1. Soil is formed by the process of:
A) Lithification
B) Weathering of rocks
C) Sedimentation
D) Crystallization
Answer: B
Explanation: Soil is formed by weathering of rocks and decomposition of organic matter.
2. The study of soils is called:
A) Pedology
B) Lithology
C) Geology
D) Petrology
Answer: A
Explanation: Pedology is the branch of science dealing with soils.
3. The vertical section of soil showing horizons is called:
A) Soil profile
B) Soil horizon
C) Soil type
D) Soil cover
Answer: A
Explanation: A soil profile is the vertical arrangement of soil horizons (O, A, B, C, R).
4. The top fertile horizon of soil is:
A) Horizon C
B) Horizon A
C) Horizon B
D) Horizon R
Answer: B
Explanation: A-Horizon (Topsoil) is rich in humus and organic matter.
5. The process of soil formation is known as:
A) Pedogenesis
B) Denudation
C) Diagenesis
D) Lithification
Answer: A
Explanation: Pedogenesis is the process of soil formation.
6. The classification of Indian soils was first done by:
A) ICAR
B) FAO
C) Wadia Committee
D) V.V. Dokuchaev
Answer: A
Explanation: ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) classified Indian soils into 8 categories.
7. Which factor does not influence soil formation?
A) Climate
B) Relief
C) Parent rock
D) Longitude
Answer: D
Explanation: Soil is affected by climate, relief, parent rock, organisms, time, not longitude.
8. The soils formed by deposition of rivers are called:
A) Alluvial soils
B) Black soils
C) Red soils
D) Arid soils
Answer: A
Explanation: Alluvial soils are formed by deposition of sediments from rivers.
9. Which soil is also known as “Regur Soil”?
A) Alluvial
B) Red
C) Black
D) Laterite
Answer: C
Explanation: Black soil (Regur) is suitable for cotton cultivation.
10. Red soil is red due to the presence of:
A) Potassium
B) Aluminium
C) Iron oxide
D) Nitrogen
Answer: C
Explanation: Iron oxide gives red colour to soils.
11. Laterite soils are formed under conditions of:
A) High rainfall & temperature
B) Dry and cold
C) Semi-arid
D) Desert
Answer: A
Explanation: Laterite soils form in hot, humid climates due to leaching.
12. The soil most affected by salinity and alkalinity is:
A) Black soil
B) Alluvial soil
C) Desert soil
D) Marshy soil
Answer: D
Explanation: Marshy/Saline soils have high salt content.
13. Which soil is found in Rajasthan and Gujarat deserts?
A) Black
B) Alluvial
C) Arid/Desert soil
D) Laterite
Answer: C
Explanation: Arid soils are sandy, alkaline, poor in humus.
14. The most fertile soil of India is:
A) Black soil
B) Red soil
C) Alluvial soil
D) Laterite soil
Answer: C
Explanation: Alluvial soil is the most fertile and widespread soil.
15. Which soil is poor in nitrogen but rich in iron?
A) Alluvial
B) Black
C) Red
D) Desert
Answer: C
Explanation: Red soil is poor in nitrogen, phosphorus, humus but rich in iron.
16. Soil formed in forested areas with high organic matter is called:
A) Desert soil
B) Forest soil
C) Red soil
D) Black soil
Answer: B
Explanation: Forest soils form under humid conditions, rich in humus.
17. Which soil covers the maximum area in India?
A) Red
B) Alluvial
C) Black
D) Laterite
Answer: B
Explanation: Alluvial soil (~40%) is the most widespread in India.
18. The soils of Indo-Gangetic plain are:
A) Residual soils
B) Transported soils
C) Lateritic soils
D) Black soils
Answer: B
Explanation: Alluvial soils in Indo-Gangetic plain are transported by rivers.
19. Which type of soil develops in high rainfall areas under good cover of vegetation?
A) Red soil
B) Black soil
C) Laterite soil
D) Forest soil
Answer: D
Explanation: Forest soils are common in Himalayan and hilly regions.
20. Which soil is suitable for tea cultivation in Assam?
A) Laterite soil
B) Alluvial soil
C) Forest soil
D) Red soil
Answer: C
Explanation: Forest soils in Assam hills are ideal for tea.
21. Which soil is known for water retention capacity?
A) Red soil
B) Black soil
C) Laterite soil
D) Desert soil
Answer: B
Explanation: Black soil (clayey) retains moisture, ideal for cotton.
22. Soil fertility can be restored by:
A) Crop rotation
B) Manures & fertilizers
C) Irrigation
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Fertility is improved by manures, crop rotation, irrigation.
