NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography India Physical Environment Chapter 4 Climate 2026-27

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

(i) What causes rainfall on the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu in the beginning

of winters?

(a) South-West monsoon

(b) Temperate cyclones 

(c) North-Eastern monsoon

(d) Local air circulation

Answer: (c) North-Eastern monsoon 

(ii) What is the proportion of area of India which receives annual rainfall less

than 75 cm?

(a) Half

(b) One-third 

(c) Two-third

(d) Three-fourth

Answer: (d) Three-fourth 

(iii) Which one of the following is not a fact regarding South India?

(a) Diurnal range of temperature is less here.

(b) Annual range of temperature is less here.

(c) Temperatures here are high throughout the year.

(d) Extreme climatic conditions are found here.

Answer: (d) Extreme climatic conditions are found here. 

(iv) Which one of the following phenomenon happens when the sun shines vertically over the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere?

(a) High pressure develops over North-western India due to low

temperatures.

(b) Low pressure develops over North-western India due to high

temperatures.

(c) No changes in temperature and pressure occur in the north-western

India.

(d) ‘Loo’ blows in the North-western India.

Answer: (a) High pressure develops over North-western India due to low temperatures. 

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) What is the Inter-Tropical Convergene Zone?

Answer: The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a low-pressure belt near the equator where trade winds from both hemispheres meet and rise. In July, the ITCZ shifts northwards to around 20°N–25°N over the Gangetic Plain and is known as the monsoon trough.

This shift helps create a thermal low-pressure area over north and northwest India. As a result, trade winds from the Southern Hemisphere cross the equator between 40°E and 60°E longitudes. Due to the Coriolis force, these winds turn and blow from the southwest to the northeast, forming the southwest monsoon.

In winter, the ITCZ moves southward, causing a reversal of wind direction. The winds then blow from the northeast towards the south and southwest, forming the northeast monsoon.

(ii) What is meant by ‘bursting of monsoon’? Name the place in India that receives the highest rainfall.

Answer: The sudden arrival of monsoon winds, accompanied by strong winds, thunder, lightning, and heavy rainfall, is called the burst of the monsoon. In India, this happens when the western jet stream moves away, and the easterly jet stream develops around 15°N latitude. This easterly jet stream plays an important role in bringing the monsoon burst.

The highest rainfall is received along the western coast, the Western Ghats, the sub-Himalayan region in the northeast, and the hills of Meghalaya. These areas receive more than 200 cm of rainfall. In parts of the Khasi and Jaintia hills, rainfall can exceed 1,000 cm. However, the Brahmaputra valley and nearby hills receive comparatively less rainfall, usually below 200 cm.

(iii) Which type(s) of cyclones cause rainfall in north-western India during winter? Where do they originate?

Answer: Western cyclonic disturbances bring winter rainfall to northwestern India. These systems originate over the Mediterranean Sea and are carried into India by the westerly jet stream. A rise in night temperature usually indicates their arrival.

3. Answer the following questions in not more than 125 words.

(i) Notwithstanding the broad climatic unity, the climate of India has many regional variations. Elaborate on this statement, giving suitable examples.

Answer:

• India has a monsoon-type climate, but there are clear regional variations in temperature, rainfall, and seasons. 

• For example, Rajasthan may record very high summer temperatures, while places like Tawang remain much cooler. In winter, Drass may experience extremely low temperatures, whereas Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram stay warm. 

• The Thar Desert has a high day-night temperature difference, but coastal areas like Kerala have moderate temperatures. 

• Rainfall also varies widely. Mawsynram and Cherrapunji receive very heavy rainfall, while Jaisalmer gets very little. 

• The Himalayas receive snowfall, while most other regions receive rain. Thus, India has climatic unity due to the monsoons, but also significant regional differences.

(ii) How many distinct seasons are found in India as per the Indian Meteorological Department? Discuss the weather conditions associated with any one season in detail.

Answer: According to the Indian Meteorological Department, India has four main seasons: winter, from December to February; summer, from March to May; southwest monsoon, from June to September; and retreating monsoon, from October to November.

During the summer season, temperatures rise sharply in many parts of India-northern and northwestern India experience very hot conditions, with temperatures sometimes reaching around 45°C or more. The Deccan Plateau, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan become very hot. However, South India remains comparatively moderate because of the influence of the surrounding seas. Coastal areas have lower temperature variation, while the hills of the Western Ghats remain cooler.

Project/Activity

On the outline map of India, show the following:

(i) Areas of winter rain

(ii) Wind direction during the summer season

(iii) Areas having less than 15°°C temperature in January

(iv) Isohyte of 100 cm.

Answer:

Avoid These Common Mistakes in Chapter 4: Climate with Vedantu’s NCERT Solutions Class 11 Geography 

• Students often confuse the southwest monsoon with the northeast monsoon, or mix up western disturbances with tropical cyclones - errors that cost easy marks. 

• These solved answers show you the exact distinctions that CBSE expects, including correct terms such as monsoon trough, Coriolis force, and October heat. 

• Revise the differences in a table format once, then attempt Vedantu's Chapter 4 Important Questions to check whether the concepts truly stick.

Test Yourself on Chapter 4 Climate from Class 11 Geography India Physical Environment

• Before closing this chapter, check if you can answer these without looking: Which jet stream triggers the burst of monsoon? 

• Why does Drass freeze while Chennai stays warm in January? Which region records over 1,000 cm of rainfall?

• If any answer takes more than a few seconds, revisit the solutions above to revise quickly with Vedantu.

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