CBSE Syllabus for Class 7 Social Science
In Class VII, Social Science is a subject that connects the three main dots of Humanities — History, Geography, and Civics. It helps us understand the society we live in, the past that shaped it, and the geography that affects our daily lives.
The CBSE Syllabus for Class 7 Social Science forms the base for this interconnection of branches. So, if you are a student, teacher or parent, here you can find a well-structured and clear syllabus for this important subject, along with some trusted tips to score well in the term-end exam.
1.0CBSE Syllabus for Class 7 Social Science: An Overview
The CBSE Syllabus for Class 7 Social Science is divided into three major subjects of humanities, namely:
- History — Our Pasts II
- Geography — Our Environment
- Civics — Social and Political Life II
Each subject is designed to connect students with how society functions, how the past influences the present, and how geography affects life. The students are evaluated based on two term-end examinations, each with a weightage of 80 marks and internal assessments that carry a total of 20 marks.
Tip: Keep in touch with the official website of the Central Board of Secondary Education to stay up-to-date regarding the latest syllabus of Class VII.
2.0Term-Wise Class 7 CBSE SST Syllabus
3.0Detailed CBSE Class 7 Social Science Syllabus
The CBSE Class 7 Social Science syllabus is comprehensive, covering three main branches: History (Our Pasts II), Geography (Our Environment), and Political Science/Civics (Social and Political Life II). Here's a detailed breakdown of the chapters typically included in each section:
I. History (Our Pasts II)
This section focuses on the history of medieval India, from roughly 700 CE to 1750 CE.
Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years:
Introduction to the period and sources of historical information.
Development of historical terms and concepts.
Major developments and changes in the subcontinent.
New Kings and Kingdoms:
Emergence of new dynasties and kingdoms in different parts of India.
Administration and economy of these kingdoms.
Warfare and expansion.
The Delhi Sultans:
Establishment and expansion of the Delhi Sultanate.
Key rulers and their administrative policies (e.g., Razia Sultan, Alauddin Khalji, Muhammad Tughlaq).
Impact of the Sultanate on society, culture, and architecture.
The Mughal Empire:
Establishment and consolidation of the Mughal Empire.
Major Mughal emperors (Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb).
Mughal administration, revenue system, and architecture.
Decline of the Mughal Empire.
Tribes, Nomads, and Settled Communities:
Understanding the lives and social structures of tribal and nomadic communities.
Interaction between tribal societies and settled agricultural societies.
Examples of major tribal groups.
Devotional Paths to the Divine:
Rise and spread of Bhakti and Sufi movements.
Key saints and their teachings (e.g., Shankaracharya, Ramanuja, Basavanna, Guru Nanak, Kabir, Mirabai).
Impact of these movements on social and religious life.
The Making of Regional Cultures:
Development of distinct regional languages, literature, art, and dance forms.
Interaction and influence of different cultural traditions.
Examples of regional kingdoms and their cultural contributions.
Eighteenth-Century Political Formations:
Decline of the Mughal Empire and the emergence of independent regional states.
Rise of new political groups like the Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, and regional kingdoms.
Changes in the political landscape of the 18th century.
II. Geography (Our Environment)
This section explores various aspects of the Earth's environment, including its physical features, natural processes, and human interactions.
Environment:
Components of the environment (natural, human-made, human).
Ecosystems and their interactions.
Impact of human activities on the environment.
Inside Our Earth:
Structure of the Earth (crust, mantle, core).
Types of rocks and minerals (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic).
Rock cycle.
Our Changing Earth:
Endogenic and exogenic forces.
Plate tectonics and movement of continents.
Earthquakes, volcanoes, and major landforms (mountains, plateaus, plains).
Air:
Composition and structure of the atmosphere.
Weather and climate elements (temperature, pressure, wind, moisture).
Greenhouse effect and global warming.
Water:
Water cycle.
Distribution of water on Earth (oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers).
Ocean currents, tides, and waves.
Water conservation.
Human-Environment Interactions: The Tropical and the Subtropical Region:
Life in the Amazon Basin.
Life in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin.
