Geography · Chapter 1 · CBSE Board 2027
Resources and Development Class 10 important questions with answers
The 10 questions to practise first, picked from every CBSE board paper 2023–2026. Each one has the official answer and how to write it for full marks. Then try the free 10-question test.
What comes in the exam
- Resources and Development is the first chapter of Contemporary India – II.
- About half the questions are 1-mark MCQs: many give clues and ask you to identify a soil, or ask you to match columns.
- Almost every year there are 2- and 3-mark questions on land degradation and how to reduce it, on resource planning and why India needs it, and on soil conservation.
- Alluvial, black, red and laterite soils also come almost every year, mostly as MCQs.
- Sometimes a 5-mark question asks the stages of resource planning or the features of one soil.
- A case study on conserving resources comes sometimes.
Top 10 Resources and Development questions from board papers
Real CBSE questions, printed as they appeared. Open each answer to see the marking and the steps.
- Q1 MCQ · 1 mark CBSE · 2026
Land-use category that grew
In which of the following categories of 'land-use' has India registered an increase ?
- (A) Permanent pasture
- (B) Unsuitable for agriculture
- (C) Barren
- (D) Forest
Write your answer, send a photo, get it marked in DheeAnswer and marking
Correct option: (D) Forest
- Compare land use in India over time. Forest area has increased over the years, unlike pasture and barren land
- So pick the option that fits every fact you checked. (D) Forest 1 mark
Answer: (D) Forest
Marks: Correct option 1
For full marks: Remember the trend: forest area has gone up, while permanent pasture has gone down.
Where students lose marks: (A) is picked because pastures are a land-use category, but their area has decreased.
CBSE marking scheme
(D) Forest.
- Q2 MCQ · 1 mark CBSE · 2026
Identify soil from its traits
Identify the soil with the help of the following informations given in the box and choose the correct option : • It is made up of extremely fine material. • It is rich in soil nutrients. • It is ideal for growing cotton.
- (A) Alluvial Soil
- (B) Black Soil
- (C) Laterite Soil
- (D) Arid Soil
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Correct option: (B) Black Soil
- Use the cotton clue first, then check the others. Fine material, rich in nutrients, ideal for cotton ⇒ black (regur) soil
- So pick the option that fits every fact you checked. (B) Black Soil 1 mark
Answer: (B) Black Soil
Marks: Correct option 1
For full marks: Cotton is the giveaway clue for black soil, also called regur soil.
Where students lose marks: (A) is picked because alluvial soil is fertile too, but it is not the soil known for cotton.
CBSE marking scheme
(B) Black Soil
- Q3 Very short answer · 2 marks CBSE · 2025
Features of arid soils
Describe any two features of 'arid soils'.
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- Describe colour and texture first. Arid soils are red to brown in colour, generally sandy in texture and saline 1 mark
- Say what they lack and why. Due to dry climate and high temperature they lack humus and moisture 1 mark
Answer: Red to brown, sandy and saline ; lack humus and moisture
Marks: Any two points 1 each
For full marks: Write two separate features; colour and texture can go together in one.
Where students lose marks: Writing that arid soils are black or rich in humus; those features belong to other soils.
CBSE marking scheme
Any two, 1 each: red to brown in colour; generally sandy in texture and saline; in some areas salt content so high that common salt is obtained by evaporating water; dry climate, high temperature – lacks humus and moisture; lower horizons occupied by kankar (calcium increases downwards); any other relevant point.
- Q4 Very short answer · 2 marks CBSE · 2025
Ways to reduce soil erosion
Explain the measures to reduce soil erosion.
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- Give the ploughing method for slopes and what it does. Contour ploughing: ploughing along contour lines slows the flow of water down the slopes 1 mark
- Give a method for windy, flat fields. Strip cropping: strips of grass between crops break the force of the wind 1 mark
Answer: Contour ploughing ; strip cropping
Marks: Any two points 1 each
For full marks: Name the method and say in a few words how it stops erosion.
Where students lose marks: Writing causes of erosion, like ploughing up and down the slope, instead of the measures that reduce it.
