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Geography & Environment · Indian Geography

Indian Soils: 51 previous year questions

UPSC has asked 51 questions on Indian Soils between 2001 and 2026: CDS 18 · CSE 10 · NDA 9 · Geo-Scientist 6 · CAPF 4 · CISF (LDCE) 3 · EPFO (APFC) 1. 42 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 10 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.

Practise these 51, one at a timeRead the questions

Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.

CDS2026 · 1Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Which of the following statements about the Black Soils of India is/are correct? 1. Black Soils cover most of the Deccan Plateau. 2. Also known as ‗Regur‘, they are generally clayey, deep and impermeable. 3. Since they are impermeable, rainfed crops do not grow well in Black Soils. Select the answer using the codes given below:

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Correct: black soils cover most of the Deccan Plateau and (Regur) are clayey, deep and impermeable | NOT: rainfed crops do grow well (moisture retention)
CDS2025 · 1Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Which of the following statements with reference to saline soil in India is/are correct ? 1. They are rich in nitrogen. 2. They occur in arid and semi-arid regions, and in waterlogged and swampy areas. Select the answer using the code given below :

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Correct: saline soils occur in arid/semi-arid regions and waterlogged swampy areas | NOT: they are poor, not rich, in nitrogen
CISF (LDCE)2025Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Consider the following statements: I. Black soil helps the rain-fed crops to sustain during the dry season. II. Black soil can retain moisture for a very long time. Which one of the following is true about the statements given above?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Both true, II explains I: black soil sustains rain-fed crops in the dry season because it retains moisture for a long time
Geo-Scientist2025Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·2

Consider the following characteristics of a type of soil as given by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) : 1. It develops in poorly drained areas. 2. It is largely composed of slowly decomposing plant material. 3. It is common in Tundra areas. On the basis of the above characteristics, identify the type of soil.

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Poorly drained, slowly decomposing plant material, common in Tundra: Histosols
NDA2025 · 2Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·2

Which of the following statements with reference to soil forming processes is/are correct? 1. Translocation, enrichment, removal and transformation are different classes of soil forming processes 2. In translocation, fine particles are transported downward by eluviation and accumulate in lower horizons by illuviation Select the answer using the code given below:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Both correct: translocation, enrichment, removal and transformation are classes of soil-forming processes; in translocation fines move down by eluviation and accumulate by illuviation
CAPF2024Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Consider the following statements : 1. Black soil is considered suitable for growing rain-fed crops 2. Black soil can retain moisture for a prolonged period, aiding crops to survive even in dry seasons With regard to the statements given above which of the following is/are correct ?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Both correct and 2 explains 1: black soil suits rain-fed crops because it retains moisture for long periods
Geo-Scientist2024Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·2

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a typical soil profile from top to bottom ?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Soil profile, top to bottom: humus - topsoil - eluviation zone - subsoil - weathered parent material
NDA2024 · 1Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Which of the following statements regarding Regur is/are correct? 1. It is a light coloured, clayey and fertile soil. 2. It is developed on Deccan basaltic lava under hot and humid conditions. 3. Cotton is extensively cultivated in this soil. Select the answer using the code given below:

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Correct: Regur developed on Deccan basaltic lava; cotton is extensively grown on it | NOT: it is dark, not light coloured
NDA2024 · 1Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Consider the following statements regarding soils: 1. Soils having a very high content of sodium and calcium and pH of more than 7.0 are alkaline soils. 2. Black cotton soil had developed on the Deccan basaltic lava under hot and humid conditions. 3. Laterite soils are characterised by a deep weathered layer from which silica has been leached. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)All correct: high sodium/calcium soils with pH above 7.0 are alkaline; black cotton soil developed on Deccan basaltic lava; laterite has a deep weathered layer with silica leached out
NDA2024 · 2Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Which one among the following statements with reference to the black cotton soils of India is NOT correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Not correct: black cotton soils are clay-rich (not low clay); they are Regur, moisture-retentive and rich in lime
CAPF2023Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Consider the following statements about Laterite soil found in India : 1. Laterite soil is found in high altitudes of Himalaya. 2. It is a very fertile soil. 3. It is a red colour soil due to presence of iron oxide. 4. It is poor in Nitrogen. Potash and organic matter. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct ?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Correct: laterite is red due to iron oxide and poor in nitrogen, potash and organic matter | NOT: found in high Himalaya; NOT: very fertile
CDS2023 · 1Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Consider the following characteristics of a soil type : 1. These soils consist of various proportions of sand, silt and clay. 2. These soils contain adequate proportions of potash, phosphoric acid and lime. 3. These soils can be further classified on the basis of their age. Identify the type of soil on the basis of the given characteristics.

