Climates of India Class 7 Social Science Chapter 3 CBSE Notes 2025-26

India is known for its remarkable diversity, and this is reflected in its climate as well. The term ‘climate’ refers to the long-term weather patterns of a place, which differ greatly from region to region in India. 

While weather is what we experience day-to-day—such as rainfall, sunshine, or wind—climate describes these patterns over several decades. 

Seasons like spring, summer, monsoon, autumn, and winter occur in a regular cycle each year and are closely linked to both the weather and the climate of a place. In many parts of India, these are further divided into six traditional seasons, called ṛitus, each associated with specific festivals and rituals.

The Relationship between Life and Seasons The rhythm of daily life, including agriculture, clothing, and food choices, is shaped by the changing seasons. Crops are sown and harvested depending on the weather, animals adapt by growing thicker fur in winter, and trees may bloom, shed leaves, or change color depending on the time of year. 

While the general climate of a place stays the same over long stretches of time, recent observations have shown changes—many resulting from human activities.

Types of Climates Found in India Due to its large size and varied geography, India experiences many types of climates across its regions:

• The north has an alpine climate in the Himalayan mountains with cold, snowy winters and cool summers.
• Lower Himalayas and hilly regions are temperate, experiencing moderate winters and warm summers—these areas are home to famous hill stations.
• The northern plains, such as Uttar Pradesh, have a subtropical climate, with very hot summers and cold winters.
• Western India, especially the Thar Desert, is arid, with extremely hot days, cool nights and little rainfall.
• Western coastal regions have a tropical wet climate, with heavy monsoon rains—ideal for growing rice and spices.
• The Deccan Plateau has a semi-arid climate, with hot summers, pleasant winters, and modest monsoon rains.
• Eastern India and the southern peninsula experience a tropical climate with mild winters and distinctive wet and dry periods, influenced by monsoons.

Main Factors that Affect Climate Different climatic zones in India are shaped by a combination of global, regional, and local factors:

• Latitude: The closer a place is to the Equator (low latitude), the warmer it stays. High latitudes, farther from the Equator, experience cooler climates. For instance, Kanniyakumari is hot almost all year, while Srinagar is much cooler.
• Altitude: Higher elevations, like Ooty or Shimla, are cooler than the plains at the same latitude because temperature drops as we go higher above sea level.
• Proximity to the Sea: Coastal areas, such as Mumbai, have moderate temperatures with smaller differences between summer and winter, while cities far from the sea, such as Nagpur, experience more extreme temperatures.
• Winds: Winds move air masses that can be warm, cold, dry, or moist. They influence both temperature and precipitation. For example, dry winds from the west in summer make certain states hotter, while moisture-laden winds from the sea bring rainfall.
• Topography: Physical features such as mountains and valleys also shape climate. The Himalayas block cold winds from Central Asia and the Western Ghats affect how monsoon rain is distributed.

Understanding Microclimates A microclimate refers to the small-scale climate in a specific area that differs from its wider surroundings—like a valley or a city. For example, urban areas might be warmer than the countryside nearby, a phenomenon known as an ‘urban heat island’.

The Indian Monsoons Monsoon is the most distinctive feature of India’s climate. The word ‘monsoon’ comes from the Arabic word for ‘season’. Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring rain. 

During summer, land heats up faster than the sea, creating low pressure over the land. Wind carrying moisture moves from the ocean towards the land, causing heavy rainfall across India from June to mid-July. In winter, the direction reverses, bringing dry winds from land to the sea; however, parts of eastern and southern India get winter rain because the winds pick up moisture over the Bay of Bengal.

Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the highest average rainfall in the world. Monsoons have inspired classical music compositions as well as traditional knowledge. Farmers and communities often predict rains by observing plants and animal behaviors, like the blossoming of the Golden Shower tree in the south or the nesting pattern of crows.

Climate and Indian Culture The Indian climate shapes local culture and traditions. Many Indian festivals are linked to seasons and agriculture, such as Bihu, Makar Sankranti, and Pongal. 

Climate also affects the economy—when rains fail, agriculture suffers, food prices rise, and farmers may be forced to migrate. Thus, people’s livelihoods are directly connected to climate patterns.

Disasters Related to Climate India’s climate makes it prone to natural disasters:

• Cyclones—mainly on the east coast—cause extensive damage and flooding.
• Floods—caused by heavy rains, overflowing rivers, or glacial lake bursts—impact millions of people.
• Landslides—often during the monsoon—hit hilly areas like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
• Forest fires—triggered by dryness or human carelessness—destroy forests and wildlife.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is specially trained for rescue and relief during such events.

Climate Change and Its Effects While climate has changed naturally over thousands of years, in recent decades, human activities such as burning fossil fuels and cutting forests have caused increased levels of carbon dioxide in the air. 

This traps more heat (the ‘greenhouse effect’) and leads to global warming. The result is more frequent weather extremes—such as hotter summers, shorter or milder winters, and unpredictable rains. 

This affects agriculture, water supply, health, and the overall economy. Mitigation means taking steps like reducing pollution, using renewable energy, and planting trees. The goal is to build resilience and ensure sustainable development, even if it sometimes conflicts with economic growth.

Key Points to Remember

• India’s climate ranges from alpine to tropical, due to differences in latitude, altitude, location near the sea, winds, and physical features.
• Weather is the daily condition; climate is the average pattern over decades.
• Monsoons deeply influence agriculture, economy, and culture.
• Natural disasters—cyclones, floods, landslides, and forest fires—are common, and understanding climatic factors helps in preparation.
• Climate change, much of it caused by human activities, is leading to more unpredictable and extreme weather.

Class 7 Social Science Chapter 3 Notes – Climates of India: Quick and Complete Revision

These Class 7 Social Science Chapter 3 notes on Climates of India provide clear and concise revision of all key topics for students. Understanding different climate regions, the importance of monsoons, and disaster awareness are made easy for exam preparation. Get the main points on factors affecting climate and India’s diversity in one place.

Revise with well-organised pointers on Indian monsoons, climate types, and related disasters with these chapter notes. Useful for quick recap, these notes can help you understand how weather, seasons, and climate impact lifestyles in India—supporting both school exams and overall knowledge.