According to the traditional classification used in many Indian geography texts, how many major types of soil are identified in India?

Introduction / Context:
Soil is a key factor in agriculture and physical geography. Indian geography textbooks usually present a standard classification of major soil types found in the country. Many exam questions directly ask how many such major soil groups are recognised in this classical scheme, so candidates should be comfortable with the number as well as the names.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The question is about the number of major soil types in India. • Options include 4, 5, 7 and 8. • We refer to the traditional widely taught classification that lists several distinct soil categories.

Concept / Approach:
The commonly taught scheme in many school level and competitive exam books identifies eight major soil types in India. These typically include alluvial soil, black soil, red soil, laterite soil, desert or arid soil, mountain soil, peaty and marshy soil and sometimes saline and alkaline soils grouped within these categories. While modern scientific classifications are more detailed, the number eight is the accepted answer in classical exam oriented geography.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the standard list: alluvial, black, red, laterite, desert, mountain, peaty and marshy, and sometimes additional minor types that still fit into these major categories. Step 2: Count these groups and note that they come to eight distinct major soil types. Step 3: Compare this count with the options and identify eight as the correct number. Step 4: Discard smaller numbers like 4 or 5, since they would leave out several important soil groups, and also reject 7 because it does not match the full traditional list.

Verification / Alternative check:
School geography texts and many competitive exam books explicitly state that India has eight major soil types, and then go on to describe each type in detail. Even when some minor variations in naming occur, the total count in the classical classification remains eight.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (4) and option B (5) would be far too few and would ignore important soil types like laterite, mountain or desert soils. Option C (7) is close but still less than the widely accepted number, so it would imply omission of at least one major group.

Common Pitfalls:
• Learners sometimes confuse simplified groupings given in summary charts with the full classification and may remember only 5 or 6 categories. • Others may mix up newer scientific classifications with the traditional eight type scheme used in Indian school exams, so it helps to memorise both but answer according to the context of the question.

Final Answer:
According to the traditional classification, India has eight major soil types.