23. Which is the youngest soil type in India?
A) Red soil
B) Black soil
C) Alluvial soil
D) Laterite soil
Answer: C
Explanation: Alluvial soil is the youngest, formed by recent deposits.
24. Which soil type has high clay content and forms cracks in dry season?
A) Black soil
B) Red soil
C) Alluvial soil
D) Desert soil
Answer: A
Explanation: Black soil shrinks and swells with moisture.
25. Leaching process is most prominent in which soil?
A) Alluvial soil
B) Red soil
C) Laterite soil
D) Black soil
Answer: C
Explanation: Laterite soils are formed by leaching under high rainfall.
26. The alluvial soils of the Indo-Gangetic plain are mainly formed by:
A) Weathering of basalt
B) Deposition by rivers
C) Leaching of laterite
D) Wind erosion
Answer: B
Explanation: Alluvial soils are depositional soils, formed by rivers like Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus.
27. Alluvial soils in India are of two types:
A) Bangar and Khadar
B) Regur and Red
C) Laterite and Desert
D) Residual and Transported
Answer: A
Explanation: Bangar (old alluvium) and Khadar (new alluvium) are the two types of alluvial soils.
28. Khadar soils are more fertile than Bangar because:
A) They are coarser
B) They are regularly renewed by floods
C) They have more humus
D) They are older
Answer: B
Explanation: Khadar soils are renewed every year by flood deposits, making them more fertile.
29. Which state has the largest area under alluvial soils?
A) Punjab
B) Uttar Pradesh
C) Bihar
D) West Bengal
Answer: B
Explanation: Uttar Pradesh has the maximum area under alluvial soils.
30. Black soils are also known as:
A) Khadar soils
B) Regur soils
C) Laterite soils
D) Bhangar soils
Answer: B
Explanation: Black soils are called Regur, common in Deccan plateau.
31. Black soils are most suitable for:
A) Wheat cultivation
B) Rice cultivation
C) Cotton cultivation
D) Jute cultivation
Answer: C
Explanation: Black soils are ideal for cotton cultivation due to moisture retention.
32. Black soils are widely found in:
A) Rajasthan
B) Indo-Gangetic plain
C) Maharashtra, MP, Gujarat, Telangana
D) Kerala and Karnataka coast
Answer: C
Explanation: Black soils are mainly in Deccan Plateau states – Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP, Telangana.
33. The cracks formed in black soils during dry season are due to:
A) High humus content
B) High clay content
C) Salinity
D) Wind erosion
Answer: B
Explanation: Black soils have high clay, swell in wet season, shrink and crack in dry season.
34. Red soils are widespread in:
A) Punjab
B) Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, AP, Odisha
C) Rajasthan desert
D) Kerala
Answer: B
Explanation: Red soils cover southern states and parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand.
35. The red colour of red soils is due to:
A) High humus
B) Iron oxide
C) Clay
D) Potassium
Answer: B
Explanation: Iron oxide gives red colour; yellowish when hydrated.
36. Red soils are generally deficient in:
A) Iron and Potassium
B) Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Humus
C) Calcium
D) All nutrients
Answer: B
Explanation: Red soils are poor in nitrogen, humus, phosphorus but rich in iron.
37. Laterite soils are found in which states?
A) Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha
B) Punjab, Haryana
C) Rajasthan, Gujarat
D) J&K, Himachal
Answer: A
Explanation: Laterite soils occur in high rainfall states like Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha.
38. Laterite soils are suitable for cultivation of:
A) Cotton
B) Rice and Tea
C) Wheat
D) Maize
Answer: B
Explanation: Laterite soils are good for rice, tea, cashew, coffee cultivation when manured.
39. Which soil type is most leached and infertile?
A) Black soil
B) Laterite soil
C) Alluvial soil
D) Red soil
Answer: B
Explanation: Laterite soil loses fertility due to heavy leaching in high rainfall areas.
40. Arid soils are found in:
A) Punjab and Haryana
B) Rajasthan, Gujarat, Western MP
C) Assam and Bengal
D) Kerala
Answer: B
Explanation: Arid soils occur in desert regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Western MP.
41. Arid soils are generally:
A) Alkaline and sandy
B) Acidic and clayey
C) Fertile
D) Rich in humus
Answer: A
Explanation: Arid soils are alkaline, sandy, low in humus.
42. Which state has the maximum area under black soils?
A) Gujarat
B) Maharashtra
C) MP
D) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: B
Explanation: Maharashtra has the largest black soil area.
