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By rohit.pandey1
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Updated on 6 Mar 2026, 15:23 IST
The NCERT Class 6 Science Curiosity book is the official textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), designed for students studying under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum. Introduced as part of India's New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Curiosity textbook marks a significant shift in how science is taught at the middle school level — replacing rote learning with inquiry-based, activity-driven education.
The NCERT Class 6 Science Curiosity book 2025-26 covers 12 chapters spanning topics from the diversity of living organisms, healthy eating, measurement and motion, properties of materials, temperature, the water cycle, separation methods, characteristics of living creatures, natural resources, and space science. Each chapter is packed with real-life examples, colourful diagrams, hands-on activities, and thought-provoking exercises to make science enjoyable and meaningful for 11–12 year old students.
Whether you are looking for the NCERT Class 6 Science PDF download, chapter-wise solutions, notes, or important questions for exam preparation, this comprehensive guide has everything you need. Download the NCERT Class 6 Science Curiosity PDF free below and get started on your science journey!
The NCERT Class 6 Science syllabus 2025-26 is framed in alignment with CBSE guidelines and the NEP 2020 framework. It encourages competency-based learning, critical thinking, and connects scientific concepts with everyday experiences of Indian children.
The updated Curiosity textbook replaces the older NCERT Class 6 Science book, introducing new chapters and a more activity-oriented approach. Students who previously studied from the old NCERT will notice a refreshed structure, updated examples, and a greater emphasis on student participation through projects and activities.
| S.No. | NCERT Solutions for Science Class 6 Chapter-Wise Links |
| 1 | Chapter 1 The Wonderful World of Science Solutions |
| 2 | Chapter 2 Diversity in the Living World Solutions |
| 3 | Chapter 3 Mindful Eating: A Path to a Healthy Body Solutions |
| 4 | Chapter 4 Exploring Magnets Solutions |
| 5 | Chapter 5 Measurement of Length and Motion Solutions |
| 6 | Chapter 6 Materials Around Us Solutions |
| 7 | Chapter 7 Temperature and its Measurement Solutions |
| 8 | Chapter 8 A Journey through States of Water Solutions |
| 9 | Chapter 9 Methods of Separation in Everyday Life Solutions |
| 10 | Chapter 10 Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics Solutions |
| 11 | Chapter 11 Nature’s Treasures Solutions |
| 12 | Chapter 12 Beyond Earth Solutions |
Chapter 1 introduces students to the world of science and what it means to think scientifically. It explains that science is not just a school subject — it is a way of observing and understanding the world around us. From wondering why leaves are green to how birds fly, science starts with curiosity. The chapter encourages students to ask questions, make observations, conduct simple experiments, and draw conclusions.
Q1. What is science? Give two examples from daily life that show science in action.
Ans. Science is the systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation. Two daily-life examples: (1) Water boils at 100°C — this is a scientific fact we can observe and verify. (2) A magnet attracts iron pins — this is a property we can test through experiments.
Q2. Why is curiosity important in science?
Ans. Curiosity drives scientific discovery. When we ask "why" and "how," we begin to investigate and find answers. For example, Isaac Newton's curiosity about a falling apple led to the discovery of the law of gravitation. Without curiosity, there would be no scientific progress.
Q3. Name any two Indian scientists and their contributions.
Ans. (1) C.V. Raman — Discovered the Raman Effect, which explains how light scatters through a material, earning him the Nobel Prize. (2) APJ Abdul Kalam — Made major contributions to India's space and missile programmes.
Chapter 2 explores the incredible variety of life on Earth — from tiny microorganisms to giant blue whales, from mosses to towering banyan trees. It introduces students to the concept of biodiversity and teaches how living organisms are classified based on their characteristics. India, being one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, provides rich examples throughout this chapter.
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Q1. What is diversity in the living world?
Ans. Diversity in the living world refers to the wide variety of living organisms found on Earth — different shapes, sizes, colours, habitats, and ways of living. From a tiny ant to an enormous elephant, from a cactus in the desert to a lotus in a pond, living organisms show remarkable diversity.
Q2. Differentiate between herbs, shrubs, and trees with examples.
