Q40. Which assertion about black soil is incorrect?
[UPPCS Preliminary (2018)]
- (A) It is called regur
- (B) It is moisture-retentive
- (C) It is associated with mature Deccan soils
- (D) It is characteristically located in the Himalayas
Answer: (D) It is characteristically located in the Himalayas
Explanation: Black regur soil is extensive in the basaltic Deccan and nearby central-western regions, not mainly in Himalayan mountains. Its clay-rich texture helps retain moisture. The Himalayas instead have varied shallow, mountain and forest soils according to altitude and climate.
Q39. In which Himalayan region are Karewa deposits associated with saffron cultivation?
[64th BPSC Preliminary (2018)]
- (A) Kashmir Himalaya
- (B) Garhwal Himalaya
- (C) Nepal Himalaya
- (D) Eastern Himalaya
Answer: (A) Kashmir Himalaya
Explanation: Karewas are distinctive lacustrine and associated deposits of the Kashmir Valley. Some well-drained parts support saffron cultivation, historically important in Kashmir. These deposits differ from the widespread river alluvium of the Indo-Gangetic plains.
Q38. Which soil region is a characteristic feature of the Peninsular Plateau?
[SSC Scientific Assistant, Physics (23 November 2017, Shift 2)]
- (A) Black-soil area
- (B) Laterite-only area
- (C) Red-soil-only area
- (D) Alluvial-only area
Answer: (A) Black-soil area
Explanation: Parts of the Peninsular Plateau, particularly the Deccan Trap, have extensive black cotton soils formed on basalt. The plateau has additional soil types, but the volcanic black-soil tract is a recognized distinguishing feature in Indian physical geography.
Q37. Northern Plains owe their formation chiefly to which kind of deposit?
[SSC Scientific Assistant, Physics (23 November 2017, Shift 2)]
- (A) Coral
- (B) Alluvial
- (C) Volcanic ash
- (D) Lava
Answer: (B) Alluvial
Explanation: Northern river systems transported eroded material from the Himalayas and other highlands into a subsiding basin. Accumulated alluvium built the broad plains. Coral, lava and volcanic ash do not explain the extensive sedimentary origin of this region.
Q36. Which stated goal belongs to the Soil Health Card Scheme? 1. Expand land under irrigation. 2. Set farm-bank loan ceilings. 3. Discourage excessive fertilizer use.
[UPSC CSE Preliminary (2017)]
- (A) 1 and 2 only
- (B) 3 only
- (C) 2 and 3 only
- (D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 3 only
Explanation: The Soil Health Card Scheme reports soil nutrient status and gives guidance for balanced fertilizer application. Its purpose includes reducing indiscriminate fertilizer use and improving soil management. It does not directly set loan amounts or expand irrigated area.
Q35. Which agricultural practices conserve water? 1. Reduced tillage. 2. Gypsum applied routinely before irrigation. 3. Retaining crop residues.
[UPSC CSE Preliminary (2017)]
- (A) 1 and 2 only
- (B) 3 only
- (C) 1 and 3 only
- (D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Reduced tillage can protect soil structure and improve infiltration, while retained crop residues reduce evaporation and surface runoff. Gypsum is a soil amendment for specific problematic soils rather than a routine water-conservation technique for every field.
Q34. Which soil occupies the largest share of India’s land area?
[WBCS Preliminary (2017)]
- (A) Laterite
- (B) Red
- (C) Black
- (D) Alluvial
Answer: (D) Alluvial
Explanation: Alluvial soils are the most extensive major geographical soil group in India. They dominate the northern river plains and occur in several coastal deltas. Their productivity is important for crops including wheat, rice, sugarcane and pulses.
Q33. Which soil group is most widespread across India?
[Chhattisgarh PSC Preliminary (2017)]
- (A) Alluvial
- (B) Black
- (C) Red
- (D) Forest
Answer: (A) Alluvial
Explanation: Rivers carry and deposit large volumes of sediment across extensive Indian plains and deltas, producing alluvial soil. This group occupies more land than any other familiar geographical soil type. Its agricultural importance follows from generally favorable fertility and water availability.
Q32. Which type of soil is laid down by rivers?
[63rd BPSC Preliminary (2017)]
- (A) Red
- (B) Black
- (C) Alluvial
- (D) Laterite
Answer: (C) Alluvial
Explanation: Alluvial soil comprises sediment transported and deposited by flowing water. Active floodplains receive comparatively young khadar material, while higher terraces preserve older bhangar deposits. Such soils are extensive along the Ganga and other important river systems.
Q31. Which soil occurs largely in Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Champaran districts?
[63rd BPSC Preliminary (2017)]
- (A) Black
- (B) New alluvium
- (C) Old alluvium
- (D) Red
Answer: (B) New alluvium
Explanation: Northern Bihar districts receive sediment from Himalayan-fed rivers such as the Gandak and Bagmati. These deposits include relatively new alluvium that can be renewed by flooding. The soils support important crops including rice, wheat and sugarcane.