43. Which soils are called “cotton soils”?
A) Alluvial soils
B) Black soils
C) Red soils
D) Laterite soils
Answer: B
Explanation: Black soils are called cotton soils due to their suitability for cotton.
44. Forest soils are found mostly in:
A) Deccan Plateau
B) Himalayas and NE India
C) Rajasthan
D) Punjab plains
Answer: B
Explanation: Forest soils occur in Himalayas and NE states, rich in humus.
45. In hilly regions, soils vary according to:
A) Altitude
B) Latitude
C) Rainfall
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: In hilly regions, soils vary with altitude, slope, rainfall, vegetation.
46. Black soils are deficient in:
A) Potash
B) Lime and Iron
C) Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Organic matter
D) Magnesium
Answer: C
Explanation: Black soils lack nitrogen, phosphorus, humus, but rich in lime, iron, potash.
47. Alluvial soils support the cultivation of:
A) Rice, Wheat, Sugarcane
B) Cotton, Groundnut
C) Tea, Coffee
D) Cashew, Rubber
Answer: A
Explanation: Alluvial soils are ideal for rice, wheat, sugarcane.
48. Laterite soils are widely cut and used for:
A) Fertilizers
B) Brick making
C) Cement
D) Road construction
Answer: B
Explanation: Laterite soils are used for bricks due to hardness.
49. The soils of Rajasthan desert are rich in:
A) Humus
B) Calcium carbonate and soluble salts
C) Nitrogen
D) Iron
Answer: B
Explanation: Desert soils contain calcium carbonate and soluble salts.
50. Which soil type is found in Meghalaya and Assam hills, suitable for tea?
A) Black soil
B) Laterite soil
C) Forest soil
D) Alluvial soil
Answer: C
Explanation: Forest soils in Assam and Meghalaya are ideal for tea plantations.
51. The removal of the top fertile layer of soil by natural agents is called:
A) Weathering
B) Soil erosion
C) Leaching
D) Desertification
Answer: B
Explanation: Soil erosion is the removal of topsoil by wind, water, or human activity.
52. The most fertile horizon of soil is:
A) Horizon A (topsoil)
B) Horizon B (subsoil)
C) Horizon C
D) Horizon R
Answer: A
Explanation: A horizon is rich in humus and nutrients, making it most fertile.
53. Sheet erosion refers to:
A) Deep cutting of soil by rivers
B) Removal of thin layer of soil uniformly
C) Wind erosion in deserts
D) Soil erosion along slopes
Answer: B
Explanation: Sheet erosion = uniform removal of a thin soil layer by rainfall/water flow.
54. Gully erosion leads to the formation of:
A) Plateaus
B) Ravines
C) Sand dunes
D) Terraces
Answer: B
Explanation: Gully erosion cuts deep channels, leading to ravines (e.g., Chambal ravines).
55. Wind erosion is most common in:
A) Assam
B) Rajasthan desert
C) Kerala
D) MP
Answer: B
Explanation: Wind erosion occurs in sandy deserts of Rajasthan.
56. Leaching is the process of:
A) Soil erosion by wind
B) Loss of nutrients by percolation of water
C) Soil formation
D) Fertility restoration
Answer: B
Explanation: Leaching = removal of soluble nutrients from soil by water movement.
57. Which soil conservation method is used in hilly areas?
A) Shelter belts
B) Contour ploughing & terracing
C) Wind breaks
D) Mulching
Answer: B
Explanation: Contour ploughing and terracing prevent erosion in hilly regions.
58. Which soil conservation method is used in desert regions?
A) Windbreaks and shelter belts
B) Terracing
C) Contour bunding
D) Check dams
Answer: A
Explanation: In deserts, shelter belts (rows of trees) reduce wind erosion.
59. The term “ravine land” is associated with which river basin?
A) Ganga
B) Yamuna
C) Chambal
D) Godavari
Answer: C
Explanation: Chambal valley (MP, Rajasthan) is notorious for ravine lands due to gully erosion.
60. Which crop is known as the “soil exhaustor”?
A) Rice
B) Maize
C) Sugarcane
D) Wheat
Answer: C
Explanation: Sugarcane exhausts soil fertility due to heavy nutrient requirement.
61. Which crop is considered a “soil enricher”?
A) Maize
B) Pulses (Legumes)
C) Cotton
D) Rice
Answer: B
Explanation: Leguminous crops fix atmospheric nitrogen, enriching soil fertility.
62. Which soil is best suited for wheat cultivation?
A) Alluvial soil
B) Black soil
C) Laterite soil
D) Desert soil
Answer: A
Explanation: Alluvial soil with good irrigation is ideal for wheat in Indo-Gangetic plains.