Ans.
| Feature | Herbs | Shrubs | Trees |
| Height | Short | Medium | Tall |
| Stem | Soft, green | Slightly woody | Hard, woody |
| Examples | Wheat, spinach | Rose, tulsi | Mango, banyan |
Q3. What are vertebrates and invertebrates? Give examples.
Ans.Vertebrates are animals with a backbone (e.g., fish, frogs, snakes, birds, humans). Invertebrates are animals without a backbone (e.g., earthworms, butterflies, crabs, starfish).
Chapter 3 teaches students about nutrition and the importance of eating a balanced diet. It covers the major nutrients found in food — carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water — and explains what each nutrient does for the body. The chapter also emphasises the importance of mindful eating habits for good health and overall well-being.
Q1. What are nutrients? Name the major nutrients found in food.
Ans. Nutrients are chemical substances present in food that are essential for the growth, development, and maintenance of the body. The major nutrients are: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals, and Water.
Q2. What is a balanced diet? Why is it important?
Ans. A balanced diet is one that contains all essential nutrients in the right quantities required by the body. It is important because it ensures proper growth, provides energy, strengthens immunity, and prevents deficiency diseases. An Indian balanced meal typically includes dal (protein), rice or roti (carbohydrates), sabzi (vitamins and minerals), curd (calcium), and salad (roughage).
Q3. Name two deficiency diseases and their causes.
Ans. (1) Scurvy — caused by lack of Vitamin C; symptoms include bleeding gums and weakness. (2) Anaemia — caused by lack of iron; symptoms include fatigue and pale skin.
Chapter 4 is one of the most activity-rich chapters in the Curiosity textbook. It introduces students to magnets — what they are, how they work, their properties, and how they are used in everyday life. Through simple hands-on activities (many of which can be done at home), students discover the fascinating world of magnetism.
Q1. What are the properties of a magnet?
Ans. (1) A magnet attracts iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt. (2) Every magnet has two poles — North and South. (3) Like poles repel each other; unlike poles attract. (4) A freely suspended magnet always points in the North-South direction. (5) The force of attraction is strongest at the poles.
Q2. How is a compass used for navigation?
Ans. A compass contains a small magnetised needle that is free to rotate. Because a magnet always aligns in the North-South direction, the compass needle always points North. This helps travellers, hikers, and sailors find direction even without a GPS.
Q3. Differentiate between natural and artificial magnets.
Ans. A natural magnet is found in nature (e.g., lodestone/magnetite). An artificial magnet is man-made in a desired shape (e.g., bar magnet, horseshoe magnet, ring magnet). Artificial magnets are stronger and more useful than natural magnets.
Chapter 5 teaches students the science of measurement — specifically how to measure length accurately and how to describe different types of motion. The chapter introduces the SI system of units, measuring tools like rulers and measuring tapes, and concepts like distance, displacement, speed, and types of motion.
Q1. What is the SI unit of length? Name the instruments used to measure length.
Ans. The SI unit of length is the metre (m). Common instruments used to measure length include: ruler (scale), measuring tape, and metre rod. For very small lengths, a screw gauge or vernier caliper may be used.
Q2. What are the different types of motion? Give one example of each.
Ans. (1) Rectilinear motion — a ball rolling in a straight line. (2) Circular motion — a ceiling fan's blades. (3) Oscillatory motion — a pendulum of a clock. (4) Rotational motion — a spinning top.
Q3. A car travels 120 km in 2 hours. Calculate its speed.
Ans. Speed = Distance ÷ Time = 120 ÷ 2 = 60 km/h
Chapter 6 explores the wide variety of materials we use in daily life — from wood and plastic to metals and glass. Students learn how materials are classified based on their properties (hard/soft, soluble/insoluble, transparent/opaque) and how we choose materials for specific purposes based on these properties.
Q1. Classify the following as transparent, translucent, or opaque: glass, oiled paper, wood, plastic bottle.
Ans. Transparent: glass, plastic bottle. Translucent: oiled paper. Opaque: wood.
Q2. What is the difference between soluble and insoluble substances? Give examples.
Ans.Soluble substances dissolve in a liquid (e.g., salt and sugar dissolve in water). Insoluble substances do not dissolve in a liquid (e.g., sand and chalk do not dissolve in water).
Q3. Why are cooking utensils made of metals?
Ans. Cooking utensils are made of metals (like aluminium and steel) because metals are good conductors of heat — they heat up quickly and evenly, making cooking faster and more efficient.
