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Topic Soil degradation
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 40 years (1979–2019), peaking in 2011.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2011
- Recurs across 3 years (1979–2019)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1979 → CDS 2019
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (2 of 3) predate 2016, and it still returns.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CDS2019
The term soil impoverishment relates to which one of the following ?
- A Soil erosion ✓
- B Soil deposition
- C Soil getting very deficient in plant nutrients
- D Soil getting enriched with plant nutrients
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Geography › Physical Geography of India
CSE2011
Salinization occurs when the irrigation water accumulated in the soil evaporates, leaving behind salts and minerals. What are the effects of salinization on the irrigated land?
- A It greatly increases the crop production
- B It makes some soils impermeable ✓
- C It raises the water table
- D It fills the air spaces in the soil with water
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Geography › Physical Geography of India
CSE1979
Salinizationoccurs when the irrigation water accumulated in the soil evaporates, leaving behind salts and minerals. What are the effects of salinization on the irrigated land?
- A It greatly increases the crop production.
- B It makes some soils impermeable. ✓
- C It raises the water table.
- D It fills the air spaces in the soil with water.
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Agriculture › Irrigation & Water
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