> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.upscprep.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Major soil types in India - URL: https://www.upscprep.com/major-soil-types-in-india/ - Published: 2024-05-03T12:58:38.000Z - Updated: 2024-05-03T13:53:21.000Z - Description: GS1 | Geography - Author: UPSCprep.com - Tags: Previse 2025, UPSC Prelims, #show-toc In the ancient period, the classification was based on **soil fertility** (Urvara) or **sterility** (Usara). The Soil Survey of India and the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning under the Indian Council of Agriculture Research have studied the classification of Indian soil. ![Soil Map of India | Types of Soils in India | UPSC](https://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/india/india-map-of-soils.jpg) ## **Major Types** ### **Alluvial Soil** - Mostly available soil in India (about 43%) and widespread in northern plains and river valleys, while in peninsular India, they are found in deltas and estuaries. - Highly fertile and rich in humus, potash, lime, and organic matter. - They are depositional soil i.e transported and deposited by rivers, streams, etc. - New alluvium is termed as Khadar and old alluvium is termed as Bhangar. - But the soil is poor in phosphorus. - Main crops are wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane, pulses, oilseed, etc. ![Alluvial Soil | Types of Soil in India | UPSC](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/1.png) ![Majot Soil Types | Alluvial Soil | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/RmmrbFLPSTILgbxluBWYpbDGMMscl3t7VItxAyTMaVKgb5nDiGdlOoHdENFVbeaa4vnV3c0L_qWgC3UNfpsHk0TjVAqhCaci0u1BzjTSozv45IBhZxDdvR1-iG2Np0VHoW3v75cWUC7N3OuNf9ehiY8) --- ### **Red Soil** - It is formed from basement rock of plateau-like regions in low-rainfall areas. - The structure of soil is porous and friable. - It is rich in iron but there is absence of lime, phosphate, manganese, nitrogen, humus, potash and calcium carbonate. - The soil is red in color because of ferric oxide and the lower layer is reddish-yellow. - Crops like wheat, cotton, pulses, tobacco, oilseeds, potatoes, etc. can be cultivated. ![Red Soil | Types of Soil in India | UPSC](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/2.png) ![Majot Soil Types | Red Soil | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/TI99HXbdG_WPIW-aZxaCUT2l0QDYz2hLtqyVRNVcnyHBongDWQo96vAsO0pZ6pTsIXPpVOqplNRSY3Ds0LRDxLSlRRIRDMAwyCZjKze0heP6hwxDoI2U1Q-qmwG153KMhf4hhJAybJBum5HMdgKOLFQ) --- ### **Black Soil / Regur soil** - Regur soil is also a structural soil formed from basaltic rocks. Most of the Deccan plateau is occupied by black soil. - It has high water retaining capacity and is best soil for cotton cultivation. - It becomes sticky when wet and shrinks when dried with self-plowing as a characteristic feature. - The soil is rich in iron, lime, calcium, potassium, aluminum, and magnesium but is deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter. - Normally it is deep black colored. But this variation is visible when one moves from south to north along western coastal plains. - It is light black in Karnataka, brownish black in Maharashtra and deep black in Gujarat. ![Black Soil | Types of Soil in India | UPSC](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/3.png) ![Majot Soil Types | Black Soil / Regur soil | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/m8uKtNcyoHhGgwF5oRPVu8vLxBoequkqfGvkwadYub6Qm3xKLDVIhhuY36uO9ov9Qr7Gv2aatmcobSubdG9fGg8hwnKpuLrbIjIdrlMiiXpkNkn0flpFoextdAPO9Te4oJxXRX3v4S50N9yGGh_0wUM) --- ### **Laterite Soil** - The name of this soil is derived from the Latin word ‘Later’ which means Brick and becomes soft when wet and hard when dried. - It is found In areas of high temperature and rainfall, and formed as a result of high leaching. - This results in loss