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Maharashtra HSC Geography Board Paper March 2026 with Answers

Written board papers. Physics and Chemistry: 70 marks, 3 hours. Mathematics & Statistics: 80 marks, 3 hours.

2026, March 180 minutes 80 marks Save WhatsApp

Sections

Q.1 (A) Complete the chain (5 marks) 5 questions
Q.1 (B) Choose the correct option and complete the sentences (5 marks) 5 questions
Q.1 (C) Answer as per instructions (5 marks) 5 questions
Q.1 (D) Write True or False (5 marks) 5 questions
Q.2 Give geographical reasons, any four (12 marks) 6 questions
Q.3 Differentiate between, any three (9 marks) 5 questions
Q.4 (A) Mark and name on the world outline map, any six (6 marks) 8 questions
Q.4 (B) Observe the pie-chart and answer (5 marks) 1 questions
Q.5 Write notes, any three (12 marks) 5 questions
Q.6 (A) Read the passage and answer (4 marks) 1 questions
Q.6 (B) Draw neat, labelled diagrams, any two (4 marks) 3 questions
Q.7 Answer in detail, any one (8 marks) 2 questions

About this paper

This is the Maharashtra State Board (MSBSHSE) HSC (Class 12) Geography (39) board paper of the February–March 2026 examination. The paper code printed on the question paper is J-270. The questions are transcribed from the board's own printed question paper published on its website; the world map exercise and the pie-chart are described in words and tables. The answers are original answers written by Doubtly, not the board's official model answers.

Paper pattern

Maximum marks 80, time 3 hours, seven questions, all compulsory. Q.1 (20 marks) has four objective parts: (A) complete the chain, (B) choose the correct option, (C) answer as per instructions and (D) true or false, 5 marks each. Q.2 asks for geographical reasons (any four of six, 12 marks). Q.3 asks for differences (any three of five, 9 marks). Q.4 has (A) marking on the outline map of the world (any six of eight, 6 marks) and (B) a pie-chart on world population distribution (5 marks). Q.5 asks for notes (any three of five, 12 marks). Q.6 has (A) a passage on ancient Greek cities (4 marks) and (B) labelled diagrams (any two of three, 4 marks). Q.7 is a long answer (any one of two, 8 marks). Colour pencils and map stencils are allowed, and the map supplement must be tied to the answer sheet.

How to use it

Attempt the paper in one 3-hour sitting, practise the map work on a world outline map, then compare your answers point by point with the model answers.

Chapters covered

Instructions

Solve on paper with a timer, then check against the solutions. Sections: A (MCQ and very short answers), B (short answers, attempt any 8 of 12), C (attempt any 8 of 12), D (long answers with choice).

Q.1 (A) Complete the chain (5 marks)

  1. Q.1 (A) (1) Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C': Making maps

    No.'A''B''C'
    (1)Making maps(a) Delhi(l) Niger
    (2)Administrative cities(b) Pampas(m) Small-Scale Industry
    (3)Grass-Land Region(c) Observation(n) Skills of Geographer
    (4)Toys(d) Bangladesh(o) New York
    (5)Population Explosion(e) Paper Industry(p) Argentina
    1 mark See answer →

  2. Q.1 (A) (2) Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C': Administrative cities

    1 mark See answer →

  3. Q.1 (A) (3) Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C': Grass-Land Region

    1 mark See answer →

  4. Q.1 (A) (4) Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C': Toys

    1 mark See answer →

  5. Q.1 (A) (5) Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C': Population Explosion

    1 mark See answer →

Q.1 (B) Choose the correct option and complete the sentences (5 marks)

  1. Q.1 (B) (1) Tertiary activities include –

    1. (A) Fishing
    2. (B) Sugar Industry
    3. (C) Animal Husbandry
    4. (D) Trade
    1 mark See answer →

  2. Q.1 (B) (2) Human factors affecting the distribution of population –

    1. (A) Climate
    2. (B) Soils
    3. (C) Transportation
    4. (D) Relief
    1 mark See answer →