63. Which soil is most suitable for rice cultivation in coastal and deltaic regions?
A) Red soil
B) Laterite soil
C) Alluvial soil
D) Black soil
Answer: C
Explanation: Alluvial soils in deltas are fertile, ideal for rice.
64. Which soil is best suited for groundnut cultivation?
A) Black soil
B) Red soil
C) Laterite soil
D) Desert soil
Answer: B
Explanation: Red soils are good for groundnut, millets, pulses.
65. Tea cultivation in Assam and Darjeeling is supported by:
A) Black soils
B) Forest soils
C) Red soils
D) Laterite soils
Answer: B
Explanation: Forest soils in hilly regions (Assam, Darjeeling) are ideal for tea.
66. Which soil type is widely used for cotton cultivation?
A) Alluvial
B) Black (Regur)
C) Laterite
D) Red
Answer: B
Explanation: Black soils (Maharashtra, Gujarat) are known as cotton soils.
67. Which soil type supports jute cultivation?
A) Black soil
B) Alluvial soil of Ganga–Brahmaputra delta
C) Red soil
D) Laterite soil
Answer: B
Explanation: Jute grows best in new alluvial soils of Bengal & Assam.
68. Which soil is ideal for cashew nut plantations in Kerala & Karnataka?
A) Laterite soil
B) Alluvial soil
C) Red soil
D) Desert soil
Answer: A
Explanation: Laterite soils in coastal Kerala & Karnataka are ideal for cashew.
69. Which soil type is used for coffee cultivation in Karnataka?
A) Black soil
B) Red & Laterite soils
C) Desert soil
D) Alluvial soil
Answer: B
Explanation: Coffee thrives in red and laterite soils in Karnataka’s hilly areas.
70. Soil fertility can be increased by:
A) Crop rotation
B) Use of organic manures
C) Green manuring
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Fertility improves through manuring, crop rotation, green manuring.
71. The practice of growing different crops in alternate rows to protect soil is called:
A) Crop rotation
B) Mixed farming
C) Strip cropping
D) Contour farming
Answer: C
Explanation: Strip cropping prevents soil erosion by growing alternate rows of crops.
72. The Great Indian Desert (Thar) soils are deficient in:
A) Humus and Nitrogen
B) Lime and Iron
C) Potash
D) Phosphorus
Answer: A
Explanation: Desert soils are low in humus and nitrogen.
73. Which state is famous for “black cotton soils”?
A) Kerala
B) Maharashtra
C) Rajasthan
D) Bihar
Answer: B
Explanation: Maharashtra is famous for black cotton soils (Deccan Plateau).
74. Laterite soils are best suited for cultivation of:
A) Wheat and maize
B) Rice, cashew, tea, coffee
C) Cotton and sugarcane
D) Jute
Answer: B
Explanation: Laterites support rice, cashew, tea, coffee.
75. Which soil type is most prone to erosion in India?
A) Alluvial soil
B) Black soil
C) Laterite soil
D) Red soil
Answer: A
Explanation: Alluvial soils in floodplains are highly prone to erosion by rivers.
76. Which mission was launched in 2015 to improve soil health in India?
A) Green India Mission
B) Soil Health Card Scheme
C) National Watershed Mission
D) Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
Answer: B
Explanation: The Soil Health Card Scheme (2015) provides farmers soil nutrient status and fertilizer recommendations.
77. The Soil Health Card scheme provides data after testing soil samples every:
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: B
Explanation: Soil health cards are issued to farmers once every 2 years.
78. The “National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP)” is located at:
A) Hyderabad
B) Nagpur
C) New Delhi
D) Pune
Answer: B
Explanation: NBSS&LUP (Nagpur, 1976) is India’s premier soil research institute.
79. The ICAR classification of soils divides Indian soils into:
A) 5 groups
B) 6 groups
C) 8 groups
D) 10 groups
Answer: C
Explanation: ICAR classifies soils into 8 groups – alluvial, black, red, laterite, arid, forest, peaty, saline/alkaline.
80. Saline and alkaline soils are locally known as:
A) Regur
B) Reh/Kallar/Usar
C) Khadar
D) Bhangar
Answer: B
Explanation: In UP, Punjab & Haryana, saline soils are called Reh, Kallar, or Usar.
81. Which soil is found in the Sundarbans delta region?
A) Black soil
B) Peaty and marshy soil
C) Laterite soil
D) Desert soil
Answer: B
Explanation: Peaty & marshy soils occur in waterlogged areas like Sundarbans, Kerala backwaters.
