NCERT Class 12 Geography (Fundamental of Human Geography) Chapter 5: Secondary Activities – Notes, Concepts and Free PDF Download

Chapter 5 of the NCERT Class 12 Geography (Fundamentals of Human Geography) textbook covers “Secondary Activities”, which deal with industries and manufacturing. These activities involve processing raw materials (from primary activities) into usable products. Whether it’s turning cotton into cloth, or iron ore into steel – these all fall under secondary activities. The chapter talks

I chose to write on this topic because many students think industries are just factories, but there’s much more to it. Understanding how industries work, where they are located, and how they grow is key to understanding any country’s economic development. In exams like UPSC, questions on industrial belts, planning, and environmental impacts are quite common. And in real life too, industries affect migration, urbanisation and even global trade. That’s why this chapter is important not just for scoring marks but also for building awareness about how economies are shaped.

What Are Secondary Activities?

Secondary activities are economic activities that involve manufacturing and processing of natural resources. These convert raw materials into finished or semi-finished goods.

For example:

Wheat (primary) → Bread (secondary)
Cotton (primary) → Fabric (secondary)

Key Features

Use raw materials from primary sector
Add value to resources
Create employment and income
Often linked with urbanisation

Types of Secondary Activities

The chapter breaks down secondary activities into various industrial sectors.

1. Manufacturing Industry

These include factories that produce goods for domestic or international markets.

Types of Manufacturing Industries

Type	Description	Examples
Cottage Industry	Small scale, often home-based	Handloom weaving in India
Small-Scale Industry	Limited capital and labour	Soap making, toys
Large-Scale Industry	Big investment, machinery-based	Automobile, steel plants
Heavy Industry	Involves large machines and big infrastructure	Shipbuilding, steel
Light Industry	Makes consumer goods	Electronics, garments

2. Processing Industry

Involves converting raw food items into packaged products. Example: Dairy, Sugar Mills, Food Processing Plants.

3. Construction Industry

This includes building infrastructure – roads, bridges, buildings. It’s a major employer in developing countries like India.

Download PDF: NCERT Class 12 Geography Chapter 5 – Secondary Activities

You can download the full official PDF of this chapter from here:

NCERT Class 12 Geography (Fundamental of Human Geography) Chapter 5: Secondary Activities

NCERT Class 12 Geography (Fundamental of Human Geography) Chapter 8: International Trade – Free PDF Download and Full Chapter Summary

Chapter 8 of the NCERT Class 12 Geography (Fundamentals of Human Geography) book focuses on International Trade, which is one of the most crucial aspects of a country’s economic and political relations. This chapter explains how countries exchange goods and services across borders, the patterns of trade, the role of organisations like WTO, and India’s

Chapter 8 of the NCERT Class 12 Geography (Fundamentals of Human Geography) book focuses on International Trade, which is one of the most crucial aspects of a country’s economic and political relations. This chapter explains how countries exchange goods and services across borders, the patterns of trade, the role of organisations like WTO, and India’s position in the global trade network. It also talks about different trade routes, major exports and imports, and recent changes in global trade systems.

I chose to write about this chapter because it helps students understand not just bookish definitions but also how the world’s economies are connected. In today’s time, when prices of onions in India are affected by export bans or crude oil rates are driven by international conflicts, this chapter becomes very relatable. I strongly believe students should learn how international decisions impact their own country’s economy. Whether someone is preparing for board exams or competitive ones like UPSC, understanding the basics of trade is a must. That’s why I’ve included a PDF download link also, so students can directly study from the source material.

What is International Trade?

International trade refers to the exchange of goods and services between countries. It helps nations earn foreign exchange, create jobs, and promote economic growth.

There are two main types:

Bilateral Trade: Between two countries (e.g., India and Bangladesh)
Multilateral Trade: Involves many countries (e.g., through WTO)

This chapter also discusses the difference between free trade and protectionism. While free trade supports open markets, protectionism involves tariffs and restrictions to protect domestic industries.

Importance of International Trade

Helps countries get access to goods they cannot produce locally
Promotes cooperation among nations
Brings in foreign exchange
Boosts industrial and agricultural sectors

Major Trade Routes and Patterns

Trade routes are the paths through which goods travel across the globe. These can be land, sea or air routes.

Major Sea Routes

North Atlantic Route (between North America and Europe)
Suez Canal Route (connecting Europe to Asia)
Cape of Good Hope Route (used when Suez Canal is blocked)

Factors Affecting Trade Routes

Physical barriers like mountains and deserts
Political relations between countries
Development of transport and communication

India’s Role in Global Trade

India plays a growing role in world trade, especially in services and IT. The chapter highlights:

India exports textiles, gems and jewellery, software, petroleum products
Imports include crude oil, gold, machinery, electronics
India’s trade partners: USA, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and European countries

The chapter also explains government initiatives like:

Make in India
Foreign Trade Policy
Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

These are designed to increase India’s share in international trade.

Role of International Organisations

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an important part of the chapter. It regulates international trade laws and resolves trade disputes. The chapter explains the pros and cons of WTO’s role in developing nations like India.