ICSE Class 10 Question Paper 2026 Geography

ICSE | Class 10

Geography
Question Paper 2026

Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

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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 first 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 five 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. G43S7 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. G43S7 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.

This paper consists of 14 printed pages and 1 outline map of India.
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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. G43S7 and answer the
following questions:
(i) (a) What is the social significance of the temple that is found at the six- [2]
figure grid reference 362001?

(b) What is the reason for very few settlements in the southeastern quarter
of the map extract?

(ii) (a) What is .3r in grid square 3501? [2]

(b) Identify one relief feature found in the grid square 3796.

(iii) (a) The area shown on the map extract has seasonal streams, but in 3903 [2]
a large perennial water source can be seen. What may be the reason
for the presence of this large perennial source of water?

(b) Which other source of water seen on the map extract is perennial?

(iv) (a) While travelling for work from Dhaneri (3100) to Marwada (3197) [2]
along the metalled road, Sahil crossed over a number of ‘causeways’.
Why are causeways present in the area shown on the map extract?

(b) Identify the drainage pattern seen in the grid square 3697.

(v) (a) What is the difference in altitude between the highest point on the map [2]
extract and the contour height in grid square 3203?

(b) What is the black horizontal line made between 98 and 99 northings
called?

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Question 2

On the outline map of India provided:

(i) Mark and name an old fold mountain range of India. [1]

(ii) Mark with an arrow and name the river also known as the ‘Sorrow of Bihar’. [1]

(iii) Shade and label the Gulf of Kutch. [1]

(iv) Mark and label the Karakoram Pass. [1]

(v) Mark and label an offshore oil field of India. [1]

(vi) Shade and label the Laterite soil area in the northeastern part of India. [1]

(vii) Mark and name the shared capital city of Punjab and Haryana. [1]

(viii) Mark and label the Western Ghats. [1]

(ix) Shade and label the river Krishna. [1]

(x) Shade and label an area of dense population. [1]

Question 3

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

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

(i) Mawsynram, the rainiest place in the world, gets the rain from:

(a) South-west monsoon wind - Arabian Sea branch

(b) South-west monsoon wind - Bay of Bengal branch

(c) Western Disturbance

(d) North-east monsoon wind

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(ii) Choose the characteristic that is true about Laterite soil.

(a) It is a clayey soil.

(b) It is moisture retentive.

(c) It is rich in calcium.

(d) It undergoes desilication.

(iii) Identify the option which is most similar to:
Tropical Evergreen vegetation : Tall trees and hardwood

(a) Tropical Deciduous vegetation : Pure stands

(b) Tropical Desert vegetation : Small leaves and spines

(c) Coniferous forests : Mountain

(d) Littoral vegetation : Boat making

(iv) Assertion (A): Irrigation is practised in large parts of India.

Reason (R): India has a variety of soil types.

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

(b) (A) is false and (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).

(v) Identify the type of coal that has the highest calorific value.

(a) Peat

(b) Lignite

(c) Bituminous

(d) Anthracite

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(vi) The residue of ___________ forms an important part of the cattle feed and
manure.

(a) groundnut

(b) coffee

(c) jute

(d) pulses

(vii) Identify the crop that is grown in the Rabi cropping season.

(a) Sugarcane

(b) Rice

(c) Mustard

(d) Cotton

(viii) Which industry is ideally located close to the raw material producing area?

(a) Silk industry

(b) Jute industry

(c) Cotton textile industry

(d) Sugar industry

(ix) Which of the following is NOT suitable for composting?

(a) Fruit peels

(b) Egg shells

(c) Neem soap

(d) Used tea leaves

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(x) The picture given below depicts the use of waterway as a means of transport.

Identify the pair of cities which are most likely to be the terminal cities for
the waterway shown in the above picture:

(a) Prayagraj and Haldia

(b) Mumbai and Goa

(c) Chennai and Vishakhapatnam

(d) Kochi and Mangaluru

PART II (50 Marks)
(Attempt any five questions from this Part.)

