CBSE Class 11 Geography

CBSE Class 11 Geography Syllabus and Examination Structure
 

Part A: Fundamentals of Physical Geography

Unit-1: Geography as a Discipline

• Geography as an integrating discipline, as a science of spatial attributes.
• Branches of Geography; Physical Geography and Human Geography.
• Scope and Career Options

Unit-2: The Earth

• Origin and evolution of the earth; Interior of the earth.
• Wegener's continental drift theory and plate tectonics.
• Earthquakes and volcanoes: causes, types and effects.

Unit-3: Landforms

• Rocks: major types of rocks and their characteristics.
• Landforms and their evolution.
• Geomorphic processes: weathering, mass wasting, erosion and deposition; soil-formation.

Unit 4: Climate

• Atmosphere- composition and structure; elements of weather and climate.
• Insolation-angle of incidence and distribution; heat budget of the earth-heating and cooling of atmosphere (conduction, convection, terrestrial radiation and advection); temperature- factors controlling temperature; distribution of temperature-horizontal and vertical; inversion of temperature.
• Pressure-pressure belts; winds-planetary, seasonal and local; air masses and fronts; tropical and extratropical cyclones.
• Precipitation-evaporation; condensation-dew, frost, fog, mist and cloud; rainfall-types and world distribution.
• World climates-classification (Koeppen and Thornthwaite), Global warming and climatic changes.
• Climate and Global Concerns.

Unit 5: Hydrosphere

• Basics of Oceanography
• Oceans - distribution of temperature and salinity.
• Movements of ocean water-waves, tides and currents; submarine reliefs.
• Ocean resources and pollution.

Unit 6: Biosphere

• Biosphere - importance of plants and other organisms; biodiversity and conservation; ecosystem and ecological balance.

Map work on identification of features based on 1 to 6 units on the outline/Physical/Political map of the world.

Part - B: India - Physical Environment

Unit-7: Introduction

• Location, space relations, India's place in the world.

Unit-8: Physiography 

• Structure and Relief; Physiographic Divisions.
• Drainage systems: Concept of river basins, Watershed; the Himalayan and the Peninsular rivers.

Unit-9: Climate, Vegetation and Soil

• Weather and climate - spatial and temporal distribution of temperature, pressure winds and rainfall, Indian monsoon: mechanism, onset and withdrawal, variability of rainfalls: spatial and temporal; use of weather charts; Climatic types (Koeppen).
• Natural vegetation-forest types and distribution; wild life; conservation; biosphere reserves.
• Soils - major types (ICAR's classification) and their distribution, soil degradation and conservation.

Unit-10: Hazards and Disasters: Causes, Consequences and Management

• Floods, Cloudbursts
• Droughts: types and impact
• Earthquakes and Tsunami
• Cyclones: features and impact
• Landslides

Map Work of features based on above units for locating and labelling on the Outline/Political/Physical map of India.

Part - C: Practical Work

Unit-1: Fundamentals of Maps

• Geo spatial data, Concept of Geographical data matrix; Point, line, area data.
• Maps - types; scales-types; construction of simple linear scale, measuring distance; finding direction and use of symbols.
• Map projection - Latitude, longitude and time, typology, construction and properties of projection: Conical with one standard parallel and Mercator's projection. (only two projections)

Unit 2: Topographic and Weather Maps

• Study of topographic maps (1:50,000 or 1:25,000 Survey of India maps); contour cross section and identification of landforms-slopes, hills, valleys, waterfall, cliffs; distribution of settlements.
• Aerial Photographs: Types and Geometry-vertical aerial photographs; difference between maps and aerial photographs; photo scale determination. Identification of physical and cultural features.
• Satellite imageries, stages in remote sensing data-acquisition, platform and sensors and data products, (photographic and digital).
• Use of weather instruments: thermometer, wet and dry-bulb thermometer, barometer, wind vane, rain gauge.

Unit-I: Geography as a Discipline (3 Marks)

• Chapter 1 Geography as a Discipline: Introduction to Geography as a discipline; Geography as an integrating discipline: Spatial and Temporal synthesis; Approaches to study Geography: Systematic and Regional; Branches of Geography: Physical Geography, Human Geography and Bio Geography; Physical Geography and its importance.

Note for Students: This unit provides the foundational understanding of Geography as a scientific field and explores its various branches and methodologies.

Unit-II: The Earth (9 Marks)

• Chapter 2 The Origin and Evolution of The Earth: Origin and evolution of the earth; Early theories: Origin of the Earth; Modern Theories: Origin of the universe; Formation of Stars and Planets; Evolution of the Earth: Lithosphere, Atmosphere and Hydrosphere; Origin of Life.
• Chapter 3 Interior of the Earth: Sources of Information about the Interior of the Earth (Direct and Indirect); Earthquakes: Earthquake Waves, Shadow zones, Types, Scales to measure earthquake intensity, effects, frequency of earthquake occurrences; Structure of the Earth; Volcanoes and Volcanic landforms.
• Chapter 4 Distribution of Oceans and Continents: Continental Drift Theory, and Evidence in support of Continental Drift and Force for Drift; Post Drift Studies; Ocean Floor Configuration; Distribution of Earthquakes and Volcanoes; Concept of Seafloor Spreading; Plate Tectonics: Types of Plate boundaries, Rate and forces for the Plate Movement; Movement of the Indian Plate.

Note for Students: This unit covers the geological history of our planet, including its formation, internal structure, and the movement of continents and oceans.

