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Topic Soil fertility
Asked 7 times across 3 UPSC exams over 41 years (1981–2022), peaking in 2013.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 4 of 7 PYQs
- Most asked in 2013
- Recurs across 7 years (1981–2022)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1981 → CDS 2014 → CISF 2022
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (5 of 7) 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.
CISF2022
The organic component of soil, formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant materials that adds to the fertility of the soil is called :
- A Humus. ✓
- B Top soil.
- C B-horizon.
- D Mineralization.
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Geography › Physical Geography of India
CDS2021
Alluvial soils vary in nature from sandy loam to clay. They are generally
- A poor in potash and rich in phosphorus.
- B poor in both potash and phosphorus.
- C rich in both potash and phosphorus.
- D rich in potash and poor in phosphorus. ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Geography › Physical Geography of India
CDS2014
Which of the following statements regarding jhum cultivation in India are correct?
- It is largely practised in North-Eastern Indian states
- It is referred to as 'slash and burn' technique
- In it, the fertility of soil is exhausted in a few years
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 1 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3 ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Agriculture › Crops & Cropping Systems
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