NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science (Exploring Society) Chapter 3: Climates of India

These Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society Chapter 3 solutions cover Climates of India from Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1), the NCF-2023 textbook (2026–27 reprint). The chapter belongs to the theme India and the World: Land and the People and explains the difference between weather, seasons and climate, the main types of climate found across India, the five factors that determine climate, the working of the monsoons, how climate shapes our culture and economy, climate-related disasters, and the meaning and consequences of climate change. Below you get step-by-step answers to all Questions and activities, clear notes on key terms, extra practice, MCQs, Assertion–Reason and FAQs.

Class: 7 Subject: Social Science Book: Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1) Chapter: 3 Theme: India and the World: Land and the People Session: 2026–27
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Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society Chapter 3 – Overview

Chapter 3, Climates of India, first clears up the common confusion between weather (what we experience hour to hour or day to day) and climate (the long-term pattern of weather over several decades). It then surveys the many types of climate found in India — alpine, temperate, subtropical, arid, tropical wet, semi-arid and tropical — and explains the five factors that create them: latitude, altitude, proximity to the sea, winds and topography. The chapter describes the monsoons (the seasonal winds and rains that are central to Indian life), explaining the summer (southwest) and winter (northeast) monsoons. It shows how climate shapes our festivals, culture and economy (the danger of ‘monsoon failure’), and examines climate-related disasters — cyclones, floods, landslides and forest fires. Finally it introduces climate change, the greenhouse effect, global warming and the need for mitigation, resilience and sustainable living.

Key Concepts & Terms

Weather: what we experience from hour to hour or day to day — rain, sunshine, wind, heat or cold. The weather keeps changing.

Climate: the pattern of weather an area or region experiences over a long period of time — at least several decades. It varies from region to region.

Seasons (ṛitus): recurring periods (spring, summer, monsoon, autumn, winter) linked to Earth’s tilted axis as it revolves around the Sun; regional rainy seasons also depend on atmospheric circulation. Traditionally India recognises six ṛitus — vasanta, grīṣhma, varṣhā, śharad, hemanta and śhiśhir.

Types of climate in India: alpine (Himalayas — cold snowy winters, cool summers), temperate (lower Himalayas, hill stations), subtropical (northern plains — very hot summers, cold winters), arid (Thar Desert — very hot days, cool nights, little rain), tropical wet (western coastal strip — heavy monsoon rain), semi-arid (Deccan Plateau), and tropical (eastern India and the southern peninsula).

Factors determining climate: (a) latitude — places near the Equator are warmer, those near the poles colder; (b) altitude — temperature falls as height increases; (c) proximity to the sea — the sea moderates temperature; (d) winds — carry warm/cool air and moisture; (e) topography — mountains and the shape of the land influence climate.

Microclimate: a climate localised in a small area that differs from the surrounding region, e.g. enclosed valleys, forests, and ‘urban heat islands’.

Monsoon: from the Arabic mausim (‘season’); seasonal winds (and the rains they bring) over the Indian Ocean and surrounding regions. The summer/southwest monsoon provides the main rainy season from June to September; early June to around mid-July describes its advance across the country, not its full duration; the winter/northeast monsoon brings dry winds and some rain to east and south India.

Climate-related disasters: cyclones (rotating low-pressure storms; strong, organised cyclones may have an eye), floods (water overflowing onto dry land), landslides (sudden collapse of rock and soil), and forest fires (uncontrolled fires across vegetation).

Climate change: significant, long-term shifts in temperature, precipitation and weather events. Since the 19th century it has been largely driven by human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases and intensify the greenhouse effect, causing global warming.

Other key terms: Topography (the totality of an area’s physical surface features), Resilience (the capacity to withstand or recover from difficulties), Mitigation (steps to slow global warming and reduce the causes of climate change), Sustainable (something that can be maintained over a long period of time).

“Questions and activities” — Full Solutions

The seven numbered tasks follow NCERT, pp. 65–66. ClearStudy provides model answers, not an official answer key. Adapt creative activities to your location and experience. The monsoon illustration below supports the map task.

1. Match the climatic factors with their effects:

ANSWER
Column A (Climatic factor)Column B (Effect)
(1) Latitude(b) Creates different climates in the north and south
(2) Altitude(c) Keeps higher places cooler
(3) Proximity to the ocean(d) Moderates the temperature
(4) Monsoon winds(a) Brings wet air to India during summer
So the matches are: 1–(b), 2–(c), 3–(d), 4–(a). Latitude makes the warm south differ from the cooler north; altitude cools hill stations; nearness to the sea evens out temperatures; and the summer monsoon winds carry moist air over the land, causing rainfall.

