World Soil Day is an annual event on the 5th of December that is intended to create awareness among people worldwide regarding the critical importance of soil to life, food security, ecosystems, and human well-being. It was initially suggested in 2002, and subsequently sanctioned globally and made official to underline the necessity of having sustainable soil management. The theme of 2025, called Healthy Soils Healthy Cities, highlights the increasing importance of soil health in cities, which face stress on natural resources due to rapid urbanisation and climate change. World Soil Day 2025 is calling on citizens, communities, and governments to properly conserve soil as one of the pillars of a secure and plausible future.
Significance of World Soil Day 2025
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World Soil Day 2025, celebrated annually on 5 December, is a reminder of the importance that healthy soil plays in food, water, and life on earth.
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It focuses attention on increasing soil degradation and means that all should be protecting and restoring soils.
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The day encourages more simple, sustainable practices, such as the reduction of the use of chemicals and helping the environment with eco-friendly farming.
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As part of its Global Soil Partnership, the FAO strongly supports World Soil Day and calls on countries to adopt improved soil management and long-term soil conservation practices.
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World Soil Day 2025 inspires farmers, students, and communities to take care of the soil that sustains life.
Best PYQs-Based Questions and Answers on Soil (Asked so Far)
| Exam Name | Year | Question | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSC CGL Tier-1 | 2023 | Which soil is most suitable for cotton cultivation? | A) Red Soil B) Black Cotton Soil C) Laterite Soil D) Alluvial Soil |
B) Black Cotton Soil |
| SSC CHSL | 2022 | Which soil is also known as “Regur Soil”? | A) Black Soil B) Red Soil C) Desert Soil D) Alluvial Soil |
A) Black Soil |
| RRB Group D | 2019 | Which soil covers the largest area in India? | A) Red Soil B) Alluvial Soil C) Black Soil D) Laterite Soil |
B) Alluvial Soil |
| RRB NTPC | 2020 | Laterite soil is rich in which element? | A) Iron & Aluminium B) Nitrogen C) Calcium D) Phosphorus |
A) Iron & Aluminium |
| SSC GD | 2021 | Which soil is formed due to intense leaching in heavy rainfall areas? | A) Laterite B) Alluvial C) Black D) Red |
A) Laterite |
| UPSC Prelims | 2018 | Which soil is most suitable for growing groundnuts? | A) Sandy Loam B) Clayey Soil C) Black Soil D) Alluvial Soil |
A) Sandy Loam |
| SSC MTS | 2020 | Which soil has the highest water-holding capacity? | A) Sandy Soil B) Clay Soil C) Black Soil D) Laterite Soil |
C) Black Soil |
| RRB ALP | 2018 | Red soil gets its red colour due to the presence of? | A) Iron Oxide B) Copper C) Phosphate D) Nitrogen |
A) Iron Oxide |
| UPSC Prelims | 2021 | Which soil is most suitable for tea cultivation? | A) Alluvial Soil B) Laterite Soil C) Red & Yellow Soil D) Sandy Soil |
C) Red & Yellow Soil |
| SSC CPO | 2022 | Which type of soil is common in the Indo-Gangetic plains? | A) Alluvial Soil B) Red Soil C) Desert Soil D) Black Soil |
A) Alluvial Soil |
Expected MCQs for World Soil Day
What is the theme of World Soil Day 2025?
A) Stop Soil Erosion
B) Keep Soil Alive
C) Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities
D) Soil and Water – A Source of Life
Answer: C) Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities
Description: The 2025 theme focuses on soil conservation in rapidly growing urban areas.
Which organisation officially supports and coordinates World Soil Day globally?
A) UNESCO
B) FAO
C) UNEP
D) WHO
Answer: B) FAO
Description: The Food and Agriculture Organisation leads global efforts through the Global Soil Partnership.
Who first recommended the celebration of World Soil Day?
A) UNEP
B) International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)
C) World Bank
D) UNGA
Answer: B) International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)
Description: IUSS proposed the observance in 2002, which the UN later adopted.
Which country played a key role in promoting the UN resolution for World Soil Day?
A) India
B) Thailand
C) USA
D) Brazil
Answer: B) Thailand
Description: Thailand strongly supported the proposal in honour of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Soil stores a large amount of which climate-regulating element?
A) Nitrogen
B) Carbon
C) Oxygen
D) Calcium
Answer: B) Carbon
Description: Soil acts as a major carbon sink, helping fight climate change.
Conclusion
World Soil Day 2025 is an annual reminder that good, healthy soil is the foundation of strong and resilient cities. The theme Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities inclination shows the critical concern of the preservation of urban soils against degradation and pollution. This conclusion substantiates the idea that the protection of the soil in the modern world is necessary to achieve cleaner environments, an improved food system, and a sustainable future for all.
