Red soil in India is commonly associated with which one of the following pairs of states?

Introduction / Context:
Soils of India are classified into several major types such as alluvial, black, red, laterite, desert and mountain soils. Red soil is widespread in parts of the peninsular plateau and owes its colour to iron oxides. This question asks you to identify the pair of states where red soil is commonly found according to standard Indian geography texts.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The soil type in question is red soil. • Four pairs of states are given, including combinations with Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. • We assume the classic distribution of red soil as taught in school geography. • The correct pair should lie mainly on the peninsular plateau where red soils are prominent.

Concept / Approach:
Red soils occur extensively in southern and eastern parts of the Deccan Plateau, including large areas of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. They are less common in the alluvial plains of Punjab and Haryana or in the mountain regions of Himachal Pradesh. Therefore, we should pick the pair of states that are clearly located in the southern peninsula and are known for having large tracts of red soil.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall from maps that red soils cover major areas of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, especially in upland regions. Step 2: Consider Punjab and Haryana, which are dominated by alluvial soils of the Indo Gangetic plain, not red soils. Step 3: Recognise that Himachal Pradesh is a mountainous state with mostly skeletal and mountain soils, not extensive red soils. Step 4: Rajasthan has large desert and arid soils rather than red soils across most of its area. Step 5: Therefore, the pair that best represents common occurrence of red soil is Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard school atlases and soil distribution maps clearly show red soil spread across Tamil Nadu and much of Andhra Pradesh, along with parts of Karnataka and eastern regions. In contrast, the Indo Gangetic plains and Himalayan states are represented mostly by alluvial or mountain soils. Exam question banks also repeatedly use Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh as the classic example when asking about red soil distribution.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Punjab and Rajasthan are dominated by alluvial and desert soils and do not represent typical red soil regions. Option B: Himachal Pradesh and Haryana are associated with mountain soils and alluvial plains respectively, not with extensive red soil tracts. Option C: Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh again combine desert and mountain areas and therefore are not correct for red soil dominance.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes select pairs containing one plateau state and one plains state without carefully thinking about whether both states are known for the same soil type. Another pitfall is assuming that red soil appears wherever the climate is hot, which is not accurate. Always refer back mentally to the classic soil distribution maps when answering such questions.

Final Answer:
Red soil in India is commonly found in the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.