Chapter 7 teaches students about temperature — what it is, how it is measured, and why accurate measurement matters. Students learn about different types of thermometers (clinical and laboratory) and the two temperature scales commonly used: Celsius and Fahrenheit.
Q1. What is temperature? What is its unit?
Ans. Temperature is the degree of hotness or coldness of an object. It is measured using a thermometer. The SI unit of temperature is Kelvin (K), but commonly Degree Celsius (°C) is used in everyday life and science.
Q2. What is the difference between a clinical thermometer and a laboratory thermometer?
Ans.
| Feature | Clinical Thermometer | Laboratory Thermometer |
| Purpose | Measures body temperature | Used in experiments |
| Range | 35°C to 42°C | –10°C to 110°C |
| Has kink? | Yes (to retain reading) | No |
Q3. Convert 37°C to Fahrenheit.
Ans. °F = (37 × 9/5) + 32 = 66.6 + 32 = 98.6°F
Chapter 8 takes students on a fascinating journey through the different states of water — solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapour). It explains how water changes from one state to another and introduces the water cycle — the continuous movement of water on Earth that makes life possible.
Q1. What is the water cycle? Explain the stages.
Ans. The water cycle is the continuous natural process by which water moves around Earth. Its stages are:
Q2. Why does a glass of cold water have water droplets on its outer surface?
Ans. When a cold glass is placed in a warm room, water vapour present in the air around the glass cools down on contact with the cold surface and condenses into liquid water droplets. This is the process of condensation.
Q3. What happens when water is heated from 0°C to 100°C?
Ans. At 0°C, ice (solid water) begins to melt into liquid water. As the temperature rises, water remains in liquid form. At 100°C, water begins to boil and converts into water vapour (gas). This is called evaporation/vaporisation.
Chapter 9 teaches practical science — how we separate mixtures in daily life. From picking stones from rice to filtering tea leaves, separation methods are used constantly. Students learn about different techniques and when to apply each one based on the nature of the mixture.
Q1. What method would you use to separate the following? (a) Salt from water (b) Iron filings from sand (c) Stones from rice
Ans. (a) Evaporation — heat the salt water until water evaporates, leaving salt behind. (b) Magnetic separation — use a magnet to attract iron filings, leaving sand behind. (c) Hand-picking — pick out the stones by hand.
Q2. What is the difference between sedimentation and decantation?
Ans.Sedimentation is the process where heavier, insoluble particles in a liquid settle down to the bottom over time. Decantation is the process of carefully pouring off the clear liquid after sedimentation, without disturbing the settled particles.
Q3. How is filtration carried out? Draw a simple setup.
Ans. Filtration separates an insoluble solid from a liquid. A filter paper is folded and placed in a funnel. The mixture is poured through the filter paper. The solid particles (residue) remain on the filter paper, while the liquid (filtrate) passes through into a beaker below.
Chapter 10 answers a fundamental question: what makes something "alive"? Students explore the characteristics that all living organisms share — growth, movement, respiration, reproduction, and response to stimuli — and learn to distinguish between living and non-living things.
Q1. List the characteristics of living organisms.
Ans. Living organisms show: (1) Growth, (2) Movement, (3) Respiration, (4) Nutrition, (5) Excretion, (6) Reproduction, (7) Response to stimuli, (8) Definite lifespan.
Q2. How do plants show movement even though they appear stationary?
Ans. Plants show slow, often invisible movements. For example, they grow towards sunlight (phototropism), their roots grow downward towards water (geotropism), and some plants like Mimosa pudica (touch-me-not) fold their leaves when touched.
Q3. Is fire a living thing? Explain.
Ans. No, fire is not a living thing. Although it grows and needs oxygen (like living things), it cannot reproduce, does not have cells, and does not carry out nutrition or excretion. Fire is a chemical reaction, not a living organism.
Chapter 11 introduces students to the concept of natural resources — the gifts of nature that sustain all life on Earth. From air and water to forests and minerals, the chapter helps students understand why these resources are precious, how they are used, and why it is our responsibility to conserve them. India's rich natural heritage makes this chapter especially relevant for Indian students.
Q1. What are natural resources? Give three examples.
