Class 8 Social Science Chapter 1 Natural Resources and Their Use is a high-frequency chapter in the CBSE Class 8 Social Science exam. These class 8 social-science handwritten notes chapter 1 Natural Resources and Their Use follow the 2026-27 NCERT and cover when nature becomes a resource, resources by use: life, materials, energy, renewable and non-renewable resources. This.

22+ pages | Key Terms + Quick Recall | Exam-focused notes · Class 8 Social Science Chapter 1, 2026-27 NCERT
  • CBSE Class 8 Weightage: a scoring chapter in the Social Science paper, asked in short and long answers.
  • What the notes cover: when nature becomes a resource, resources by use: life, materials, energy, renewable and non-renewable resources, ecosystem functions and services.
  • Best for: quick revision before Class 8 exams and a strong base for Class 9.

You can read the complete class 8 social-science handwritten notes for Natural Resources and Their Use, with key terms, boxed definitions, and quick revision points, in the PDF below.

These handwritten notes are written by subject teachers, mapped to the 2026-27 NCERT, and checked against the last five years of CBSE Class 8 Social Science papers.

What the Natural Resources and Their Use Handwritten Notes Cover

This chapter asks a simple question: what is a natural resource? It explains how nature becomes a resource only when humans use it. It also shows why we must use resources wisely, as careful stewards and not just as users.

  • When nature becomes a resource
  • Resources by use: life, materials, energy
  • Renewable and non-renewable resources
  • Ecosystem functions and services
  • Uneven distribution of resources
  • The paradox of plenty
  • Overuse of groundwater and the Punjab caselet
  • Stewardship and responsible use
Concept: Nature becomes a resource when humans use it, so we must use resources wisely as stewards for the future.

Natural Resources and Their Use Self-Assessment Quiz

Try these quick questions after you read the notes. Tap each question to check your answer. They cover the points CBSE asks most often.

When does something in nature become a resource?

(a) always (b) when humans use it (c) only if it is rare (d) never

Answer: (b) when humans use it - a tree becomes a resource only when we use the wood.

Which of these is a non-renewable resource?

(a) sunlight (b) wind (c) coal (d) flowing water

Answer: (c) coal - it forms over very long periods and cannot renew in time.

What is the paradox of plenty?

(a) too many people (b) rich in resources but poor (c) plenty of water (d) many crops

Answer: (b) rich in resources but poor - also called the natural resource curse.

Which state became 100 per cent organic in 2016?

(a) Punjab (b) Kerala (c) Sikkim (d) Goa

Answer: (c) Sikkim - all its farmland was certified organic.

About how deep did Punjab's water table fall?

(a) 5 m (b) 30 m (c) 100 m (d) 2 m

Answer: (b) 30 m - due to over-pumping after the Green Revolution.

Natural Resources and Their Use Topic-wise Weightage for CBSE Class 8 Social Science

Some parts of this chapter are asked more often than others. The table below shows which sub-topics to revise first, based on recent CBSE Class 8 question trends.

Sub-topicWeightageCBSE Frequency
Renewable and non-renewable resourcesHighasked often
Types of resources by useHighasked often
Distribution and the paradox of plentyMediumasked sometimes
Groundwater overuse and Punjab caseletMediumasked sometimes
Stewardship and ecosystem servicesMediumasked sometimes
Sikkim organic farming caseletLowasked rarely

Key Terms and Ideas in Natural Resources and Their Use

These are the terms and ideas the exam asks about most. Learn each one so you can define it and use it in your answers.

Term / IdeaWhat it means
Natural resourcea material from nature that is valuable and used by humans
Renewable resourceone that renews itself if we do not overuse it
Non-renewable resourceone that takes ages to form and cannot renew in time
Ecosystem servicesfree gifts of nature that benefit humans, like clean water
Stewardshipusing resources with care so nature can renew them
Paradox of plentybeing rich in resources yet staying poor
Biodiversity lossthe decline in the number of life forms on Earth
Green Revolution1960s shift to high-yielding wheat and paddy in Punjab
Remember: India's coal may last only about 50 years, so non-renewable resources must be used judiciously.
Watch Out: Renewable does not mean unlimited; a renewable resource turns non-renewable if we use it faster than it renews.

How Collegedunia's Handwritten Notes Help You Revise Natural Resources and Their Use

These notes are made for the night before the exam. They keep the facts short and easy to scan. Collegedunia maps every point to the 2026-27 NCERT.

  • Clear handwriting: each topic is written in neat, easy-to-read handwriting.
  • Boxed key terms: the main terms and definitions are boxed by hand for fast recall.
  • Diagrams and tables: simple hand-drawn tables and charts make ideas clear.
  • Colour-coded headings: new sub-topics stand out, so you find any section in seconds.

How to Use These Handwritten Notes for Class 8 Social Science Revision

Use these class 8 social-science handwritten notes in two passes. Read them slowly once for the full chapter. Then, near the exam, read only the boxes and key terms for a fast recall.

  • Read the notes once with the NCERT chapter open beside you.
  • Say each key term and idea in your own words.
  • Practise one long-answer question from a past paper.
  • On the last day, revise only the key terms and the boxes.

Class 8 Social Science Handwritten Notes for All Chapters

The table below links the class 8 social-science handwritten notes for every chapter. Use it to jump to any other chapter's notes.

Natural Resources and Their Use Class 8 Social Science Handwritten Notes FAQs

Ques. Where can I download Natural Resources and Their Use Class 8 Social Science Handwritten Notes PDF?

Ans. You can download the Natural Resources and Their Use Class 8 Social Science Handwritten Notes PDF directly from this page. Both the Normal and HD versions are free.

Ques. Are these handwritten notes aligned with the 2026-27 NCERT?

Ans. Yes. These notes follow the current 2026-27 syllabus for Class 8 Social Science. The difference between renewable and non-renewable resources.

Ques. How many pages is the Class 8 Social Science Natural Resources and Their Use Handwritten Notes PDF?

Ans. The notes run about 22 pages. They cover the full chapter with key terms, hand-drawn boxes, and a short self-assessment quiz.

Ques. What is the main idea of the 8th standard Social Science chapter Natural Resources and Their Use?

Ans. The chapter teaches that nature becomes a resource only when humans use it, and that these resources are grouped by use and by renewal. Its main idea is that we must act as stewards and use resources wisely so nature can restore and regenerate them for the future.

Ques. Are these Natural Resources and Their Use notes enough for the CBSE Class 8 exam?

Ans. Yes, for revision. The Collegedunia handwritten notes cover every key point and exam term. Read them with the NCERT chapter and practise past questions.