ICSE Class 10 Geography: Climate of India — Important Questions with Answers 2026

Short Answer Questions (2-3 Marks)

• Q: Describe the factors affecting the climate of India.
  Ans: Factors: (1) Latitude — Tropic of Cancer divides India into tropical (south) and subtropical (north). (2) Altitude — temperature decreases with height (6.5°C per 1000 m). (3) Distance from sea — coastal areas have moderate climate (maritime), inland areas have extreme (continental). (4) Himalayas — block cold Central Asian winds, trap monsoon winds. (5) Monsoon winds — seasonal reversal determines India's rainfall pattern. (6) Jet streams and Western disturbances.
• Q: Explain the mechanism of the Indian monsoon.
  Ans: The Indian monsoon is caused by differential heating of land and sea. Summer (June-September): Land heats faster, creating low pressure over northern plains. High pressure over Indian Ocean. Moisture-laden winds blow from sea to land (SW monsoon). Two branches: Arabian Sea branch (hits Western Ghats first) and Bay of Bengal branch (hits NE India). Winter (October-February): Land cools faster, high pressure over land. Winds blow from land to sea (NE monsoon). Brings rainfall to Tamil Nadu coast.
• Q: What are Western Disturbances? How do they affect India?
  Ans: Western Disturbances are extra-tropical storms originating in the Mediterranean Sea that travel eastward across West Asia and reach northern India during winter (December-February). Effects: They bring winter rainfall to Punjab, Haryana, and northern plains. This rainfall (called Mahawat) is crucial for Rabi crops like wheat. They also cause snowfall in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

Exam Tips for This Chapter

• Revise all definitions and laws from Climate of India — they are commonly asked as 1-2 mark questions
• Practice diagrams related to Climate of India — neat labelled diagrams carry 2-3 marks
• For numericals, always show formula → substitution → answer with correct units
• Previous year analysis shows Climate of India carries 8-12 marks in the board exam