Which of the following soil types in India is formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternating dry and wet periods, leading to intense leaching of silica?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Laterite soils develop in tropical regions characterized by high temperatures and heavy seasonal rainfall, which trigger intense leaching of soluble silica and leave behind insoluble oxides of iron and aluminum. This leaching process renders the soil acidic and generally poor in fertility unless heavily fertilized. These soils are extensively found in parts of the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and northeastern states. Indian soil classification and distribution are important topics in physical geography.