NCERT Class 12 Geography (India People and Economy) Chapter 4: Water Resources PDF

Water is one of the most essential natural resources for survival, but managing it has become a serious challenge in a country like India. Chapter 4 of the Class 12 Geography textbook India: People and Economy focuses on Water Resources—a topic that covers surface and groundwater availability, utilisation, major river basins, water conservation methods, and related issues like overuse and pollution. This chapter also introduces key concepts like water scarcity, watershed development, and interlinking of rivers, all of which are very important in the Indian context.

I decided to write on this topic because water is something we all depend on every single day, but most of us don’t realise how unevenly it’s distributed across India. While some areas suffer from droughts, others face floods. Students preparing for board exams, UPSC, or state-level competitive exams need to understand the basics of India’s water challenges and how we’re trying to fix them. Also, the topic links to current affairs like water disputes between states and climate change. This article gives a clear overview of the chapter and also provides a direct PDF download link from NCERT’s official site.

India’s Water Availability and Distribution

India receives around 4,000 billion cubic metres (BCM) of water annually through rainfall and snowmelt, but only 1,123 BCM is usable. Out of this, surface water contributes around 690 BCM and groundwater contributes 433 BCM. But the availability of water is not the same everywhere. States like Punjab and Haryana have higher groundwater usage, while Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu face regular water shortages.

Major river basins in India include:

Ganga
Brahmaputra
Indus
Godavari
Krishna
Narmada
Mahanadi

These rivers support a huge population and are used for drinking, irrigation, industry, and even hydroelectricity.

Utilisation of Water Resources

Water in India is mainly used for:

Irrigation (90%)
Drinking water
Industrial use
Hydropower generation
Navigation and recreation

Over time, with increasing population and urbanisation, the demand for water has gone up sharply. Unfortunately, the overuse of groundwater in states like Punjab, Gujarat, and UP has led to a drop in water tables, causing wells to dry up and agriculture to suffer.

Water Scarcity and Conservation

Water scarcity doesn’t always mean there’s no water. It can also mean:

Poor water quality
Uneven distribution
Seasonal availability

For example, Kerala receives high rainfall, but parts of it still face water shortage in summer due to poor storage systems.

Measures to tackle scarcity:

Rainwater harvesting
Watershed management
Drip and sprinkler irrigation
Check dams and percolation tanks
Water recycling in urban areas

Many government programmes like Jal Shakti Abhiyan and Atal Bhujal Yojana are also focused on saving and managing water better.

Download PDF: NCERT Class 12 Geography Chapter 4 – Water Resources

To read the full chapter officially published by NCERT, you can download the PDF using the link below:

NCERT Class 12 Geography (India People and Economy) Chapter 4: Water Resources

NCERT Class 10 Math Chapter 14: प्रायिकता PDF Download

NCERT Class 10 Math Chapter 14 प्रायिकता (Probability) introduces students to the concept of chance and likelihood of events. In this chapter, students learn how to calculate the probability of simple events using the formula P(E) = Number of favourable outcomes ÷ Total number of outcomes. The chapter deals with real-life examples like tossing a

NCERT Class 10 Math Chapter 14 प्रायिकता (Probability) introduces students to the concept of chance and likelihood of events. In this chapter, students learn how to calculate the probability of simple events using the formula P(E) = Number of favourable outcomes ÷ Total number of outcomes. The chapter deals with real-life examples like tossing a coin, rolling a dice, or drawing cards, which makes the subject more interesting and practical. Since probability questions are common in board exams and are generally considered easy, this chapter is highly important for scoring well.

I am writing about this topic because probability is not only an important part of the Class 10 syllabus but also a concept that students will use in higher studies and real life. From predicting weather conditions to calculating risks in business, probability plays a key role. Many students initially find it confusing, but NCERT presents it in a simple and easy-to-understand manner. By practising from the NCERT book, students can build a strong foundation and develop confidence in solving probability problems. Having the PDF makes it easier for learners to access the chapter anytime, revise formulas, and attempt practice questions before exams.