CBSE marking scheme
Any two (2x1=2): contour ploughing slows water flowing down slopes; terrace cultivation restricts erosion; strip cropping – strips of grass between crops break the force of wind; shelter belts of trees; any other relevant point.
- Q5 Very short answer · 2 marks CBSE · 2025
Why plan the use of resources
"Planning is the widely accepted strategy for judicious use of resources." Explain the statement.
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- Say why planning matters in India in particular. Planning is important in a country like India, which has enormous diversity in the availability of resources 1 mark
- Say what planning does about this uneven spread. Regions rich in some resources lack others, so planning helps balanced distribution at national, state and regional levels 1 mark
Answer: Enormous diversity of resources ; balanced planning across levels
Marks: Any two points 1 each
For full marks: Explain the statement in two linked points: the uneven spread, then what planning does.
Where students lose marks: Only repeating the statement in different words without saying why planning is needed.
CBSE marking scheme
Any two (2x1=2): planning matters for a country with enormous diversity in availability of resources; regions rich in some resources are deficient in others; planning helps balanced distribution at national, state and regional levels; it helps sustainable development; any other relevant point.
- Q6 Very short answer · 2 marks CBSE · 2024
Ways to stop land degradation
Suggest any two ways to solve the problem of land degradation.
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- Give the measure that brings back plant cover. Afforestation and proper management of grazing 1 mark
- Give a measure for land damaged by mining and factories. Control of mining activities and proper treatment and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes 1 mark
Answer: Afforestation and grazing management ; control of mining and industrial waste
Marks: Any two points 1 each
For full marks: "Suggest" asks for measures, so write what to do, each as a separate point.
Where students lose marks: Writing causes of land degradation, like overgrazing or mining, instead of the measures to control them.
CBSE marking scheme
Any two (2×1): afforestation and proper management of grazing; shelter belts, control of overgrazing, stabilising sand dunes with thorny bushes (arid areas); proper management of waste lands; control of mining; proper treatment and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes; any other point.
- Q7 Short answer · 3 marks CBSE · 2025
Keep Rinjha's soil fertile
Read the story of Rinjha and answer the question that follows : Story of Rinjha Rinjha lived with her family in a small village at the outskirts of Diphu in Assam. She enjoys watching her family members clearing, slashing and burning a patch of land for cultivation. She often helps them in irrigating the fields with water running through a bamboo canal from the nearby spring. She loves the surroundings and wants to stay here as long as she can, but this little girl has no idea about the declining fertility of the soil and her family's search for a fresh patch of land in the next season. Suggest any three measures to Rinjha so that the fertility of the soil of her fields remains intact for a long time.
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- Suggest changing crops each season so the same nutrients are not used up. Practise crop rotation instead of growing the same crop on the land 1 mark
- Suggest a natural way to feed the soil. Use manure to keep the soil fertile 1 mark
- Suggest crops that add nutrients back to the soil. Grow leguminous crops, which add nitrogen to the soil 1 mark
Answer: Crop rotation ; manure ; leguminous crops
Marks: Any three points 1 each
For full marks: Read the story first: the problem is falling soil fertility, so each measure must restore or keep fertility.
Where students lose marks: Suggesting she clear a fresh patch of land each season; that shifting cultivation is what lowers the soil's fertility in the story.
CBSE marking scheme
Any three (3x1): use of crop rotation; use of manure; growing leguminous crops; managing pests and plant diseases; any other relevant point.