of lime and silica due to rainfall, and organic matter due to action of bacteria. - The soil is rich in Iron and Aluminum but deficient in humus content, nitrogen, potash, potassium, lime. - It is red in color due to iron oxide. - Crops like Rice, Ragi, Sugarcane, and Cashew nuts can be grown. ![Laterite Soil | Types of Soil in India | UPSC](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/4.png) ![Majot Soil Types | Laterite Soil | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/c9jHw2oj3rAk51YyJ0tXaEmb-GmJ865kTjvm-GfZSUnv3_zWmDH4Buk55u0cSxTzVdHGIVBNqmj3FlutaT99YuKm2XhFUL6YEmwHwPIFJw5pbJWAA2PMDyDr4wKqQDqQx4XPiDnYBcQ_wSi0FCGhLNM) --- ### **Desert / Arid Soil** - These are gradational and depositional soils found in arid and semi-arid conditions. - Formed due to wind activities, they lack moisture and humus. - Salt and Calcium carbonate content is high which restricts the infiltration of water. - Nitrogen is insufficient and Phosphate is normal. ![Desert and Arid Soil | types of soil in India | UPSC](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/5.png) ![Majot Soil Types | Desert / Arid Soil | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/Uz8AhFFUM-XjgQU3polXT4S_52dUUG5ApMbCIm6cTvtEiehcps1yOiiWgIHRG0tX0kgwnbXS-uTCqnYnddzW3dKXIhI4uiH8ZeuLYOFrtkXeRwimPW5ypGlGELUo_Wq7kFZqp50CdBp6SsOcjfHj4V0) --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/04/image-53.png) [Join Now](https://courses.upscprep.com/products?ref=upscprep.com) --- ## **Minor Types** ### **Forest Soil** - Forest soils are found in higher altitudes and densely forested regions. - They are acidic with a shallow topsoil layer and less humus. - These soils are not suitable for intensive agriculture. - They are suitable for horticulture, tea, and temperate crops like apples and potatoes. ![Forest Soil | Types of Soil in India | UPSC](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/6-2.png) ![Major Soil types | Forest Soil | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/NNMhUVYH3ShtdFJLpDNSX0HnRag0Yito4iO0e9usX7L1rGW3U9cyRSnIodQnHshuCHzrs5XxyoU09SePhnfYPwQptG6mvgwfak0Vfg_XH1rNcObGKkdN_255njKcnUHWdzKfNjfIinbh0L07kT1Er4o) --- ### **Peaty / Marshy Soil** - This soil is in areas with high rainfall and humidity with very low vegetation growth. - Dead organic matter is high making the soil alkaline and black colored. - These soils are found in areas with high water tables like Kerala backwaters, northeastern India etc and are highly acidic. - They can support wetland agriculture and are suitable for rice and aquatic crops. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/Red-Soil.png) ![Major Soil types | Peaty / Marshy Soil | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/fUg7yOV8G3FVXcYyL5eEy9UCj4MstxmMsd-BViSv3-H6meThIaFfPfIbNqQrwPT9iWlq_vOBovW-fXz9VzMedKErOdRgynbJA6pVgFmwmPN1zy77sBKtKnJwxqjDPaOekFnNk-8iVYkxoH42nbLsI-E) --- ### **Saline and Alkaline Soils** - Saline soils are found in coastal areas due to intrusion of seawater, and in arid regions due to calcification. - They are unsuitable for most crops due to alkalinity. - But these soils can be reclaimed for agriculture through drainage and soil amendments as done by the National Dairy Development Board for fodder crops. ![ Major Soil types | Saline and Alkaline Soils| UPSC](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/QA-IcndtOlN2OeGFTw8C36SoSjprb-Zt78hJkLG_QMbpAd1HFCc6V5zagXVyI8IQoemL37sZagIgEjyIwomhVA9UhBhpLcayHDLkHQeZldQLR7oNNdFIkbN48shl9C_cpbMEuyxAY3nIyAXiyKSxh4o.png) ![ Major Soil types | Saline and Alkaline Soils| UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/TQAKWSUX2eRwobCZjDu0GaemmwPcc2WCH5K_5zsgiE_2ho8sCxo-h3mRKmOL8S2H36DX_49U8xXnmUDVWMGeMUzbD9Qi5wQQmEY_-l0jSi_Y4jxRhFng8LPqqitPs1kfnsy44V3ikXGfVdR2wZ1a8XY) ## Sign up for UPSCprep.com Simplify your UPSC journey Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.