Question 4
(i) (a) Name a state in India which is the first to receive the summer monsoon [2]
and is also the last to see its retreat.

(b) Mention the weather conditions experienced during the retreating
monsoon season.

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(ii) Study the map showing the area that receives rains during winter and answer [2]
the questions that follow:

A

B

(a) Name the wind which brings rainfall to:
1. the shaded area labelled A.
2. the shaded area labelled B.
(b) How is the rain brought by the winds named by you in (a) above,
beneficial for the area shaded A and the area shaded B?
(iii) Shyam attended winter trekking camps in both Nainital and in Ooty. He [3]
observed that the mountains in Nainital were ice-covered, whereas, in Ooty
they were ice-free.
(a) As a student of Geography, explain the reason for the difference in
climate of Nainital and Ooty?
(b) If Shyam goes to Kochi in the same season, what difference of climate
will he experience?

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(iv) Study the climate data of station X and answer the following questions: [3]

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Temperature
13.5 16.8 22.4 33.6 38.6 30.2 29.3 28.4 27.8 25.7 19.9 15.5
(ºC )
Rainfall
1.3 _ _ 5.9 12.4 43.9 51.4 39.8 20.9 15.1 2.6 2.1
(cm)
(a) Why is there a decrease in temperature in the month of June after the
high temperature of May?
(b) Calculate the total rainfall of the station during the rainy season and
give your answer in cm.
(c) Is station X located near the sea or away from the sea? Give a reason
for your answer.

Question 5
(i) Observe the picture of ex-situ soil given below and answer the questions [2]
that follow:

floodplain
river river terrace

(a) Identify the types of soil marked as A and B.

(b) Which of the two, A or B, is more fertile and why?

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(ii) (a) Name the soil component derived from the decay of dead plants and [2]
animals.

(b) Why is the component mentioned by you in (a) important for
agriculture?

(iii) Give a geographical reason to explain each of the following: [3]

(a) In arid regions, trees are planted in rows perpendicular to wind
direction.

(b) Black soil does not get leached.

(c) It is difficult to grow rice in red soil without the help of irrigation.

(iv) (a) What is soil conservation? [3]

(b) Name two areas in north India where soil conservation is required.

(c) Name two methods of soil conservation practised in India.

Question 6

(i) Why are forests important for the Indian economy? [2]

(ii) Identify the forest conservation methods described below: [2]

(a) A sustainable system of managing a piece of land through combined
production of agricultural crops, forest crops and animal rearing.

(b) Planting of trees along the side of roads, railway lines and on hill
slopes.

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(iii) Given below is an image of the forest found in marshy areas. Refer to the [3]
image and answer the questions that follow:

(a) Name the type of vegetation seen in the above image.

(b) Mention one adaptive feature of the trees of this vegetation.

(c) Name a region where this type of vegetation is commonly found in
India.
(iv) Give one geographical reason to explain each of the following: [3]

(a) Desert vegetation has long roots.

(b) At higher altitudes, trees are often conical in shape.

(c) Tropical Monsoon Forests are also called ‘Tropical Deciduous
Forests’.

Question 7

(i) Raghu wants to irrigate his large field in a manner that will ensure uniform [2]
water distribution across the field along with water conservation.

(a) Name the irrigation method that will be suitable as per his need.

(b) How will the method of irrigation mentioned by you in (a) above help
to conserve water?

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(ii) What is the difference between Inundation canals and Perennial canals? [2]

(iii) Considering the rapid depletion of groundwater and its implications for [3]
food and water security in India, sustainable management of groundwater
resources is needed.
Source: [Journal of Hydrology, Volume 596, May 2021]

(a) How is ‘groundwater’ different from ‘surface water’?

(b) Why is the groundwater level rapidly declining in India?

(c) Name one conservation measure that will help in recharging of the
groundwater.

(iv) Give a reason for each of the following: [3]

(a) Wells are a common means of irrigation in Northern India.