- Q8 Case study · 4 marks CBSE · 2024
Case: Conservation source
Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : Conservation of Resources At the international level, the Club of Rome advocated resource conservation for the first time in a more systematic way in 1968. Subsequently, in 1974, Gandhian philosophy was once again presented by Schumacher in his book Small is Beautiful. The seminal contribution with respect to resource conservation at the global level was made by the Brundtland Commission Report, 1987. This report introduced the concept of ‘Sustainable Development’ and advocated it as a means for resource conservation, which was subsequently published in a book entitled Our Common Future. Another significant contribution was made at the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. (35.1) Explain the meaning of sustainable development. (1) (35.2) In which international conference was ‘Agenda-21’ accepted ? (1) (35.3) Explain any two outcomes of the Summit. (2×1=2)
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- (35.1) Give the meaning in two parts: the environment and future generations. Development should take place without damaging the environment and should not compromise the needs of future generations 1 mark
- (35.2) Name the 1992 summit from the source. Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992 1 mark
- (35.3) Name the agreement adopted and what it aims at. Agenda 21 was adopted: global co-operation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities 1 mark
- Give a second outcome about what leaders signed. Leaders signed the Declaration on Global Climatic Change and Biological Diversity and endorsed the Forest Principles 1 mark
Answer: 35.1 Development without harming the environment or future needs ; 35.2 Rio Earth Summit 1992 ; 35.3 Agenda 21, climate and biodiversity declaration
Marks: (35.1) 1 · (35.2) 1 · (35.3) Any two points 1 each
For full marks: 35.1 needs both halves of the meaning: no harm to the environment and no harm to future generations.
Where students lose marks: In 35.2 writing the Brundtland Commission or 1987; Agenda 21 was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit, 1992.
CBSE marking scheme
(35.1) Development should take place without damaging the environment, and development in the present should not compromise the needs of future generations (1). (35.2) Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992 (1). (35.3) Any two (1+1): global cooperation on common interests; mutual needs; shared responsibilities; creation of the Commission on Sustainable Development; any other relevant point.
- Q9 Case study · 4 marks CBSE · 2024
Case: Gandhiji on need and greed
Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : Conservation of Resources : Resources are vital for any developmental activity. But irrational consumption and over-utilisation of resources may lead to socio-economic and environmental problems. To overcome these problems, resource conservation at various levels is important. This had been the main concern of the leaders and thinkers in the past. For example, Gandhiji was very apt in voicing his concern about resource conservation in these words: “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for any body’s greed.” He placed the greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modern technology as the root cause for resource depletion at the global level. He was against mass production and wanted to replace it with the production by the masses. (35.1) Define the term ‘Resource Planning’. (1) (35.2) Explain the need for conservation of resources. (1) (35.3) Why did Gandhiji say – “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for any body’s greed ?” Analyse any two reasons. (2)
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- (35.1) Give the book's opening line on what resource planning involves. Resource planning is a complex process involving identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country 1 mark
- (35.2) Take the reason from the source's second sentence. Irrational consumption and over-utilisation of resources may lead to socio-economic and environmental problems 1 mark
- (35.3) Give the first reason Gandhiji saw for depletion. He saw greedy and selfish individuals as a root cause of resource depletion 1 mark
- Add his view on how goods are made. He blamed the exploitative nature of modern technology and was against mass production, wanting production by the masses 1 mark
Answer: (35.1) Identification and inventory of resources across regions ; (35.2) over-use causes socio-economic and environmental problems ; (35.3) greed of individuals ; exploitative technology, mass production
Marks: (35.1) 1 · (35.2) 1 · (35.3) Two reasons 1 each
For full marks: Each answer is in the source; for (35.3) write two separate reasons, one line each.
Where students lose marks: Defining resource conservation instead of resource planning in (35.1).
CBSE marking scheme
(35.1) Resource planning is a complex process involving identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country (1). (35.2) Irrational consumption and over-utilisation of resources may lead to socio-economic and environmental problems (1). (35.3) Any two (1+1): he saw greedy, selfish individuals and the exploitative nature of modern technology as the root cause of resource depletion; he was against mass production and wanted production by the masses; any other relevant point.
