepal


iv. If you intend to visit Kavaratti during your summer vacations, which one of the following Union Territories of India you will be going to:

(a) Puducherry

(b) Lakshadweep

(c) Andaman and Nicobar

(d) Diu and Daman

Ans: (c) Lakshadweep


v. My friend hails from a country which does not share land boundary with India. Identify the country.

(a) Bhutan

(b) Tajikistan

(c) Bangladesh

(d) Nepal

Ans: (b) Tajikistan


2. Answer the following questions briefly.

i. Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian sea.

Ans: Lakshadweep

ii. Name the countries which are larger than India.

Ans: Russia, Canada, China, USA, Brazil and Australia

iii. Which island group of India lies to its south-east?

Ans:  Andaman and Nicobar Islands

iv. Which island countries are our southern neighbours?

Ans: Maldives and Sri Lanka


3. The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat in the west but the watches show the same time. How does this happen?

Ans: Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat are about 30 degrees apart from each other. Since 15 degrees of longitudinal extent is equal to roughly 1 hour of time, hence the difference between sunrise and sunset is 2 hours. But they show the same time as India used 82.5 degrees longitude as its standard meridian for time.


4. The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?

Ans: The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance due to the following reasons:

India has access to African and Southeast Asian nations due to its central location.

Due to this India has good trade relations with Southeast Asian nations, Gulf nations and even with the African nations.

The monsoons in India are also due to the presence of the Indian Ocean.


5. Identify the following with the help of map reading.

i. The Island groups of India lying in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

Ans: Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands

ii. The countries constituting Indian Subcontinent.

Ans: Countries in the Indian Subcontinent are India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Pakistan.

iii. The states through which the Tropic of Cancer passes.

Ans: The Tropic of Cancer passes through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.

iv. The northernmost latitude in degrees.

Ans: 37°6′ N

v. The southernmost latitude of the Indian mainland in degrees.

Ans: 8°4′ N

vi. The eastern and the western most longitude in degrees.

Ans:  Western longitude is 68°7′ E and the Eastern longitude is 97°25′ E

vii. The place situated on the three seas.

Ans: Kanyakumari

viii. The strait separating Sri Lanka from India.

Ans: Palk Strait

ix. The Union Territories of India.

Ans: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Delhi, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir.


NCERT Geography Book Class 9 Chapter 1: India – Size and Location – A Brief Overview

In this chapter from Class 9 Geography Chapter 1, students will learn in detail regarding India’s location and its size. The subtopics covered under this chapter are – 

  • India’s location

  • India’s size

  • India and the world

  • India’s neighbours

Apart from discussing the topics mentioned above, this chapter will also motivate students to read maps and answer questions with the help of a map.

Geography is a crucial subject, not only from an exam point of view but also for practical application. Hence, a clear comprehension of this chapter is essential. Keeping the above points in mind, our expert Geography teachers have curated the solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 1.  They have provided an in-depth analysis of each question in a lucid language to enable a better understanding of this chapter. Our study guides also come with shortcut techniques to help you improve your chances of scoring better marks. 

Our study guides, in accordance with the latest NCERT guidelines, maintain its accuracy and a high standard. Hence, our NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 are one of the best among the many available on the internet. You can also access our solutions as PDF free downloads to study from anywhere.


NCERT Solutions for Class 9 SST Geography Chapter 1 – All Questions

Go through our solved questionnaires from Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 for efficient exam preparation.

  • Class 9th Geography Chapter 1 – Question 1

Question 1 from Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 consists of five multiple-choice questions. The questions are based on the following topics –

i. Tropic of Cancer – Answering questions based on the Tropic of Cancer requires an in-depth understanding of the same. While reading through the first chapter of their NCERT Geography book, students will learn that the Tropic of Cancer divides India into two equal parts. 

You can refer to our solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 to know which states the Tropic of Cancer does not pass through. 

ii. Longitudes – To answer correctly, you should understand the exact location of India. Students will know after reading this chapter that the Indian mainland extends between latitudes 8°4’N and 37°6’N and longitudes 68°7’E and 97°25’E. 