(b) Many state governments have restricted the use of tubewells.

(c) Tank irrigation is a popular method of irrigation used in Karnataka.

Question 8

(i) State two advantages that Natural gas has over Coal. [2]

(ii) (a) Umesh and Sagar are employed in iron ore mines in two different [2]
districts of Odisha. What are their possible places of work?

(b) State any two uses of copper.

(iii) (a) The Bhakra Nangal project is a joint venture of which state [3]
governments?

(b) Name the river on which this project is based.

(c) Mention two benefits of the Bhakra Nangal project.

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(iv) Give one word for each of the following: [3]

(a) The renewable energy produced by the natural rise and fall of ocean
waters.

(b) An ore of aluminium.

(c) A mineral that is used to make steel strong and resistant to rusting.

Question 9
(i) Differentiate between subsistence farming and commercial farming. [2]

(ii) (a) Name a state that leads in the production of jute. [2]

(b) Mention a geographical factor that is responsible for the state
mentioned in (a) above being the leading producer of jute.

(iii) (a) Why are Silver Oak trees and Cardamom trees planted in coffee [3]
plantations along with the coffee plants?

(b) State two climatic conditions that favour the cultivation of coffee.

(iv) (a) Name the cropping season in which Bajra is grown. [3]

(b) Why is wheat not cultivated extensively in West Bengal and the
extreme southern states of India?

(c) Why is the cultivation of soyabean gaining popularity in recent times?

Question 10
(i) ‘Not all areas of India are suitable for establishing a large-scale industry.’ [2]
Give two reasons for the above statement.

(ii) ‘The contribution of the electronics industry is crucial for the progress and [2]
development of the Indian economy.’ State two arguments in favour of this
statement.

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(iii) Give one geographical reason to explain each of the following: [3]

(a) Work in sugar mills is a seasonal activity.

(b) The cotton textile industry is widely distributed in India.

(c) Vishakhapatnam steel plant has a unique locational advantage that
enables it to procure raw materials easily and market the finished
products with ease.

(iv) (a) Name the oldest iron and steel industry of India. [3]

(b) Where is it located?

(c) Name a centre from where it gets its coal supply.

Question 11
(i) Inland water transport is more popular in Northern India as compared to [2]
Peninsular India. Give two reasons.

(ii) What is the purpose of developing the Golden Quadrilateral in India? [2]

(iii) Mr. Kumar stays in Delhi with his family. Members of his family had to [3]
travel on Monday for different purposes. State the mode of transport that is
most likely to be chosen by each:

(a) Mr. Kumar’s father wanted to travel comfortably to Patna to stay with
his brother for a week.

(b) Mr. Kumar’s son had to attend a meeting in Ahmedabad that very
evening.

(c) Mr. Kumar’s daughter had to meet her friend who lives in the same
city, taking with her some fresh vegetables grown in their kitchen
garden.

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(iv) Give one geographical reason to explain each of the following: [3]
(a) The presence of a number of ports has strengthened the transport
sector of India.
(b) The number of airports in the country is on the rise.
(c) Railways are considered ideal for transportation of bulky goods over
long distances.

Question 12
(i) What impact does waste accumulation have on our environment? [2]
(ii) Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follow: [2]

(a) Name the waste management practice shown in the given picture.
(b) State two benefits of this waste management practice.
(iii) Udit wants his younger sister to bring about a few lifestyle changes to help [3]
her contribute towards a cleaner and healthier environment. Suggest three
advice that Udit may provide her in this regard.
(iv) Give a reason for each of the following: [3]
(a) Waste should be segregated before disposal.
(b) Dumping could be harmful for the environment.
(c) Radioactive waste is the most harmful waste.

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Question No. 2
Index No.……………………………………………. UID……………………………..
(This map, if used, must be fastened with all other answers)
Outline Map of India for Question 2.

ONLY FOR THE USE OF EXAMINER
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix) (x) Total

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