- Q10 Long answer · 5 marks CBSE · 2025
Stages and need of planning
Explain the various stages of resource planning and its need in India. (3+2=5)
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- Stage one: say how resources are first found and counted. Identification and inventory of resources across regions by surveying, mapping and qualitative and quantitative estimation 1 mark
- Stage two: say what structure is needed to carry out plans. Evolving a planning structure with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set-up 1 mark
- Stage three: link resource plans to the country's plans. Matching resource development plans with overall national development plans 1 mark
- Now the need: say why India in particular must plan. Resources are unevenly distributed in India; some regions are rich in some resources and deficient in others 1 mark
- Give the second need: what development requires besides resources. Resources need technology and quality human resources to be developed 1 mark
Answer: Inventory of resources ; planning structure ; match with national plans ; uneven distribution ; technology and human resources needed
Marks: Assessed as a whole 5
For full marks: Write the three stages in order, then two needs. The answer is marked as a whole.
Where students lose marks: Writing only the stages and leaving out why India needs planning; the question asks for both.
CBSE marking scheme
Stages, any three (3): identification and inventory of resources across regions (surveying, mapping, qualitative and quantitative estimation); evolving a planning structure with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set-up; matching resource development plans with overall national development plans; any other relevant point. Need in India, any two (2): resources are essential for development; technology and quality human resources are prerequisites; uneven distribution of resources; any other relevant point. To be assessed as a whole.
Free 10-question test: Resources and Development
MCQ and Assertion–Reason questions from CBSE papers. About 10 minutes. Your score shows straight away.
Common mistakes in Resources and Development
Mistake Writing a cause as a measure, or mixing up the measures for soil erosion and for land degradation.
Fix For soil erosion, write the book's four methods: contour ploughing, terrace cultivation, strip cropping and shelter belts. For land degradation, write afforestation, control of overgrazing, control of mining and treating industrial waste before disposal. Overgrazing is a cause, not a measure.
Mistake Giving only the name of a measure or a factor when the question says 'explain'.
Fix Add one line on how it works. For example: 'Contour ploughing: ploughing along the contour lines slows the flow of water down the slope.' Each such point earns 1 mark.
Mistake Answering 'support with an example from India' with general points only.
Fix Name a real region from the book. For example: Rajasthan has plenty of solar and wind energy but lacks water; Arunachal Pradesh has plenty of water but lacks infrastructure. Then say why this needs balanced planning.
Mistake Writing only the three stages in the 5-mark resource planning question.
Fix The question is 3 + 2. Write the three stages (identify and list resources, make a planning structure, match with national plans), then two points on why India needs planning.
Mistake Confusing the soils in clue-based MCQs.
Fix Learn one key clue for each soil. Black soil comes from lava rocks and holds moisture. Laterite forms by leaching in heavy rain. Arid soil is sandy and salty, with kankar below. Alluvial soil is brought by rivers.
Mistake Mixing up Bangar and Khadar.
Fix Bangar is old alluvium and has more kankar nodules. Khadar is new alluvium; it has finer particles and is more fertile.
How to write for full marks
- Count the points the question asks for ('any three' means three) and write each as a separate numbered point: a short heading, then one line of explanation.
- Keep to the word limits printed on the paper: 2 marks in about 40 words, 3 marks in about 60, 5 marks in about 120.
- For a 'difference' question, write each point as a pair, both sides in one line: 'Renewable resources …; non-renewable resources …'.
- For a 3 + 2 question, write the two parts under two labels, so the examiner finds both.
- In a clue MCQ, mark the clue words in the box (lava, cotton, leaching, kankar) before you choose the soil.
Questions students ask
Which Resources and Development questions are most important for the Class 10 board exam 2027?
Expect soil MCQs, 2- and 3-mark answers on land degradation, resource planning and soil conservation, and sometimes a 5-mark question. The 10 questions on this page are real CBSE board questions from 2023–2026, chosen across the chapter's topics and question types.
How many marks does Resources and Development carry in the Class 10 board exam?
Resources and Development is part of the Geography (Contemporary India – II) unit, which carries 2 of the 80 theory marks in the CBSE Class 10 Social Science paper.
Are these real CBSE previous year questions?
Yes. Each question is printed as it appeared in a CBSE board paper or sample paper, with its source, and the answer follows CBSE's official marking scheme.
All Class 10 Social Science chapters
Questions and answers: CBSE board papers, sample papers and official marking schemes, 2023–2026. Worked steps and tips: Dhee.