The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has classified the Indian soil into ______ categories as per the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Taxonomy?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is: (d) 8
Explanation:
· The ICAR has adopted the USDA Soil Taxonomy system and classified Indian soils into 8 categories.
· These classifications are based on soil properties like texture, moisture, and nutrient content under various agro-climatic zones.
Information Booster:
· The 8 soil orders in India: Entisols, Inceptisols, Alfisols, Vertisols, Aridisols, Ultisols, Mollisols, and Histosols.
· USDA soil taxonomy is used globally and includes 12 soil orders.
· ICAR adapts the classification to Indian conditions.
· Classification aids in land use planning and sustainable agriculture.
· ICAR functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
· First major classification was in the 1970s.
Additional Information:
· 12: Refers to global USDA soil orders, not all found in India.
· 7 & 9: Not officially recognized ICAR categories.
· 8: Accurate count of USDA-recognized soil orders present in India.