  3. Q.1 (B) (3) A major crop of extensive commercial agriculture –

    1. (A) coffee
    2. (B) wheat
    3. (C) rice
    4. (D) medicinal plants
    1 mark See answer →

  4. Q.1 (B) (4) Functional region –

    1. (A) Pune Metropolitan
    2. (B) Latur
    3. (C) Satara
    4. (D) Amravati
    1 mark See answer →

  5. Q.1 (B) (5) Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited is ______ type of establishment.

    1. (A) Joint Sector
    2. (B) Co-operative Sector
    3. (C) Public Sector
    4. (D) Private Sector
    1 mark See answer →

Q.1 (C) Answer as per instructions (5 marks)

  1. Q.1 (C) (1) Arrange the following industries in descending order based on capital investments –

    (a) Small scale industry
    (b) Micro scale industry
    (c) Large scale industry
    (d) Medium scale industry

    1 mark See answer →

  2. Q.1 (C) (2) Identify the incorrect factor –

    1. (A) Research
    2. (B) Training
    3. (C) Hunting
    4. (D) Teaching
    1 mark See answer →

  3. Q.1 (C) (3) Arrange the countries on the basis of their location from West to East –

    (a) France
    (b) India
    (c) Japan
    (d) U.S.A.

    1 mark See answer →

  4. Q.1 (C) (4) Identify a country passing through the 'late expanding stage' of Demographic Transition Model / Theory –

    1. (A) Germany
    2. (B) Sweden
    3. (C) Congo
    4. (D) China
    1 mark See answer →

  5. Q.1 (C) (5) Ideal location for fishing fields –

    1. (A) rugged coasts, shallow seas, hot climate, growth of planktons
    2. (B) shallow seas, confluence of warm and cold ocean currents, growth of planktons, cold climate
    3. (C) continental shelf, growth of planktons, good skill of fishing, warm climate
    4. (D) continental shelf, broken coasts, growth of planktons, warm climate.
    1 mark See answer →

Q.1 (D) Write True or False (5 marks)

  1. Q.1 (D) (1) Write True or False: Economic Geography is a branch of Human Geography.

    1 mark See answer →

  2. Q.1 (D) (2) Write True or False: Migration is not a component of population change.

    1 mark See answer →

  3. Q.1 (D) (3) Write True or False: The area between urban and rural area is called urban - rural fringe.

    1 mark See answer →

  4. Q.1 (D) (4) Write True or False: Various physical and human factors influence the development of agriculture.

    1 mark See answer →

  5. Q.1 (D) (5) Write True or False: Factors affecting industrial location are the same everywhere.

    1 mark See answer →

Q.2 Give geographical reasons, any four (12 marks)

  1. Q.2 (1) Give geographical reason: Fruit processing industries are found in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg Districts of Konkan region.

    3 marks See answer →

  2. Q.2 (2) Give geographical reason: Himalaya mountain region have low population.

    3 marks See answer →

  3. Q.2 (3) Give geographical reason: Regional development is dependent on physical setting.

    3 marks See answer →

  4. Q.2 (4) Give geographical reason: Literacy rate of a country is an indicator of its social-economic development.

    3 marks See answer →

  5. Q.2 (5) Give geographical reason: Not all rural settlements change into urban settlements.

    3 marks See answer →

  6. Q.2 (6) Give geographical reason: Geographical diversity is responsible for trade to occur.

    3 marks See answer →

Q.3 Differentiate between, any three (9 marks)

  1. Q.3 (1) Differentiate between: Donor region and Recipient region

    3 marks See answer →

  2. Q.3 (2) Differentiate between: Shifting Agriculture and Plantation Agriculture

    3 marks See answer →

  3. Q.3 (3) Differentiate between: Waterways and Airways

    3 marks See answer →

  4. Q.3 (4) Differentiate between: Physical Geography and Human Geography

    3 marks See answer →

  5. Q.3 (5) Differentiate between: Formal region and Functional region

    3 marks See answer →

Q.4 (A) Mark and name on the world outline map, any six (6 marks)

