| Latest Social Science NCERT Notes, Solutions and Extra Q & A (Class 6th & 7th) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th | 7th | ||||||||||||||||||
Latest Class 6th Social Science NCERT (Exploring - India and Beyond) Notes, NCERT Question Solutions and Extra Q & A
1. Locating Places On The Earth
This chapter introduces basic geographical tools for finding locations on our planet. It explains the use of the **globe** and maps and introduces key concepts like the Equator, parallels of **latitude**, and meridians of **longitude**. The intersection of latitude and longitude lines creates a **grid system** that helps pinpoint any location accurately. Understanding how to use this grid is essential for reading maps and locating different places, including finding the precise position of India on a world map.
2. Oceans And Continents
This chapter introduces the major landmasses (**continents**) and large water bodies (**oceans**) that make up the Earth's surface. There are seven continents (Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, Antarctica) and five major oceans (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic). Asia is the largest continent and Australia the smallest. The chapter discusses their distribution and features, helping students understand the basic geography of our planet and locating India relative to Asia and the **Indian Ocean**, which is uniquely named after our country.
3. Landforms And Life
This chapter explores different natural features found on the Earth's surface, known as **landforms**, and how they influence human life. It discusses major landforms like **mountains** (e.g., Himalayas), **plateaus** (e.g., Deccan Plateau), and **plains** (e.g., Northern Plains), explaining how they are formed through natural processes. The chapter highlights how different landforms affect climate, vegetation, human settlements, and economic activities, showing how life adapts to the unique conditions of each landform type in India and globally.
4. Timeline And Sources Of History
This chapter introduces the concept of time in history and how historians study the past. It explains the need for a **timeline**, using concepts like BC (Before Christ) or BCE (Before Common Era) and AD (Anno Domini) or CE (Common Era) to sequence events. Different **sources of history** are discussed, including archaeological sources (artifacts, monuments), literary sources (written records, manuscripts), **inscriptions** (writings on hard surfaces like rocks), and coins. Learning about these sources is crucial for reconstructing and understanding past events, particularly those of ancient India, such as the edicts of Ashoka.
5. India, That Is Bharat
This chapter provides an overview of India's unique geography and political structure. It discusses the country's official names, **India** and **Bharat**, as mentioned in the Constitution. The chapter highlights India's diverse physical features, including mountains, plains, plateaus, coasts, and islands. It also introduces the political divisions of the country into **states** and **Union Territories**, explaining their geographical distribution. Understanding India's geography and administrative divisions is fundamental to studying its history and society, providing a clear spatial context.
6. The Beginnings Of Indian Civilisation
This chapter explores the early phases of human settlement and the rise of the first major civilization in the Indian subcontinent. It discusses the Stone Age and early human life. The focus then shifts to the **Indus Valley Civilization** (also known as the Harappan Civilization), one of the world's oldest urban cultures. Key features like planned cities (**Harappa**, **Mohenjo-Daro**), drainage systems, seals, and economic activities are discussed, providing insight into the sophisticated urban life that flourished in the region thousands of years ago along the Indus River and its tributaries.
7. India's Cultural Roots
This chapter delves into the origins and early development of India's rich and diverse culture. It discusses the **Vedic period**, the composition of the **Vedas**, and the development of early religious and philosophical ideas. The emergence of major Indian religions like **Buddhism** (founded by Gautama Buddha) and **Jainism** (associated with Mahavira) is explored, highlighting their teachings and spread. Early forms of art, architecture, and literature are also introduced, showcasing the profound cultural foundations laid in ancient India that continue to influence its traditions today.
8. Unity In Diversity, Or 'Many In The One'
This chapter celebrates India's unique characteristic of **unity in diversity**. It highlights the country's vast variations in languages (numerous regional languages), religions (Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, etc.), cultures, festivals, food habits, and clothing styles across different regions. Despite these differences, the chapter emphasizes the underlying unity of India, fostered through shared history, national symbols, and a spirit of tolerance and coexistence. The phrase 'Many in the One' reflects how diverse elements contribute to a single national identity, a source of strength for India.
9. Family And Community
This chapter introduces the fundamental social units: the **family** and the **community**. It discusses different types of families (nuclear, joint families, common in India) and their roles in nurturing individuals and transmitting values. The concept of a **community** as a group of people living together and sharing common interests, customs, and social structures is explained. The chapter highlights the importance of mutual support, cooperation, and shared responsibilities within families and communities, emphasizing their crucial role in shaping individuals and contributing to the fabric of society in India.
10. Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance
This chapter introduces the concept of **governance**, which involves making and implementing decisions for a group or country. It explains the need for governance to maintain order and provide services. Different levels of government are discussed, focusing on the importance of **local governance** as the level closest to the people, particularly relevant in a large democracy like India. The chapter highlights how governance impacts citizens' daily lives and the fundamental idea of **democracy** – rule by the people, for the people, starting at the local level.
11. Grassroots Democracy — Part 2: Local Government In Rural Areas
This chapter focuses on **local self-government in rural areas** of India, known as the **Panchayati Raj system**. It describes the three tiers: the **Gram Panchayat** at the village level, the Block Samiti (or Panchayat Samiti) at the block level, and the Zila Parishad at the district level. The composition, functions (e.g., providing basic services, village development), and sources of income of Gram Panchayats are explained. This chapter highlights how citizens participate in local decision-making and governance at the village level, the foundation of democracy in rural India.
12. Grassroots Democracy — Part 3: Local Government In Urban Areas
This chapter focuses on **local self-government in urban areas** of India. It discusses the different types of urban local bodies depending on the population size, such as Municipal Panchayats (for transitional areas), **Municipalities** (for smaller urban areas), and **Municipal Corporations** (for larger cities). The chapter explains their functions, such as providing civic amenities (water supply, sanitation, roads, schools, hospitals) and their sources of income (taxes, grants). This highlights how urban residents participate in local governance and management of cities and towns in India.
13. The Value Of Work
This chapter explores the importance and dignity of **work** in human life and society. It discusses different types of work, both physical and mental, and emphasizes that all work done honestly is valuable. The concept of the **dignity of labour**, respecting all occupations regardless of perceived status, is highlighted, a crucial value in India. The chapter explains how work provides individuals with a livelihood (earning money, $\textsf{₹}$), a sense of purpose, and contributes to the overall development and progress of society. It encourages respecting all professions and contributing through one's work.
14. Economic Activities Around Us
This chapter introduces basic **economic activities** that people engage in to earn a living and satisfy their needs and wants. It broadly discusses activities related to **production** (making goods/services), **distribution** (getting goods to people), and **consumption** (using goods/services). Different sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, industry (manufacturing), and service sectors, are introduced with examples of occupations within each. Understanding these activities helps students recognize the diverse ways people work and contribute to the economy around them, generating income ($\textsf{₹}$) and wealth in India and globally.