2. Answer the following questions:

a) What is the difference between weather and climate?

ANSWER Weather is what we experience from hour to hour or day to day — it might be raining, sunny, windy, hot or cold — and it keeps changing constantly. Climate, on the other hand, is the pattern of weather that an area or region experiences over a long period of time — at least several decades. So weather is short-term and changeable, while climate is the long-term, average pattern that varies from region to region.

b) Why do places near the ocean have milder temperatures than places far away from it?

ANSWER Places near the ocean have milder temperatures because the sea acts as a moderator of temperature. The sea absorbs and loses heat slowly, whereas land heats up and cools down quickly. As a result, sea air keeps coastal summers from getting too hot and coastal winters from getting too cold. Places far inland do not get this moderating effect, so they experience more extreme temperatures — hotter summers and colder winters. For example, coastal Mumbai has cooler summers (around 32°C) and milder winters (around 18°C), giving a range of about 14°C, while inland Nagpur reaches about 44°C in summer and 10°C in winter, a much larger range of about 34°C.

c) What role do monsoon winds play in affecting India’s climate?

ANSWER Monsoon winds are central to India’s climate because they bring the country its main rainy season. In summer, the Asian landmass heats up and forms a powerful low-pressure system; winds are drawn from the cooler, high-pressure ocean towards the land, carrying moisture that condenses and falls as the heavy rains of the summer (southwest) monsoon. In winter, the pattern reverses: the land cools faster and develops high pressure, so winds blow from the land to the ocean. These winds are generally dry, but part of them, passing over the Bay of Bengal, pick up moisture and bring rain to parts of east and south India — the winter (northeast) monsoon. The monsoons fill the rivers, soak the soil and allow crops to grow, so life across India depends on them.

d) Why is Chennai warm or hot throughout the year, while Leh is cold?

ANSWER The difference is mainly due to latitude and altitude. Chennai lies at a low latitude, close to the Equator, where the Sun’s rays fall nearly perpendicular and their energy is concentrated on a small area; it is also at a low altitude near the sea. So Chennai stays warm or hot almost throughout the year. Leh, in the far north, lies at a higher latitude where the Sun’s rays are oblique and their heat is spread over a larger area, and it sits at a very high altitude in the mountains, where the thin, less dense air is much cooler. Both these factors make Leh cold for most of the year.

3. Look at a map of India given at the end of this book. Identify the climate for these cities — Leh, Chennai, Delhi, Panaji and Jaipur.

Is the place near the sea, in the mountains, or in the desert? How do these factors affect the climate there?

ANSWER Using the location of each city and the factors of climate explained in the chapter:
CityLocationClimate & reason
LehIn the high mountains (Himalayan region)High-altitude cold desert climate — long cold winters, low precipitation and a short summer. Altitude and the Himalayan rain shadow are important.
ChennaiNear the sea (eastern coast)Tropical climate — low latitude and nearness to the sea keep it warm/hot and humid through the year.
DelhiIn the northern plains, far inlandSubtropical climate — being inland gives very hot summers and cold winters (a large temperature range).
PanajiNear the sea (western coast)Tropical wet climate — the sea moderates temperature and it receives heavy monsoon rainfall.
JaipurNear/at the edge of the Thar DesertArid/semi-arid climate — very hot days, cooler nights and little rainfall.
Coasts usually have a smaller annual temperature range, but can still be hot and humid. High mountains are generally cooler. Deserts receive little precipitation; they may be hot, like the Thar, or cold, like Ladakh. This question is based on the physical map at the end of the textbook; the climates above follow directly from the location and factors described in the chapter.

4. Draw the monsoon cycle in summers and winters on a map of India.

Label where the winds blow in summer and winter; Show the direction of winds during the monsoon

ANSWERUse two outline maps from your textbook or school atlas, labelled southwest monsoon and northeast monsoon. Add a north arrow, the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean.Summer: draw moist winds from the Arabian Sea towards the west coast and interior. Show the Bay of Bengal branch moving northwards and then turning west or northwest along the northern plains. The main southwest monsoon season is June–September; its advance across India usually occurs during June and early July.Autumn/early winter: draw northeast winds towards the southwest, generally from land to sea. Show winds crossing the Bay of Bengal towards the southeastern coast, picking up moisture. October–December is the principal northeast-monsoon rainfall period in Tamil Nadu and adjoining regions.The schematic shows the overall pattern. Use the textbook outline for your classroom map; actual wind paths vary with location, topography and weather systems.
Climates of India: southwest monsoon winds from sea to land and northeast winds crossing the Bay towards the southeast coast
Original schematic with Natural Earth coastline data. Blue arrows show moisture-bearing winds; brown shows generally dry flow. Political boundaries are omitted. Arrow paths are simplified. Tap to view at full size.