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Varying sand, silt and clay with adequate potash, phosphoric acid and lime: alluvial soil
CDS2023 · 2Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Identify the type of soil on the basis of given characteristics : 1. They contain a large proportion of sodium, potassium and magnesium, and thus, they are infertile. 2. Their structure ranges from sandy to loamy. 3. They are more widespread in western Gujarat, deltas of the eastern coast and in Sunderban areas of West Bengal. Choose correct option

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Answer D (official UPSC key)High sodium, potassium and magnesium, infertile, sandy to loamy, in western Gujarat, east-coast deltas and Sunderbans: saline soil
CDS2022 · 1Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·2

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists : List I (Soil Type) List II (Salient Characteristic) A. Entisols 1. Soils having weakly or quickly developed horizons B. Inceptisols 2. Weakly developed soils with no horizons C. Histosols 3. These soils are very old and highly weathered D. Oxisols 4. These soils have very high quantity of organic matter in the upper layers

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Entisols - weakly developed, no horizons; Inceptisols - weakly developed horizons; Histosols - high organic matter in upper layers; Oxisols - very old, highly weathered
Geo-Scientist2022Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·2

Which one of the following is correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Correct: humus accumulates in cold climates (slow decomposition)
CDS2021 · 1Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Identify the type of soil on the basis of the given characteristics : 1. They are rich in lime, iron, magnesia and alumina. 2. They are generally clayey, deep and impermeable. 3. They are mainly found in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Select the correct answer from the given alternatives :

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Rich in lime, iron, magnesia and alumina, clayey, deep, impermeable, found in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat: black soil
CDS2019 · 2Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·2

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: List I (Soil type) List II (Major characteristic) A. Oxisols 1. Very rich in organic matter B. Vertisols 2. Soil lacking horizons C. Histosols 3. Very old and highly weathered D. Entisols 4. Rich in clay content and highly basic

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Oxisols - very old and highly weathered; Vertisols - rich in clay, highly basic; Histosols - very rich in organic matter; Entisols - lacking horizons
CSE2018Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·2

With reference to agricultural soils, consider the following statements: [2018-I] 1. High content of organic matter in soil drastically reduces its water holding capacity. 2. Soil does not play any role in the Sulphur cycle. 3. Irrigation over a period of time can contribute to the salinization of some agricultural lands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Correct: irrigation over time can salinize some agricultural land | NOT: organic matter raises (not reduces) water-holding capacity; NOT: soil does play a role in the sulphur cycle
CDS2016 · 1Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Consider the following statements regarding laterite soils of India: 1. Laterite soils are generally red in colour 2. Laterite soils are rich in nitrogen and potash 3. Laterite soils are well developed in Rajasthan and UP 4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well in this soil Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Laterite soils are generally red and suit tapioca and cashew | NOT: rich in nitrogen and potash; NOT: well developed in Rajasthan and UP
CDS2016 · 2Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Which of the following statements regarding soil is/are correct? 1. Alluvial soils are rich in nitrogen content. 2. Black soils are rich in iron and lime but deficient in nitrogen. 3. Laterite soils are rich in iron and aluminium but deficient in nitrogen and potassium. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Correct: black soils are rich in iron and lime but poor in nitrogen; laterite soils are rich in iron and aluminium but poor in nitrogen and potassium | NOT: alluvial soils are not rich in nitrogen
CSE2015Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·2

What can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture? [2015-I] 1. The proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in soil can occur. 2. Increase in the acidity of soil can take place. 3. Leaching of nitrate to the ground-water can occur. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Excess nitrogenous fertilizer can raise soil acidity and leach nitrate into groundwater | NOT: proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms
CSE2013Indian SoilsOn card GEO 14·1

Which of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct? 1. They are generally red in colour. 2. They are rich in nitrogen and potash. 3. They are well-developed in Rajasthan and UP. 4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Laterite soils are generally red and suit tapioca and cashew | NOT: rich in nitrogen and potash; NOT: well developed in Rajasthan and UP
CSE2002Indian SoilsOn card GEO 15·6

With reference to India, which one of the following statements is not correct?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Not correct: wells are not the dominant source of irrigation nationwide (key B); one-third of area gets over 750 mm rain, alluvium dominates the northern plains, mountains are about thirty per cent of area

Related topics

India: Location, States, Boundaries & Neighbours · 42Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & Islands · 83Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River Projects · 153Indian Climate & Monsoon · 35Natural Vegetation & Forests of India · 40Agriculture: Crops, Irrigation & Farming Systems · 125Minerals & Energy Resources · 71Industries & Industrial Regions · 22Transport, Ports & Communication · 71Population, Settlements, Urbanisation & Tribes · 77