The largest soil group of India is

Among these, red soil covers the largest area of India.

Black soil, rich in clay, covers a smaller share, mainly of the Deccan.

Sandy soil is limited chiefly to the arid western regions.

Mountain soil is confined to the hill and Himalayan slopes.

Red soil gets its colour from iron oxides and spreads across the southern peninsula.

Alluvial soil is India's most widespread group overall.