5. Make a colourful poster showing festivals in India linked to farming and weather (e.g., Baisakhi, Onam). Add pictures or drawings of these festivals.

ANSWERTitle your poster “Seasons, Farming and Festivals”. Make four illustrated panels:
  • Baisakhi, Punjab: draw ripe wheat and harvesting; explain the spring harvest connection.
  • Onam, Kerala: draw a flower arrangement (pookalam) and a harvest scene; note the festival’s connection with prosperity and the harvest season.
  • Pongal, Tamil Nadu: draw a decorated pot of newly harvested rice with sugarcane; label it a January harvest thanksgiving.
  • Bihu, Assam: distinguish Bohag/Rongali Bihu (spring and the new agricultural cycle) from Magh/Bhogali Bihu (post-harvest celebration).
Write the region, approximate season and farming link below each panel. Use natural colours and add one locally observed festival. Dates and customs vary; not every seasonal or religious festival is itself a harvest festival.

6. Imagine you are a farmer in India. Write a short diary entry about how you would prepare for the rainy season.

ANSWERModel diary — a paddy farmer, 15 May: “Today I repaired the field bunds, cleared drainage channels and checked our rainwater storage. I selected suitable seeds and arranged tools and nursery space. I will check the local weather forecast and agricultural advice before sowing or transplanting, because the first shower may be followed by a dry spell. I also repaired the cattle shed and stored fodder safely. Elders shared local signs of approaching rain; I will record these traditions and compare them with forecasts. I hope for well-distributed rain and will prepare for both water shortage and excess water.”Choose crops and dates appropriate to your own region. This is a sample, not a universal farming calendar.

7. Identify a natural disaster (e.g., cyclone, flood, landslide, or forest fire) and write a short essay that includes the causes and impacts. Suggest actions that individuals, communities and the government can take to reduce the impact.

ANSWER Model essay — Floods: A flood occurs when water overflows onto land that is normally dry. Causes: heavy rainfall during the monsoon creates huge run-off that the land cannot absorb; rivers and lakes overflow or their banks are breached; in the Himalayas, glacial lakes can burst (a glacial-lake outburst flood; the 2013 Uttarakhand disaster involved extreme rainfall, floods and landslides); and in cities, overburdened drains, poorly planned construction on waterways and concrete surfaces that do not absorb water cause urban flooding. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Assam are especially vulnerable. Impacts: floods take human and animal lives, destroy homes, crops, roads and bridges, spread disease, displace families and badly hurt the local economy. Actions to reduce the impact: Individuals can avoid building on floodplains, store emergency supplies, follow IMD warnings and not throw waste into drains. Communities can keep drains and waterways clean, harvest rainwater, plant trees to absorb water and prepare evacuation plans. The government can build proper drainage and embankments, give early warnings through the IMD, restore wetlands, regulate construction near rivers, and deploy the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for rescue and relief.

Extra Practice Questions

These questions and MCQs are ClearStudy practice, separate from the NCERT exercise.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. What is a microclimate? Give one example.

ANSWERA microclimate is a climate localised in a small area that differs from the climate of the surrounding region, with its own pattern of temperature, humidity and precipitation. An example is an ‘urban heat island’ — a city with many buildings and little vegetation that traps heat and stays warmer than the area around it. Enclosed valleys and forests can also have their own microclimates.

Q2. Why does temperature decrease as altitude increases?

ANSWERIn the troposphere, temperature generally decreases with height. The land and sea absorb sunlight and warm the lower air. As air rises into lower pressure, it expands and cools. This helps explain why high hill stations are cooler than nearby plains. Local temperature inversions are exceptions, so the rule is not absolute.

Q3. From which word does ‘monsoon’ come, and what does it mean?

ANSWERThe word ‘monsoon’ comes from the Arabic word mausim, meaning ‘season’. It refers to the seasonal winds that blow over a large area of the Indian Ocean and surrounding regions, and commonly to the seasonal rains these winds bring to India.

Q4. What is the ‘eye of the cyclone’?

ANSWERThe eye is a relatively calm central region of a well-developed tropical cyclone, often with little cloud. It is surrounded by the eyewall, where winds and rainfall are intense. Not every cyclone has a clearly defined eye, and a calm spell does not mean the storm has passed.

