Soils of India – UPSC & SSC Exam Notes | JKSSB Mock Test
Soils of India – Complete Notes for Competitive Exams (SSC, JKSSB, UPSC)
India, being a diverse country with varying climatic conditions and geology, has a wide variety of soils. Understanding the types of soils in India, their formation, characteristics, and crop suitability is essential for both agriculture and competitive exams like SSC, JKSSB, UPSC, and State PSCs.
📌 What is Soil?
Soil is the uppermost layer of the Earth's surface formed by the weathering of rocks and the decomposition of organic materials. It supports plant life and is classified based on texture, color, fertility, and climatic conditions.
🌱 Classification of Soils in India by ICAR (Alluvial, Black, Red, Laterite...)
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has identified 8 major types of soils found across India:
- Alluvial Soil
- Black Soil
- Red Soil
- Laterite Soil
- Mountain Soil
- Desert Soil
- Peaty & Marshy Soil
- Forest Soil
1. Alluvial Soil
Alluvial soil is the most widespread soil type in India, covering around 40% of the total land area.
- Formation: Deposited by rivers like the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus
- Regions: Northern Plains (Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar, West Bengal), Coastal Andhra & Odisha
- Texture: Sandy to silty clay
- Fertility: Very fertile, rich in potash, poor in nitrogen
- Best Crops: Wheat, Rice, Sugarcane, Jute, Pulses
2. Black Soil (Regur Soil)
Known for its cotton-growing suitability, Black soil is a product of volcanic lava flows.
- Formation: Weathering of basalt rocks
- Regions: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
- Texture: Clayey and sticky when wet
- Fertility: Rich in iron, magnesium, potash, lime; poor in phosphorus
- Best Crops: Cotton, Oilseeds, Sorghum, Millets
3. Red Soil
Red soil gets its color due to the presence of iron oxide.
- Formation: Weathering of igneous/metamorphic rocks in hot, dry climates
- Regions: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh
- Texture: Sandy to loamy
- Fertility: Low in nitrogen, phosphorus, humus
- Best Crops: Groundnut, Millets, Pulses, Oilseeds
4. Laterite Soil
Laterite soil forms under heavy rainfall and high temperature, resulting in leaching.
- Formation: Intense leaching due to heavy rainfall
- Regions: Western Ghats, parts of Odisha, Kerala, Meghalaya, Karnataka
- Texture: Porous and friable
- Fertility: Poor, needs fertilizers
- Best Crops: Tea, Coffee, Cashew, Tapioca
5. Desert Soil (Arid Soil)
Found in the arid and semi-arid regions of India, especially in western states.
- Formation: Physical disintegration of rocks in dry climate
- Regions: Rajasthan, Gujarat, parts of Haryana and Punjab
- Texture: Sandy and coarse
- Fertility: Low moisture and humus content
- Best Crops: Bajra, Guar, Date Palm (with irrigation)
6. Mountain Soil
Mountain soils are found in hilly regions and vary with altitude.
- Formation: From forest cover, humus-rich
- Regions: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, NE States
- Texture: Loamy and coarse
- Fertility: Good in valleys, acidic in higher regions
- Best Crops: Tea, Apples, Spices
7. Peaty & Marshy Soil
These are waterlogged soils rich in organic matter.
- Formation: Accumulation of organic matter in wet conditions
- Regions: Kerala, Sundarbans (West Bengal), Coastal Odisha
- Texture: Black, heavy and sticky
- Fertility: Rich in humus but acidic
- Best Crops: Paddy, Coconut
8. Forest Soil
Forest soils are formed in the Himalayan and hilly forest regions.
- Formation: Organic decomposition under forest cover
- Regions: Himalayan regions and Northeast
- Texture: Varies from loamy to coarse
- Fertility: Depends on forest type and location
- Best Crops: Maize, Barley, Fruits
🧪 Soil Erosion and Conservation
Soil erosion is the removal of the topsoil by natural forces like wind, water, and human activities.
Major causes:- Deforestation
- Overgrazing
- Shifting cultivation
- Poor farming techniques
Soil conservation methods:
- Afforestation
- Terracing
- Contour ploughing
- Use of organic manure and mulching
📚 Previous Year SSC/JKSSB One-Liners on Indian Soils
- Q: Which soil is most suitable for cotton? — Black Soil
- Q: What is the most widespread soil in India? — Alluvial Soil
- Q: Which soil is known as Regur Soil? — Black Soil
- Q: In which soil is laterization common? — Laterite Soil
- Q: Which soil is rich in iron but poor in nitrogen? — Red Soil
📌 Final Exam Pointers
- India has 8 major soil types based on ICAR classification.
- Alluvial soil is the most fertile and most widespread.
- Black soil retains moisture and is ideal for cotton.
- Laterite and Red soils need regular fertilization.
- Soil conservation is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
🌾 Tip for Exams: Focus on crop-soil matching, regions, and soil properties (like moisture, mineral content, and fertility).