82. Which soil type is richest in humus content?
A) Desert soil
B) Peaty soil
C) Red soil
D) Laterite soil
Answer: B
Explanation: Peaty soils (organic, waterlogged) are very rich in humus.
83. Soil carbon sequestration is important for:
A) Climate change mitigation
B) Water pollution
C) Urban planning
D) Oil exploration
Answer: A
Explanation: Storing carbon in soils reduces greenhouse gases, helping climate change mitigation.
84. Which state launched the “Bhoochetana Programme” for soil health?
A) Maharashtra
B) Karnataka
C) Gujarat
D) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: B
Explanation: Karnataka launched the Bhoochetana Programme to improve soil fertility.
85. Which soil conservation measure is followed in Chambal ravines?
A) Shelter belts
B) Contour ploughing
C) Afforestation & check dams
D) Mulching
Answer: C
Explanation: Chambal ravines are treated by check dams and afforestation.
86. India has set a target to restore how much degraded land by 2030 (UNCCD commitment)?
A) 15 million hectares
B) 21 million hectares
C) 26 million hectares
D) 30 million hectares
Answer: C
Explanation: India pledged at UNCCD COP14 to restore 26 million ha degraded land by 2030.
87. Which soil type covers the maximum geographical area in India?
A) Alluvial
B) Red
C) Black
D) Laterite
Answer: A
Explanation: Alluvial soils (~40% area) are the most widespread in India.
88. The Indo-Gangetic plains soils are mainly:
A) Black
B) Red
C) Alluvial
D) Laterite
Answer: C
Explanation: The Indo-Gangetic plains are covered by alluvial soils.
89. Which soil is most important for cotton cultivation in Deccan Plateau?
A) Red soil
B) Alluvial soil
C) Black soil (Regur)
D) Laterite soil
Answer: C
Explanation: Regur (black cotton soils) of Deccan are ideal for cotton.
90. The Desert Development Programme (DDP) was launched in:
A) 1972–73
B) 1980–81
C) 1990–91
D) 2000
Answer: A
Explanation: DDP (1972–73) aimed to check desertification in Rajasthan, Gujarat.
91. The Ravine Reclamation Project is mainly focused on:
A) Chambal Basin
B) Punjab
C) Ganga Delta
D) Assam Valley
Answer: A
Explanation: Chambal Basin ravines in MP–Rajasthan–UP are reclaimed through soil conservation projects.
92. “Watershed Development Programme” is related to:
A) Irrigation only
B) Soil and water conservation
C) Fertilizer use
D) Mining
Answer: B
Explanation: Watershed management = soil + water conservation at micro-level.
93. Which soil is predominant in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa’s coastal regions?
A) Desert soil
B) Laterite soil
C) Alluvial soil
D) Black soil
Answer: B
Explanation: Coastal Kerala, Goa, Karnataka have laterite soils.
94. The “Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)” indirectly helps soil conservation by:
A) Fertilizer subsidy
B) Efficient irrigation & reduced erosion
C) Expanding desert farming
D) Soil brick production
Answer: B
Explanation: PMKSY improves irrigation efficiency, reducing erosion and salinity.
95. Which soil degradation problem is most acute in Punjab and Haryana?
A) Salinity and waterlogging
B) Wind erosion
C) Desertification
D) Leaching
Answer: A
Explanation: Salinity + waterlogging due to over-irrigation is a big issue in Punjab–Haryana.
96. Which soil is most suitable for sugarcane cultivation in India?
A) Black soil
B) Alluvial soil
C) Laterite soil
D) Desert soil
Answer: B
Explanation: Alluvial soils of UP, Bihar, West Bengal support sugarcane.
97. “Mission Organic Value Chain Development” was launched mainly for which region?
A) NE India
B) Deccan Plateau
C) Indo-Gangetic Plains
D) Rajasthan Desert
Answer: A
Explanation: MOVCD (2015) focuses on North-East India for organic farming.
98. Which state has India’s largest saline desert soil region?
A) Rajasthan
B) Gujarat
C) Maharashtra
D) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: B
Explanation: Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch is India’s largest saline desert soil area.
99. The National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) includes:
A) Soil health management
B) Rainfed area development
C) Organic farming
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: NMSA (under NAPCC) covers soil health, water use, organic farming.
100. The “Bhoomi Rashi Portal” launched by Govt. of India deals with:
A) Soil health management
B) Land acquisition & digitization
C) Soil erosion monitoring
D) Afforestation schemes
Answer: B
Explanation: Bhoomi Rashi Portal manages land acquisition digitization, indirectly linked to land–soil management.