Knowing the latitudes and longitudes are essential as you might be asked to point the exact locations on a map during their examination.

iii. Neighbouring countries of India – If you read into the given chapter, you will learn that India occupies a very strategic position in South Asia. The country shares its boundaries with several countries such as China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan etc.

Students will learn how over the years, the land routes through these neighbouring countries have contributed to the exchange of ideas and commodities since ancient times.

iv. Union Territories of India – To answer this question, you first need to know what Union Territories of India are. Union Territories of India are different from the states because they are directly governed by the Central Government of India. You should also be aware that India has seven Union Territories. It is essential to know the name of all the Union Territories as it might come as a map pointing question in their examinations.

v. Borders of India - Knowing which country India shares her borders with is significant from an exam point of view. Additionally, considering that the readers are in their formative years, an accurate idea of the country is ideally imperative. Since India lies across a vast area of 3.28 million square km, it shares its borders with several countries. 

Refer to our solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 1, which lists out the names of countries India shares its borders with. You can go through our solutions after solving this question to cross-check your answers.

You will be able to learn in detail about the topics as mentioned above in detail if you avail our solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 1. Our experienced Geography teachers have compiled the solutions providing a detailed explanation for each answer. 

Our NCERT Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 will assist you to frame answers for multiple-choice questions that will increase your chances of scoring good marks.

  • Class 9 Social Science Geography Chapter 1 – Question 2

The second question from Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 comprises of four parts which cover the following topics-

i. India’s group of islands – Under this topic from Geography Chapter 1 Class 9, students will learn in detail about India’s group of islands – Andaman and Nicobar island and Lakshadweep islands. You will further come to know that the Andaman and Nicobar islands lie in the bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep islands are situated in the Arabian sea. 

ii. The countries which cover more surface area than India – In this section students will be able to memorise the names of those countries which cover a larger surface area than India. You can go through our to gain an idea about these countries such as Russia, Canada, USA etc.

iii. The island countries that are India’s southern neighbours – This section from Social Science Std 9 Chapter 1 will test a student’s knowledge of the island countries that lie south of India. 

Students should first read this chapter thoroughly to have a clear grasp of the topic that is being discussed. After reading through the chapter, they should attempt this section on their own. Post-completion, refer to our solutions to cross-check your answers. 

We aim to make our solutions as accurate as possible and maintain high quality. This makes our guides one of the best and most preferred among all the study guides that are available for online learning. These solutions will be hugely beneficial to students of Class 9. These solutions will guide you to properly structure an answer to a brief question according to NCERT guidelines.

You should avail these solutions before you begin your exam preparation as they contain an in-depth analysis of each topic. it will help you to develop a well-rounded comprehension of each chapter of Class 9 Geography Chapter 1. 

For more convenient exam preparation, you can also access these solutions as PDF free downloads and study from anywhere you want.

  • Class 9 SST Geography Chapter 1 – Question 3

This question from Class 9 Geography Chapter 1  is a situation based question. Students have been presented with a situation for which they will have to provide a suitable explanation. In the question, students are told that though the sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat in the west, the watches show the same time. Based on their understanding of the given text, students will have to write a suitable explanation as an answer.

Before answering this question, students will have to understand the concept behind Indian standard time. The standard meridian of India (82°30’E) which passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh is taken as the standard time for the whole country. Students will also know if they go through their Class 9 Geography Chapter 1, that 82°30’E is taken as the standard meridian of India because it lies 82.5 degrees east of the Greenwich meridian.

While going through our NCERT Solution For Class 9 Geography Chapter 1, students will also be able to have a clear understanding as to how the longitudinal gap between two states influences the day and night as one moves from south to north. 

They will learn through the solutions, compiled by our expert faculty, that since Arunachal Pradesh is in the east, sunrise happens two hours earlier as compared to that of Gujarat.