Q5. What is meant by ‘monsoon failure’ and how does it affect people?

ANSWER‘Monsoon failure’ means poor rainfall during the monsoon season. It causes agriculture to suffer, forces people (often women) to walk long distances for water, pushes farm labourers to migrate to cities, and makes food costlier, fuelling inflation. Industries that depend on water and steady weather are also affected.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Describe the main types of climate found in India.

ANSWERIndia’s climate is as diverse as its land. In the north, the Himalayan mountains have an alpine climate with cold, snowy winters and cool summers. Lower in the Himalayas and in many hilly areas the climate is temperate, with moderately cold winters and mild summers — this is where the hill stations lie. The northern plains have a subtropical climate with very hot summers and cold winters, ideal for growing wheat. In the west, the Thar Desert has an arid climate with extremely hot days, cool nights and very little rain. The western coastal strip has a tropical wet climate with heavy monsoon rainfall, good for rice and spices. The central Deccan Plateau has a semi-arid climate with hot summers, mild winters and moderate rain. Eastern India and the southern peninsula have a tropical climate with mild winters and distinct wet and dry periods controlled by the monsoon winds.

Q2. Explain how the summer and winter monsoons are formed.

ANSWERThe monsoons depend on the simple fact that land heats up and cools down faster than the ocean. As summer begins, the Asian landmass heats up rapidly and forms a strong low-pressure system over it. Since air always flows from high to low pressure, winds are drawn from the cooler, high-pressure ocean towards the hot land. These ocean winds carry moisture, which rises, cools and condenses, producing rain as the heavy rains of the summer (southwest) monsoon; in India these rains advance from the southern tip in early June and cover the whole subcontinent by mid-July, with the Western Ghats acting as a barrier that gives their western slopes much more rain. In winter, the land cools faster than the ocean, so the land has high pressure and the ocean lower pressure. The winds reverse and blow from land to sea — the dry winter (northeast) monsoon — though a part passing over the Bay of Bengal brings some rain to east and south India.

Q3. What is climate change? Explain its causes and how it can be tackled.

ANSWERClimate change refers to significant, long-term changes in the climate — shifts in temperature, precipitation and weather events — on a planetary or regional scale. In past millennia natural processes drove these changes, but since the 19th century climate change has been driven largely by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, harmful industrial practices and wasteful consumption. Burning fossil fuels releases large amounts of greenhouse gases that trap extra heat through the greenhouse effect, causing rapid global warming and disrupting long-settled climate patterns; the textbook gives the warm conditions of early 2025 as an example. A single warm season is not by itself proof of climate change; scientists examine long-term records and physical causes. To tackle it, governments and people are promoting mitigation measures: cutting greenhouse-gas emissions, planting trees, boosting renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and adopting sustainable lifestyles, while building resilience and adaptation in communities. The challenge is to balance this with the desire for economic growth.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. Climate is best described as:

(a) the weather of a single day    (b) the pattern of weather over several decades    (c) the season at present    (d) the daily temperature

2. The Himalayan mountains in the north of India have which type of climate?

(a) Arid    (b) Tropical wet    (c) Alpine    (d) Semi-arid

3. Which factor explains why hill stations are cooler than the plains below?

(a) Latitude    (b) Altitude    (c) Proximity to the sea    (d) Winds

4. The word ‘monsoon’ comes from the Arabic word mausim, which means:

(a) rain    (b) wind    (c) season    (d) ocean

5. The summer monsoon in India is also called the:

(a) northeast monsoon    (b) southwest monsoon    (c) western disturbance    (d) trade wind

6. Which place receives the highest average annual rainfall in the world (about 11,000 mm)?

(a) Cherrapunji    (b) Mawsynram    (c) Mumbai    (d) Munnar

7. The calm, cloudless centre of a cyclone is called the:

(a) depression    (b) low-pressure belt    (c) eye of the cyclone    (d) cyclonic circulation

8. Coastal areas such as Mumbai have milder temperatures than inland places like Nagpur because:

(a) they are at a higher altitude    (b) the sea moderates the temperature    (c) they are nearer the Equator    (d) they receive no winds

9. Since the 19th century, climate change has been driven mainly by:

(a) natural processes alone    (b) human activities such as burning fossil fuels    (c) the rotation of the Earth    (d) ocean currents only

10. Which force is specially trained to respond to natural and human-made disasters in India?

(a) IMD    (b) ISA    (c) NDRF    (d) CPCB

Answer key: 1-(b), 2-(c), 3-(b), 4-(c), 5-(b), 6-(b), 7-(c), 8-(b), 9-(b), 10-(c).

