The VSEPR model predicts molecular geometry by minimising repulsion between electron pairs (both bonding and lone) around a central atom. The steric number (SN) equals the count of bonding pairs plus lone pairs. Repulsion strength follows: lp-lp > lp-bp > bp-bp. This ordering explains why bond angles decrease from CH4 (109.5) to NH3 (107) to H2O (104.5) — each additional lone pair compresses the bonding pairs closer together. For JEE, always compute SN first, determine the parent electron geometry, then remove lone pairs to get the molecular geometry. The molecular geometry is what determines the shape name used in answers.