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Classification of Soil in India includes Alluvial soils, Black soils, Red soils, Laterite and Lateritic soils, and Forest and Mountain soils. The topmost layer of the continental crust is made up of soil, which contains weathered sand particles. India's soils are the result of both natural and human-made influences. Soil is a mixture of small rock fragments/debris and organic materials/humus that forms on the earth's surface and supports plant growth. The soil is the topmost layer of the Earth's crust. It develops due to rock weathering under the influence of the environment, flora, relief, and parent rock. The vast nation of India has a variety of geology, relief, climate, and vegetation. India, hence, has many different soil types that are unique from one another.
Classification of Soil in India is among the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the geography subject in the Mains General Studies Paper-1 syllabus and General Studies Paper-1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.
In this article, we shall study in detail the features and classification of soil in India.
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Soil is a naturally occurring mixture of mineral and organic components, as well as living organisms, that together support the growth of plants. It is a vital natural resource that is essential for human survival and plays a critical role in sustaining life on Earth.
Soil formation is a complex process that involves the breakdown of rocks and organic matter by physical, chemical, and biological processes. Over time, the gradual decomposition of rocks and organic matter forms a mixture of minerals, organic compounds, and living organisms that we call soil.
Soils of India are divided into eight categories by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The All India Soil Survey Committee was founded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 1963, and it categorized Indian soils into eight broad types. This is a highly reasonable classification of Indian soils and has a lot of support. ICAR divided India into the following groups:
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Also, read NCERT Notes For Geography on Volcanoes here.
Distribution of Soil in India Map
The major soil types in India include the following:
Alluvial soils are created by silt carried by rivers like the Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra and coastal wave action. They cover around 46% of India's land, supporting over 40% of its population.
These soils are young and not fully developed, with mostly sandy texture and some clay. They vary from loamy to sandy loam in drier areas and clayey loam near the delta.
Types of Allluvial Soil
They are low in nitrogen but have sufficient levels of potash, phosphoric acid, and alkalies. Iron oxide and lime content can vary.
It is found throughout the Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra plains, except for areas covered in desert sand. Also, deltas like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery are known as deltaic alluvium. Some regions in Narmada, Tapi valleys, and parts of Gujarat have alluvial soils.
Well-suited for agriculture, especially rice, wheat, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, jute, maize, oilseeds, vegetables, and fruits.
Alluvium in India's Great Plain is divided into newer khadar and older bhangar soils.
Rainfall above 100cm is suitable for paddy, 50-100cm for wheat, sugarcane, tobacco, and cotton, and below 50cm for coarse grains.
Alluvial Soil
Red soils develop on Archean granite and cover a significant portion of India.
Their characteristics vary based on rainfall, with some types suitable for quick drainage. They are rich in iron and potash but deficient in other minerals.
Features of Red Soil
Generally low in phosphate, lime, magnesia, humus, and nitrogen.
It is found in the Peninsula from Tamil Nadu to Bundelkhand, Raj Mahal to Kathiawad.
Supports rice, sugarcane, cotton, millet, and pulses. Kaveri and Vaigai basins are famous for red alluvium and are suitable for paddy.
Also, read NCERT Notes for Geography on Endogenic Process here.
These soils are formed from the weathering of basaltic rocks that emerged during fissure eruptions in the Cretaceous period. They are typical in dry and hot regions.
Black soils are highly clayey, making them fertile. They retain moisture well, swell when moist, and crack in summer, allowing for oxygenation.
Features of Black Soil
They are rich in iron and lime but lack humus, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
It is found in the Deccan lava plateau region. It covers parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.
Ideal for cotton, hence called regur and black cotton soil. Also suitable for wheat, jowar, linseed, tobacco, castor, sunflower, millets, rice, sugarcane, vegetables, and fruits.
Regular Soil/Black Soil
Also, read NCERT Notes for Geography on Tropical Cyclone here!
Desert soil is primarily found in arid and semi-arid regions. It includes Rajasthan, West of the Aravallis, Northern Gujarat, Saurashtra, Kachchh, Western parts of Haryana, and southern Punjab.
Desert soil is found in western Rajasthan, the Rann of Kachchh. It is found in patches in southern Haryana and southern Punjab.
Desert Soil
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Develops where laterite rock or structure exists, with alternating dry and wet periods.
Brown in color, composed of hydrated oxides of aluminum and iron. Rich in iron and aluminum but poor in other nutrients.
Laterite Soil
This soil is primarily found on mountains with steep slopes, high relief, and shallow profiles.
The characteristics of mountain soil include:
Mountain soil is typically found at altitudes above 900 meters. These soils occur in regions like:
Mountain Soil
Saline and alkaline soils contain a high content of sodium chloride (NaCl). They are generally infertile. These soils are also known as Reh, Usar, Kallar, Rakar, Thur, and Chopan.
Saline and alkaline soil can form naturally, such as in dried-up lakes of Rajasthan and the Rann of Kutch. They also form due to anthropogenic factors like faulty agriculture in western UP and Punjab.
This soil lacks moisture and living microorganisms, leading to almost absent humus formation.
They are mainly found in regions like Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra.
Alkaline and Saline Soil
This soil originates in areas with poor drainage and is rich in organic matter but has high salinity. It is deficient in potash and phosphate.
Peaty Soil
Type of Soil |
Feature |
Color |
Texture |
Alluvial soil |
The alluvium is made up of finer rock particles formed by sea waves, Rivers. |
Light Grey to Ash Grey. |
Sandy to silty loam or clay |
Red soil |
It is formed by weathering granites, gneisses, crystalline rocks, Ragi, groundnuts, millets, and tobacco grown well in these soils. |
Reddish to Brownish |
Sandy to clay and loamy. |
Black soil |
Get its name black coloration of the Basalt rock, suited for cotton production. |
Deep black to light black. |
Clayey |
Arid and Desert soils |
low in nitrogen, humus, phosphates, and nitrates – making them unsuitable for cultivation |
Red to Brown |
Sandy |
Laterite and Lateritic soils |
Acidic in higher elevations, low in calcium and magnesium – useful in growing rice as well as plantation crops such as cashew, rubber |
Red color due to iron oxide |
thick loam to clayey |
Mountain soils |
Ideal for growing plantation crops such as tea, coffee, spices, and tropical fruits |
dark brown color |
clayey silt to loamy texture |
Saline and Alkaline soils |
These soils are infertile and uncultivable |
white alkali or brown alkali |
sandy to loamy |
Peaty Soils |
forms in hot, humid conditions |
dark, almost black in hue |
spongy |
Also, read NCERT Notes For Geography on Earthquakes here.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Soil Taxonomy, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has classified Indian soil based on its order and percentage.
S.No |
Order |
Percentage |
1. |
Inceptisols |
39.74 |
2. |
Entisols |
28.08 |
3. |
Alfisols |
13.55 |
4. |
Vertisols |
8.52 |
5. |
Aridisols |
4.28 |
6. |
Ultisols |
2.51 |
7. |
Mollisols |
0.40 |
8. |
Others |
2.92 |
In this article, we studied the Classification of Soil in India along with its features. To study more topics from Indian Geography for UPSC, download the Testbook App now!
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