For each Assertion–Reason question, choose: (A) Both true and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion; (B) Both true but the Reason is not the correct explanation; (C) Assertion true, Reason false; (D) Assertion false, Reason true.

A-R 1. Assertion: Places near the Equator are warmer than places near the poles.

Reason: Near the Equator the Sun’s rays are nearly perpendicular and their energy is concentrated on a smaller area.

A-R 2. Assertion: Coastal regions have a more extreme temperature range than inland regions.

Reason: The sea acts as a moderator, warming the air in winter and cooling it in summer.

A-R 3. Assertion: The summer monsoon winds blow from the ocean towards the land.

Reason: In summer the land heats up and forms a low-pressure system, drawing winds from the high-pressure ocean.

A-R 4. Assertion: Urban heat islands are warmer than the surrounding region.

Reason: Cities with many concrete buildings and little vegetation trap heat.

A-R 5. Assertion: Weather and climate mean exactly the same thing.

Reason: Climate is the long-term pattern of weather over several decades, while weather is what we experience day to day.

Answer key: 1-(A), 2-(D), 3-(A), 4-(A), 5-(D).

In-text activities: explain the connection

Ooty and Coimbatore (p. 51): they have similar latitudes, so altitude explains much of the difference: high Ooty is cooler than lower Coimbatore. Use the textbook’s temperature ranges as examples, not today’s forecast.

Seasons and local trees: record dates, local names, leaf changes, flowering and rainfall in your area. Some trees shed leaves in a dry season rather than before winter; use observations rather than assuming one pattern for all India.

Western Ghats: moisture-bearing winds rise on the western slopes, cool and give rain. The descending air to the east is generally drier, creating a rain-shadow effect.

Disaster comparison: separate the trigger (heavy rain, strong winds, dry conditions) from factors that increase damage (blocked drains, unsafe construction, vegetation loss, people living in exposed locations). Preparedness, warnings and suitable land use can reduce losses even when the natural event cannot be prevented.

Mitigation and adaptation: renewable energy and efficiency reduce emissions; flood preparedness and heat-resilient housing help people adapt to impacts.

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

How to write a clear answer

Memorise the clear difference between weather (short-term) and climate (long-term, over decades) — use a short example to show the difference. Learn the five factors that determine climate (latitude, altitude, proximity to the sea, winds, topography) and be ready to give an Indian example for each. For monsoon questions, always explain it through pressure: land heats faster than the ocean, so summer winds blow sea→land (rain) and winter winds blow land→sea (dry). Use the textbook’s own examples — Mumbai vs Nagpur, Chennai vs Leh, Ooty vs Coimbatore, Mawsynram, the Western Ghats, Cyclone Fani and the 2013 Uttarakhand floods — to show you have studied the chapter.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using “weather” and “climate” as if they mean the same thing — climate is the long-term pattern.
  • Saying the summer monsoon blows from land to sea — it is the other way round (sea to land).
  • Confusing the summer/southwest monsoon (heavy rain) with the winter/northeast monsoon (mainly dry).
  • Mixing up the types of climate — alpine (Himalayas), arid (Thar Desert), tropical wet (west coast).
  • Forgetting that altitude, not just latitude, makes places like Leh and hill stations cold.
  • Leaving map, poster and diary activities blank — complete them using the instructions and your teacher’s marking criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chapter 3 of Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society about?

Chapter 3, Climates of India, explains the difference between weather, seasons and climate, the main types of climate in India, the five factors that determine climate (latitude, altitude, proximity to the sea, winds and topography), how the summer and winter monsoons work, how climate shapes culture and the economy, climate-related disasters, and the meaning and consequences of climate change.

What are the five factors that determine the climate of a region?

The five factors are latitude (distance from the Equator), altitude (height above sea level), proximity to the sea, winds, and topography (the physical surface features of the land). Together these factors decide the temperature, rainfall and wind patterns of a region.

What is the exercise heading for Chapter 3 of Exploring Society?

The end-of-chapter exercise in Exploring Society: India and Beyond Chapter 3 is headed Questions and activities and contains 7 numbered questions, all answered step by step on this page.

Reviewed 10 October 2026 against NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Grade 7 Part 1, Chapter 3, pp. 45–66 (2026–27 reprint). Seasonal timing checked against IMD’s southwest and northeast monsoon reporting.

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