Discuss types of soils and their distribution in India.

Major Soil Types of India and Their Spatial Distribution (ICAR Classification):

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) divides Indian soils into 8 Major Classes, with the four dominant types covering $>85$ of the area:

• 1. Alluvial Soil (जलोढ़ मिट्टी - ~40% - Largest):
  • Distribution: Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra plains (Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar, WB, Assam) and coastal deltas.
  • Traits: Immature, rich in potash/lime, deficient in nitrogen; divided into Khadar (new fertile alluvium) and Bhangar (older alluvium with kankar nodules). Highly productive for Wheat, Rice, Sugarcane.
• 2. Black Soil / Regur (काली मिट्टी - ~15%):
  • Distribution: Deccan Lava Plateau—Maharashtra, Gujarat, Western MP, Northern Karnataka.
  • Traits: High clay content, high moisture retention, self-ploughing; ideal for Cotton (Black Cotton Soil) and Soybean.
• 3. Red and Yellow Soil (लाल-पीली मिट्टी - ~18.5%):
  • Distribution: Eastern/Southern Deccan Plateau (Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Eastern MP, Tamil Nadu). Sandy-loam; rich in iron, deficient in N, P, humus; ideal for Rice and Millets.
• 4. Laterite Soil (लैटेराइट - ~3.7%): Western Ghats, Meghalaya plateau, exposed to heavy monsoonal leaching; ideal for Tea, Coffee, Cashew.