UPSC Prelims Marathon 24 April – Soil & its distribution in India – 2025

With reference to Black Soil in India, consider the following statements:
1.Black soil is commonly found in the Deccan Plateau, particularly in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
2.Black soils are rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, which makes them highly fertile for all types of crops.
3.The soil exhibits a characteristic of ‘self-ploughing’ due to the development of wide cracks during the dry season.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements regarding Red and Yellow Soils in India:
1.Red soil develops predominantly over crystalline igneous rocks in regions receiving low rainfall.
2.Yellow coloration in soil indicates the presence of iron in a hydrated form.
3.Red and yellow soils are uniformly fertile across both fine-grained and coarse-grained types.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to Saline Soils in India, consider the following statements:
1.Saline soils are rich in calcium and support good vegetative growth.
2.These soils are commonly found in the Rann of Kutch, Sunderbans, and deltas of the eastern coast.
3.Excessive irrigation in dry climatic conditions can lead to salinisation of alluvial soils.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to Forest Soils in India, consider the following statements:
1.Forest soils are generally loamy and silty in the valley regions but become coarse-grained in the upper slopes.
2.In snow-bound Himalayan areas, forest soils are rich in humus and highly fertile.
3.Soils in the lower valleys of forested regions are more fertile compared to those on higher altitudes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to soil conservation in India, consider the following statements:
1.Shelter belts and agro-forestry are effective techniques to prevent sand dune encroachment in arid regions.
2.Integrated land use planning considers climatic conditions, land configuration, and social behaviour of people for effective soil conservation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to soils and their classification in India, consider the following statements:
1.Horizon A of a soil profile contains both organic matter and mineral nutrients essential for plant growth.
2.In ancient India, soils were classified primarily based on their fertility as Urvara and Usara.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?