Download Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change – NCERT Class 7 Science Chapter 6 PDF from the new NCERT Class 7 Science book Curiosity (2026-27). Read the chapter online or download the free PDF. Adolescence is the stage of development between childhood and adulthood. It generally begins around 10 years of age and usually lasts until 19 years. Its timing and duration are different for every person, and that variation is completely normal.
Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change PDF – Chapter 6 of Curiosity
Read the chapter online or download the PDF.
| Chapter | Download | |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 6 PDF | Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change | View PDF |
| Full book | NCERT Class 7 Science – Curiosity | View Book |
Read Online
NCERT Book Class 7 Science (Curiosity) Chapter 6 Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change
Open PDF
What Is in Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change? (Class 7 Science Chapter 6)
- Adolescence is the stage of development between childhood and adulthood. It generally begins around 10 years of age and usually lasts until 19 years. Its timing and duration are different for every person, and that variation is completely normal.
- Puberty is the stage in which the body of an adolescent undergoes external and internal changes and develops into an adult capable of reproduction. It is marked by the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics — features that help distinguish males from females but are not directly involved in reproduction.
- Visible changes include an increase in height, weight gain and greater strength, change in voice (growth of the voice box, seen as the Adam’s apple in many boys), acne and pimples on the face, hair in the armpits and pubic region, and facial hair in boys. Girls also develop breasts.
- An important internal change in adolescent girls is the start of the menstrual cycle, generally every 28–30 days (21–35 days in many healthy girls). The phase with blood discharge is called menstruation and lasts three to seven days. It stops naturally by the age of 45–55 years. Menstruation is a natural process; myths and taboos about it have no scientific basis.
- Adolescence also brings emotional and behavioural changes — stronger emotions than in childhood, mood swings and increased sensitivity. These can be channelled positively into music, dance, sports, creativity and social work.
- A nutritious diet, personal hygiene (including menstrual hygiene), regular physical activity and a balanced social life — online and offline — make adolescence a joyful and healthy experience.
- Tobacco, gutka, cigarettes, beedi, alcohol and illegal drugs are harmful and addictive; using them repeatedly is called substance abuse. Say ‘NO’ the first time and every time. The national de-addiction helpline is 14446.
- The changes of adolescence are mainly caused by hormones — certain chemicals produced in different parts of the body and released at the right time in response to signals from the brain. Some hormones also influence mood and behaviour.
Quick revision – Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change
| Term | What it means | Example / detail from the chapter | Point to remember |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adolescence | The stage of development between childhood and adulthood | Begins around 10 years and can continue up to 19 years | Each person experiences it at his or her own pace |
| Puberty | The stage in which the body of an adolescent undergoes external and internal changes to develop into an adult capable of reproduction | Marked by the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics | Puberty is a part of adolescence — the two words are not the same |
| Secondary sexual characteristics | Features that help distinguish males from females but are not directly involved in reproduction | Change in voice, facial and chest hair in boys; development of breasts in girls | They are natural signs that the body is preparing for adulthood |
| Voice box | A structure in our throat that helps us to speak | Its growth in boys makes the voice sound hoarse | It grows in girls too, but less, so their voice changes only slightly |
| Adam’s apple | The bump seen in the throat region because of the growing voice box | Seen in many adolescent boys | It is not noticeable in every individual — that too is normal |
| Acne and pimples | A skin condition in which small, reddish pimples appear, commonly on the face | Caused by increased oily secretions that clog the skin pores and lead to infections | Acne is the condition; pimples are a manifestation of it |
| Menstrual cycle | The recurring cycle in adolescent girls, generally every 28–30 days | Many healthy girls have cycles of 21–35 days | It is one of the signs of good reproductive health |
| Menstruation | The phase of the cycle when blood discharge occurs from the body | Lasts for three to seven days; stops naturally by 45–55 years | Some pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen on these days is common |
| Menstrual hygiene | Staying clean and comfortable during menstruation | Sanitary pads (Fig. 6.1), reusable cloth pads; MHS, RKSK and Suvidha schemes | Wrap a used pad in newspaper and put it inside a dustbin — never flush it |
| Substance abuse | Using addictive substances such as tobacco, gutka, alcohol or drugs regularly | Causes breathing difficulties, memory loss and damage to the lungs (Fig. 6.5) | Say ‘NO’ the first time and every time; helpline 14446 |
| Cyberbullying | Use of digital devices or online platforms to harass others | Misleading messages, false rumours, sharing personal information without consent (Fig. 6.4) | Do not feel scared or helpless — tell parents and teachers |
| Hormones | Certain chemicals produced in our bodies that regulate growth and development | Produced in different parts of the body, released in response to signals from the brain | They are the main reason the changes of adolescence happen when they do |
Old NCERT vs New – Class 7 Science
This chapter is from Curiosity, the new NCERT Class 7 Science book (NCF-SE 2023, used from 2025-26). It replaced the old book “Science”, so chapter numbers and names differ from older PDFs.
Solutions and All Chapters
Answers to the exercises and the full chapter list of Curiosity:
Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change – Overview
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | Science |
| Book | Curiosity – new NCERT book |
| Chapter | 6 of 12 – Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change |
| Book pages | 73 – 88 |
| Edition | NCERT Reprint 2026-27 |
| Session | 2026-27 |
| Free – read online or download |
Class 7 Science Chapter 6 – FAQs
Where can I download Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change Class 7 PDF?
From the download table on this page – the chapter PDF is free, and the full book is linked too.
What is Class 7 Science Chapter 6 about?
Adolescence is the stage of development between childhood and adulthood. It generally begins around 10 years of age and usually lasts until 19 years. Its timing and duration are different for every person, and that variation is completely normal.
Is Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change from the new NCERT Class 7 Science book?
Yes. It is chapter 6 of curiosity, the new NCERT Class 7 Science book for 2026-27.
Is this the latest NCERT edition for 2026-27?
Yes – the PDF is NCERT’s latest edition for the 2026-27 session.
Where are the NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 6?
Open the NCERT Solutions link above for answers to the exercise questions.