Human adaptation to natural environments in these regions.
Life in the Deserts:
Life in hot deserts (e.g., Sahara, Thar).
Life in cold deserts (e.g., Ladakh).
Adaptations of plants, animals, and humans to desert conditions.
III. Political Science / Civics (Social and Political Life II)
This section focuses on the principles of democracy, governance, and social issues in India.
On Equality:
Understanding equality in a democracy.
Universal adult franchise.
Challenges to equality and struggle for dignity.
Role of the Government in Health:
Public and private healthcare services.
Health for all: a challenge.
Government's role in providing healthcare.
How the State Government Works:
Structure and functioning of the state government (Legislative Assembly, Executive).
Role of MLAs, Chief Minister, and other ministers.
Decision-making process at the state level.
Growing Up as Boys and Girls:
Gender roles and stereotypes.
Discrimination based on gender.
Challenging gender inequality.
Women Change the World:
Breaking stereotypes and challenging discrimination.
Women's movements and their contributions to social change.
Role of education in empowering women.
Understanding Media:
Role of media in a democracy.
Types of media (print, electronic, social media).
Media and public opinion, censorship, and accountability.
Markets Around Us:
Different types of markets (weekly market, shopping complex, mall).
Chain of markets.
Exploitation in markets and fair trade.
A Shirt in the Market:
A case study illustrating the chain of production and trade from cotton cultivation to shirt sale.
Understanding the roles of various people involved in the market.
4.0Map Work:
Apart from the theoretical part of these books, the CBSE Syllabus for Class 7 Social Science also includes some map work. This map work includes plotting, labelling and identifying various locations of geographical and historical importance. The syllabus for the map work includes:
5.0Internal Assessment
Internal Assessments are activities conducted over the academic session to evaluate the overall performance of a student in the classroom. They carry a total of 20 marks of four types of assessment, with 5 marks each, the syllabus for which includes:
6.0Study Resources for Class 7 Social Science
Social Science is a subject that demands more than just reading — it requires sheer understanding, memory and retention, all of which may be difficult to achieve with just textbooks. This is where additional study resources step in. So, let’s explore some of the most famous study aids of class 7 social science:
- Class Notes & School Worksheets: Class explanation-based notes tend to emphasise probable exam questions and break down difficult concepts.
- Reference Books: Oswaal or Together With Social Science books offer additional questions, summaries, and model papers to solidify learning.
- NCERT Exemplar: Although not subject-specific in this case, exemplar-type questions can be employed by teachers to conduct concept-based assessments and higher-order thinking.
- Mind Maps for History and Civics: These are useful for connecting rulers, reforms, and political ideas. Prepare pictorial overviews of events and concepts for rapid revision.
- Map Practice for Geography and History: Employ outline maps to identify rivers, deserts, mountain ranges, and significant sites of history. This develops memory and spatial awareness.
- Civics Concept Cards: Prepare flashcards using terms such as rights, constitution, parliament, or markets to understand them clearly.
- Timeline Charts: It is easier to recall dynasties, battles, reforms, and political changes through visual timelines of history chapters.
- Sample Papers and Class Tests: Take school-provided tests and other mock papers to evaluate your preparedness and writing speed.
- Watching Educational Documentaries: View videos on historical landmarks, environmental developments, and social mechanisms to establish real-life links to textbook concepts.
- Online Labs and Interactive Tools: Use virtual simulations for geographical concepts such as climate regions, landforms, and ecosystems.
7.0Best Prep Tips for Your Exam
- Begin early to prepare in order to have sufficient time for several revisions before the exam.
- Highlight key dates, definitions, and acts in your notes using highlighters and colour codes.
- Prepare a visual timeline of landmark historical events to enhance chronological learning.
- Revisit key terms in Civics, such as democracy, constitution, and equality, on flashcards.
- Practice map-based questions every week—both physical and political maps.
- Summarise chapters in your own words upon reading to increase retention and comprehension.
- Attempt sample papers and worksheets under timed conditions to replicate the exam.
- Don't ignore in-text and end-of-chapter questions—they tend to become the foundation for test items.
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