  1. Q.4 (A) (1) Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (any six): Most populated city in India – Mumbai

    1 mark See answer →

  2. Q.4 (A) (2) Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (any six): The country having highest sex-ratio in the world – Russia

    1 mark See answer →

  3. Q.4 (A) (3) Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (any six): Grand Bank fishing area

    1 mark See answer →

  4. Q.4 (A) (4) Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (any six): Lumbering area of Canada

    1 mark See answer →

  5. Q.4 (A) (5) Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (any six): Any one industrial region in Japan

    1 mark See answer →

  6. Q.4 (A) (6) Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (any six): Oil producing country in South America – Venezuela

    1 mark See answer →

  7. Q.4 (A) (7) Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (any six): Major port in South Africa – Capetown

    1 mark See answer →

  8. Q.4 (A) (8) Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (any six): Trans Australian Railway – route

    1 mark See answer →

Q.4 (B) Observe the pie-chart and answer (5 marks)

  1. Q.4 (B) Observe the pie-chart and answer the following:

    [Figure: Pie chart / divided circle titled 'Percentage of Population Distribution 2019'. The sectors, as labelled and shaded on the paper, are:]

    ContinentPercentage of world population (2019)
    Asia59.65
    Africa16.96
    N. America9.69
    South America8.40
    Europe4.75
    Australia0.55

    Questions:
    (1) Which continent has the highest population?
    (2) Which continent has 9.69 percent of total population of the world?
    (3) Which continent has the least population?
    (4) How many percent of population is in Europe?
    (5) Which continent is missing in this pie-chart? Why?

    5 marks See answer →

Q.5 Write notes, any three (12 marks)

  1. Q.5 (1) Write a note on: Reasons for migration

    4 marks See answer →

  2. Q.5 (2) Write a note on: Factors affecting regional imbalance in India

    4 marks See answer →

  3. Q.5 (3) Write a note on: Correlation between birth rate and death rate

    4 marks See answer →

  4. Q.5 (4) Write a note on: Means of communication

    4 marks See answer →

  5. Q.5 (5) Write a note on: Nature of Geography

    4 marks See answer →

Q.6 (A) Read the passage and answer (4 marks)

  1. Q.6 (A) Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:

    More than 3,500 years back, the city of Knossos on the island of Crete was the main centre town of the Minuan civilization. By 500 BC, Greece had become one of the most highly urbanized areas on the Earth. The Greeks established over 500 cities and small towns on the main lands as well as on the islands. Athens and Sparta were the leading cities of Greece.

    Athens may have been the largest city in the world at the time, with an estimated 2,50,000 inhabitants. The Greek cities were the centres of religion and power but also served as economic nodes. Cities were the main market places and bases from which wealthy merchants, land and livestock owners and traders operated. As educational centres, residents of cities included teachers and philosophers. They also had handicrafts industries that attracted the best crafts people and investors. In all of these roles, ancient cities were the anchors of cultural society; the focal points of power, authority and change.

    Questions:
    (1) Which was the largest city in the world during Greek period?
    (2) State the role of Greek cities.
    (3) What was the estimated population of Athens city?
    (4) Which amenities and services were available in ancient Greek cities?

    4 marks See answer →

Q.6 (B) Draw neat, labelled diagrams, any two (4 marks)

  1. Q.6 (B) (1) Draw neat, labelled diagram (any two): Linear Settlement

    2 marks See answer →

  2. Q.6 (B) (2) Draw neat, labelled diagram (any two): Provision of public goods / services to reduce regional imbalance

    2 marks See answer →

  3. Q.6 (B) (3) Draw neat, labelled diagram (any two): Branches of Human Geography

    2 marks See answer →

Q.7 Answer in detail, any one (8 marks)

  1. Q.7 (1) Explain the characteristics of extensive commercial grain farming with its distribution.

    8 marks See answer →

  2. Q.7 (2) Explain the factors affecting the location of industries.

    8 marks See answer →