Ans. Natural resources are substances or materials found in nature that are used by living organisms. Examples: (1) Water — used for drinking, irrigation, and industries. (2) Forests — provide timber, oxygen, and habitat. (3) Coal — used as fuel for energy.
Q2. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources.
Ans.Renewable resources can be naturally replenished within a human lifetime (e.g., solar energy, wind, water). Non-renewable resources are available in limited quantities and take millions of years to form (e.g., coal, petroleum, natural gas).
Q3. Why should we conserve natural resources? Suggest three ways to conserve them.
Ans. We should conserve natural resources because they are limited and essential for all life. Ways to conserve: (1) Reduce use — turn off lights and fans when not in use. (2) Reuse — use cloth bags instead of plastic bags. (3) Recycle — recycle paper, glass, and metal to reduce waste.
The final chapter of the Curiosity textbook takes students on the most exciting journey of all — beyond our planet Earth and into outer space. Chapter 12 introduces the solar system, planets, moons, stars, and space exploration. It stirs a sense of wonder and encourages students to look up at the night sky with scientific eyes.
Q1. Name the planets of the solar system in order from the Sun.
Ans. The eight planets in order from the Sun are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. A helpful mnemonic: My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles.
Q2. What is the difference between a planet and a star?
Ans. A star produces its own light and heat through nuclear reactions (e.g., the Sun). A planet does not produce its own light — it orbits a star and reflects its light (e.g., Earth, Mars). Stars are much larger and hotter than planets.
Q3. What is a constellation? Name two constellations.
Ans. A constellation is a group of stars that appears to form a recognisable pattern when viewed from Earth. Two examples: (1) Ursa Major (Great Bear) — also known as Saptarishi in India. (2) Orion (The Hunter) — visible in winter, with a distinctive belt of three bright stars.
Q4. What are ISRO's achievements in space exploration?
Ans. ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) has achieved: (1) Chandrayaan-1 (2008) — India's first lunar mission, discovered water molecules on the Moon. (2) Mangalyaan (2014) — India's Mars Orbiter Mission, making India the first country to reach Mars orbit on its first attempt. (3) Chandrayaan-3 (2023) — successfully landed near the Moon's south pole.
The NCERT Class 6 Science Curiosity book PDF is freely available on the official NCERT website. Follow these simple steps to download it at no cost:
Steps to Download NCERT Class 6 Science PDF:
The NCERT Class 6 Science Curiosity book is not just another textbook — it is the gold standard for CBSE Science education in India. Here is why every Class 6 student should rely on it:
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The Curiosity book is the official NCERT Science textbook for Class 6, introduced under the NEP 2020 framework. It covers 12 chapters on topics including living organisms, food and nutrition, magnets, measurement, materials, temperature, water, separation methods, and space science.
The NCERT Class 6 Science Curiosity book has 12 chapters in the 2025-26 edition.
Students can download it free from the official NCERT website at ncert.nic.in. Select Class VI → Science → English/Hindi medium → Download.
For CBSE Class 6 exams, the NCERT Curiosity textbook is more than sufficient. All exam questions are set based on NCERT content. Solve all in-text and end-of-chapter questions for best results.
The water cycle has 4 steps: (1) The Sun heats water in oceans/rivers → it evaporates into water vapour. (2) Water vapour rises and cools → it condenses to form clouds. (3) Water falls from clouds as rain or snow (precipitation). (4) Water collects back in rivers and oceans and the cycle repeats.
There are four types of motion: (1) Rectilinear (straight line), (2) Circular (along a circle), (3) Oscillatory (back and forth), (4) Rotational (spinning). An object can show more than one type of motion at the same time.
Living things show characteristics like growth, movement, respiration, nutrition, reproduction, and response to stimuli. Non-living things do not show these characteristics. For example, a plant is living; a stone is non-living.
ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is India's national space agency. Chapter 12 of Class 6 Science covers the solar system, planets, and space exploration. ISRO's missions like Chandrayaan (Moon mission) and Mangalyaan (Mars mission) are real-world examples of space science that connect directly to what is taught in this chapter.
Many traditional Indian practices are examples of separation methods: (1) Winnowing — farmers use the wind to separate grain from chaff during harvest season. (2) Sieving — making atta (flour) at home uses sieves. (3) Filtration — filtering tea through a strainer. (4) Evaporation — making salt from seawater in coastal states like Gujarat.