Our NCERT Solutions Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 are also available in PDF format. You can download them for free on our website. The solution in its PDF format brings in the convenience of studying anywhere and at any time.

  • Chapter 1 Geography Class 9 – Question 4

The fourth question from Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 is a crucial question which will test your understanding of this chapter. You will state reasons as to why India’s location at the top of the Indian ocean is considered significant. 

To answer this question, you will have to go through the chapter carefully or refer to our Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 Solutions which will help you with suitable pointers for this answer. However, before going through our answer, you must try to solve this answer for yourself. 

Some of the pointers for this answer that you will find in our solution for Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 are –

i. The central location of India at the top of Indian ocean has given India its distinct climate

ii. Students can also write about how this helps India to establish close contact with West Asia, Africa and Europe from the western coast and with the Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast. Students will learn how India has a strategic advantage due to the trans-Indian Ocean routes which connect the European countries with the East Asian countries.

iii. With the help of our NCERT Solution of Class 9 Geography Chapter 1, you can also write about how the vast coastline and natural harbours. These have helped India to carry out trade and commerce easily with both its neighbouring and distant countries since ancient times. 

You will find the above pointers and more in our study materials compiled by expert teachers of geography. The importance of this chapter from an examination point of view only reinstates the importance of our solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 1. Download our solutions which are easy to understand and memorise and therefore will help you to achieve better results in your exams.

  • Geography Chapter 1 Class 9 – Question 5

For this question from Class 9 Geography Chapter 1, students are required to point out different physical features of India on a map. Maps are an essential part of geography which shows us geographical features like rivers, cities, mountains, states of a country or state or the whole world. So it’s very crucial for a student planning to take up geography for their higher studies to learn how to read a map.

In this question, students are required to answer a series of questions based on their reading of a map of India. Students should study a map of India carefully before attempting this question. After attempting this question, students will be able to remember clearly –

i. The island groups of India lying in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal

ii. The countries that constitute the Indian subcontinent

iii. The latitude and longitude within which the Indian mainland lies in degrees

iv. The strait that separates Sri Lanka from India 

v. All the seven Union Territories of India

vi. The place situated on three seas

vii. The states through which Tropic of Cancer passes

Our solutions for Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 provide you with accurate answers for each of the above questions to help you to memorise them and locate them on the map. You can download our app and access our solutions in PDF format. 

Download free Class 9 maths NCERT Solutions to amp up your preparations and to score well in your examinations.


CoolGyan – Your Online Study Partner 

The study materials for Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 offered by us have been framed to provide students with comprehensive guidance which will make their exam preparation more efficient. To ensure maximum benefits of students, our solution contains a detailed step by step explanation of each question written in simple language. 

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What are the topics and subtopics covered in class 9 social science contemporary India chapter 1?

The topics and subtopics covered in class 9 social science contemporary India chapter 1:

  • Size and Location of India

  • What are the latitudinal and longitudinal extensions of India?

  • The total area of India and the land boundary.

  • India and the world

  • Indian Ocean- the central location of India.

  • What are the countries that lie on the eastern coast and the western coast of India?

  • What are the neighbouring countries of India?

There are several exercises after each subtopic to test the extent of students' understanding in these topics. Students can find accurate answers to all these exercises questions in the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Contemporary India Chapter 1 - Size and location. These answers are written and curated in the exact same way it is expected in the exam helping the students to understand the correct way of answering the question.

2. Answer the following questions briefly.

(i) Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian Sea.

(ii) Name the countries which are larger than India.

(iii) Which island group of India lies to its south-east?

(iv) Which island countries are our southern neighbours?

(i) The Lakshadweep islands lie in the Arabian Sea to the southwest of the mainland and the Andaman and Nicobar islands lie in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of the mainland.


(ii) The countries which are larger than India - Russia, Canada, U.S.A, China, Brazil and Australia. Russia is the largest of all countries, with an area of 17.09 sq.km, while India has an area of 3.28 sq.km.


