Chapter 1 of the new NCERT Class 9 Social Science textbook Understanding Society: India and Beyond is Understanding Social Science. It introduces the different branches of social science and why studying society matters.
What Is Social Science?
Q: What does the term “social science” mean?
A: Social science is the systematic study of human society and social relationships, covering how people live, organise themselves, govern, and interact economically and culturally.
Branches of Social Science
Q: Name the major disciplines that together make up social science in this textbook.
A: History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics — each studying a different aspect of human society and its development.
Why We Study Social Science
Q: Why is it useful to study social science as a student?
A: It helps us understand how societies, governments, and economies work, how the past shaped the present, and how to participate responsibly as informed citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is History different from Geography as a discipline?
History studies human events and societies over time, while Geography studies the Earth’s physical features and how humans interact with their environment.
What does Political Science study?
Political Science studies systems of government, power, laws, and how societies organise and exercise authority, including concepts like democracy and elections.
Class 9 Social Science Chapter 1 – More Resources
See the Class 9 Social Science NCERT Book for the full chapter list and official PDF downloads.
