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Indian Geography — Major Soil Types

Indian Geography — Major Soil Types

Major Soil Types in India
Figure 1: Major soil types in India are frequently tested in UPSC examinations.

1. Alluvial Soils

Context: Alluvial soils are the most extensive and agriculturally important soils in India, covering about 40% of the total area.
  • Location: Northern plains and the River Valleys.
  • Extent: 40 per cent of the total area of the country.
  • Features: Depositional soils, transported and deposited by rivers and streams.
  • Characteristics: From Sandy Loam to clay. Rich in Potash, poor in Phosphorous.
  • Bangar: old alluvium (older deposits, less fertile)
  • Khaddar: new alluvium (younger deposits, more fertile)
  • Kankar: calcareous deposits
  • Intensively cultivated — supports high population density.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:

  • UPSC Prelims 2019: Alluvial soils cover what percentage of India's total area? Answer: 40%.
  • UPSC Prelims 2017: Khadar and Bhangaar are associated with which type of soil? Answer: Alluvial soil.
  • UPSC Prelims 2015: Which soil is rich in potash but poor in phosphorous? Answer: Alluvial soil.

2. Black Soil / Regur Soil / Black Cotton Soil

Context: Black soil is also known as Regur Soil or Black Cotton Soil, ideal for cotton cultivation.
  • Location: Most of the Deccan Plateau — parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and some parts of Tamil Nadu.
  • Feature: Clayey, deep, and impermeable. Swells and becomes sticky when wet, shrinks when dried. Develops wide cracks like 'self-ploughing'.
  • Characteristics:
    • Rich in lime, iron, magnesia and alumina
    • Contains potash
    • Lacks phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter
    • Color ranges from deep black to grey
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:

  • UPSC Prelims 2020: Black soil is also known as? Answer: Regur Soil / Black Cotton Soil.
  • UPSC Prelims 2018: Black soil is mainly found in which part of India? Answer: Deccan Plateau.
  • UPSC Prelims 2016: Which soil develops cracks like 'self-ploughing'? Answer: Black soil.

3. Red and Yellow Soil

Context: Red soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall.
  • Location: Parts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh and in the southern parts of the middle Ganga plain.
  • Feature: Reddish color due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. Looks yellow in its hydrated form.
  • Characteristics:
    • Fine-grained red and yellow soils are normally fertile.
    • Coarse-grained soils found in dry upland areas are poor in fertility.
    • Generally, poor in nitrogen, phosphorus and humus.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:

  • UPSC Prelims 2019: Red soil develops on which type of rocks? Answer: Crystalline igneous rocks.
  • UPSC Prelims 2016: Yellow soil is formed due to which process? Answer: Hydration of iron.

4. Arid Soils

Context: Arid soils are found in the desert regions of India, characterized by low moisture and high salinity.
  • Location: Western Rajasthan.
  • Feature: Range from red to brown in color, sandy in structure and saline in nature.
  • Characteristics:
    • Lacks moisture and humus.
    • Insufficient Nitrogen and normal phosphate content.
    • Lower horizons of the soil are occupied by 'kankar' (calcium) layers which restricts the infiltration of water.
    • Soil moisture is readily available when irrigation is available.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:

  • UPSC Prelims 2018: Arid soils are found in which region? Answer: Western Rajasthan.
  • UPSC Prelims 2015: Kankar layers are found in which soil? Answer: Arid soils.

5. Forest Soils

Context: Forest soils are found in forest areas where sufficient rainfall is available.
  • Location: Forest areas where sufficient rainfall is available.
  • Feature: Loamy and silty on valley sides and coarse-grained in the upper slopes.
  • Characteristics:
    • Acidic with low humus content in Snow covered Himalayas.
    • Fertile in lower valleys.

6. Summary: Major Soil Types at a Glance

Soil Type Location Key Feature UPSC Year
Alluvial Soil Northern plains, River Valleys 40% area; Khadar (new), Bhangaar (old) 2017, 2019
Black Soil Deccan Plateau Regur; self-ploughing; cotton 2016, 2018, 2020
Red Soil Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Deccan Iron diffusion; poor in N, P, humus 2019
Arid Soil Western Rajasthan Sandy, saline; kankar layers 2015, 2018
Forest Soil Forest areas with rainfall Loamy to coarse-grained; acidic —
Key Takeaways for UPSC

  • Alluvial Soil (40%): Khadar (new) & Bhangaar (old); rich in potash, poor in phosphorus — UPSC 2017, 2019
  • Black Soil / Regur: Deccan Plateau; self-ploughing cracks; rich in lime, iron, magnesia, alumina; lacks N, P, organic matter — UPSC 2016, 2018, 2020
  • Red Soil: Crystalline igneous rocks; iron diffusion; poor in N, P, humus — UPSC 2019
  • Arid Soil: Western Rajasthan; sandy, saline; kankar (calcium) layers — UPSC 2015, 2018
  • Forest Soil: Forest areas; loamy to coarse-grained; acidic in Himalayas, fertile in valleys
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Major Soil Types)

Q1. Alluvial soils cover approximately what percentage of India's total area?

Correct Answer: C. Alluvial soils cover 40% of the total area of India. They are found in the Northern plains and River Valleys. (UPSC 2019)

Q2. Khadar and Bhangaar are associated with which type of soil?

Correct Answer: B. Khadar (new alluvium) and Bhangaar (old alluvium) are associated with Alluvial soil. (UPSC 2017)

Q3. Black soil is also known as:

Correct Answer: B. Black soil is also known as Regur Soil or Black Cotton Soil. It is found in the Deccan Plateau. (UPSC 2020)

Q4. Which soil develops wide cracks like 'self-ploughing'?

Correct Answer: B. Black soil swells and becomes sticky when wet and shrinks when dried, developing wide cracks like 'self-ploughing'. (UPSC 2016)

Q5. Which soil is rich in lime, iron, magnesia and alumina but lacks phosphorus and nitrogen?

Correct Answer: B. Black soil is rich in lime, iron, magnesia and alumina, and contains potash, but lacks phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter. (UPSC 2018)

Q6. Red soil develops on which type of rocks?

Correct Answer: C. Red soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall in the eastern and southern part of the Deccan Plateau. (UPSC 2019)

Q7. Arid soils are found in which region?

Correct Answer: C. Arid soils are found in Western Rajasthan. They are sandy in structure, saline in nature, and lack moisture and humus. (UPSC 2018)

Q8. Kankar layers are found in which soil?

Correct Answer: B. Kankar (calcium) layers are found in arid soils, which restrict the infiltration of water. (UPSC 2015)

Q9. Which soil is poor in nitrogen, phosphorus, and humus?

Correct Answer: C. Red soil is generally poor in nitrogen, phosphorus, and humus. Coarse-grained red soils found in dry upland areas are poor in fertility.

Q10. Alluvial soil is rich in which nutrient?

Correct Answer: B. Alluvial soil is rich in Potash but poor in Phosphorous. It is found in the Northern plains and River Valleys. (UPSC 2015)

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