(iii) The Andaman and Nicobar islands lie to the south-east of India in the Bay Of Bengal. The total length of the coastline, including the islands of the Andaman and Nicobar and the Lakshadweep, is 7,516.6 km.


(iv) The island countries that are our southern neighbours are Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Maldives Islands are situated to the south of the Lakshadweep Islands, whereas Sri Lanka is separated from India by a narrow channel of sea formed by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar.

3. The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat in the west but the watches show the same time. How does this happen?

India’s latitudinal and longitudinal extent is about 30°. The width extent of east-west is smaller than the width of the north-south extent. When travelling, there is a time lag of two hours from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh. As Arunachal Pradesh lies to the eastern side of India, the sun rises here earlier when compared to Gujarat. The time along the Standard Meridian of India (82°30’E) passing through Mirzapur (in Uttar Pradesh) is taken as the standard time for the whole country. The latitudinal extent influences the duration of day and night, as one moves from south to north. Therefore, the watches show the same time in all the parts of the country.

4. Why must students refer to the NCERT Solutions for class 9 social science contemporary India chapter 1?

NCERT solutions is one of the most sought after study materials by the students. This is referred to by almost all the students as well as teachers to guide them. Students must and should refer to the NCERT solutions for the following reasons: 

  • All the questions in the textbooks exercises are solved meticulously by subject matter experts in the NCERT solutions. 

  • The answers provided here are given in a step by step format to help students understand the concepts better

  • They cover each and every question in each and every exercise in the NCERT books.

  • The solutions are filled with different short cut techniques and tips to help answer the questions quickly and accurately. 

  • The solutions are available as free PDF downloads for easy access. Students just need to download them and refer whenever it is necessary for them.

5. Name the union territories of India as mentioned in Class 9 Social Science?

There are 9 Union Territories of India. They are Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Chandigarh, New Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The first chapter of NCERT Social Science covers the details of the size and location of India in detail and CoolGyan’s solutions for Class 9 Social Science has detailed explanations of the same, which is available for free of cost to all.

6. What nations are considered as the neighbors of India?

India’s land boundaries include Afghanistan, Pakistan in the northwestern direction, Nepal, Bhutan and also China from the Northern side and Bangladesh and Myanmar from the Eastern side. Sri Lanka and Maldives form the Southern border. The chapter also covers other important landmarks and surrounding water bodies and all of these can also be asked to be marked on the map.

7. What is the size and location of Indian territory?

The area of land covered by India is about 3.28 million square km. This is known as India’s landmass. The total area accounts for a total of 2.4 per cent of the entire area covered by the world. Being the seventh-largest country, the country has a land boundary of 15,200 km, with a coastline of 7516.6 km. This coastline covers Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep as well. The location of India extends between latitudes 8°4’N and 37°6’N and longitudes 68°7’E and 97°25’E.

8. How can I download the solutions for Class 9 Social Science Chapter 1?

Chapter 1 of Class 9 Social science, Contemporary India is India- size and location. To download the solutions for this chapter, follow the instructions mentioned below:

  1. Click on the link of NCERT Solutions Class 9 Social Science Contemporary India on the CoolGyan website(CoolGyan.org).

  2. The webpage to CoolGyan Social Science Contemporary India will open. Click on Chapter 1, India- Size and location.

  3. The solutions to the chapter will be displayed on the screen. You can also download the solutions by clicking on Download PDF. This will save the PDF for offline use. One can also access the same on the CoolGyan Mobile App.

9. Which are the islands of India?

There are two main island groups in India. These are the Lakshadweep islands and the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The Andaman and Nicobar islands are in the Bay of Bengal, and the Lakshadweep islands are in the Arabian sea. All of this is mentioned in a very detailed manner in CoolGyan’s NCERT Class 9 Solutions for Contemporary India. Students can learn important landmarks and geographical extent along with other important topics from the solutions prepared by experts, all for free of cost.