Unit-III: Landforms (6 Marks)

• Chapter 5 Geomorphic processes: Geomorphic processes: Exogenic and Endogenic; Endogenic Process: Diastrophism, Volcanism; Exogenic Processes Weathering, landslides; Soil: Processes and factors of Soil Formation.
• Chapter 6 Landforms and their Evolution: Running water: Erosional and Depositional Landforms; Wind: Erosional and Depositional Landforms.

Note for Students: Students will study the various internal and external forces that shape the Earth's surface and the resulting landform features.

Unit-IV: Climate (8 Marks)

• Chapter 7 Composition and Structure of Atmosphere: Atmosphere- composition and structure; elements of weather and climate.
• Chapter 8 Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature: Solar radiation: Variability of Insolation; Processes of Heating and Cooling of Atmosphere; Terrestrial Radiation; Heat budget of the earth; Temperature- Factors controlling temperature; Horizontal distribution of temperature; Inversion of temperature.
• Chapter 9 Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems: Atmospheric Pressure: Horizontal and Vertical Variation of Pressure; Forces affecting velocity and direction of Wind; General Circulation of the atmosphere: Pressure belts; Winds: Planetary, Seasonal and Local; Air masses and Fronts; Tropical and Extratropical cyclones; Thunderstorms and Tornadoes.
• Chapter 10 Water in the Atmosphere: Humidity-Absolute and Relative humidity; Evaporation and condensation-; Different Forms of Condensation: dew, frost, fog, mist and cloud; Precipitation; Types of Rainfall and world distribution of rainfall.
• Chapter 11 World Climate and Climate Change: (To be tested through internal assessments in the form of project and presentation).

Note for Students: This extensive unit explores atmospheric science, weather patterns, and the critical factors influencing global climate and climate change.

Unit-V: Water (Oceans) (4 Marks)

• Chapter 12 Water (Oceans): Hydrological Cycle; Major and Minor Relief Features of the Ocean Floor; Temperature and Salinity of Ocean Waters: Factors, Horizontal and Vertical distribution of temperature and Salinity.
• Chapter 13 Movements of Ocean Water: Movements of ocean water- Waves, Tides and Currents.

Note for Students: This unit focuses on oceanography, covering the physical properties of ocean water and the dynamics of its movements.

Unit-VI: Life on the Earth (5 Marks Map Work)

• Chapter 14 Biodiversity and Conservation: (To be tested through internal assessments in the form of project and presentation).
• Map Work: (Map items for locating and labelling only on the outline political world map).

Note for Students: While the chapter on biodiversity is for internal assessment, students must master the global map work relating to the Fundamentals of Physical Geography.

Unit-I: Introduction - India Physical Environment (5 Marks)

• Chapter 1 India — Location: Location, Size, Latitudinal and Longitudinal extent, Indian Standard time, India and its neighbours.

Note for Students: This unit defines India's geographical position in the world and its spatial relationship with neighboring countries.

Unit-II: Physiography (13 Marks)

• Chapter 2 Structure and Physiography: Physiographic Divisions: (1) The Northern and North-eastern Mountains (2) The Northern Plain (3) The Peninsular Plateau (4) The Indian Desert (5) The Coastal Plains (6) The Islands.
• Chapter 3 Drainage System: Drainage patterns; Concepts of River basin, Catchment Area, Watershed; Drainage and River systems of India: the Himalayan and the Peninsular; Extent of Usability of River Water- linking of rivers, problems in using river water and water pollution.

Note for Students: This unit provides a detailed analysis of India's physical landscape and its complex network of river systems.

Unit-III: Climate, Vegetation and Soil (12 Marks)

• Chapter 4 Climate: Weather and climate; Unity and diversity in the Monsoon Climate; Factors determining the climate of India; The Nature and characteristics on Indian Monsoon; The Rhythm of Seasons; Distribution of Rainfall; Monsoon and the Economic Life in India; Global Warming.
• Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation: Natural vegetation - Introduction; Forest types and distribution; Conservation of forests; Wildlife; conservation; biosphere reserves.

Note for Students: This unit examines the monsoon system, forest resources, and biodiversity conservation efforts within the Indian context.

Unit-IV: Natural Hazards and Disasters (5 Marks Map Work)

• Chapter 6 Natural Hazards and Disasters: (To be tested through internal assessment in the form of Projects and presentation).
• Map Work: (Map items for locating and labelling only on the outline political map of India).

Note for Students: Students are required to identify and label key geographical features and wildlife reserves on the map of India.

Geography Practical Part I (30 Marks)

• Chapter 1 Introduction to Maps: Essentials of map making; History of map making; Maps -types; Uses of maps.
• Chapter 2 Map Scale: Scales-methods and construction; Conversion of scale.
• Chapter 3 Latitude, Longitude and Time: Drawing of Parallels of latitude and Meridians of longitude; Longitude and time; International date line.
• Chapter 4 Map Projections: Map projection- typology, construction and properties of projection: Conical with one standard parallel and Mercator's projection. (only two projections).
• Chapter 5 Topographical Maps: Study of topographic maps (1 : 50,000 or 1 : 25,000 Survey of India maps); Conventional Symbols, contour cross section and identification of landforms - slopes, hills, valleys, waterfall, cliffs; distribution of settlements.
• Chapter 6 Introduction to Remote Sensing: Satellite imageries, stages in remote sensing data-acquisition, platform and sensors and data products, (photographic and digital).

Note for Students: The practical component develops essential technical skills in map reading, cartography, and modern remote sensing technology.