Soil organic carbon is a component of soil organic matter. Organic matter plays an important role in the physical, chemical and biological function of agricultural soils. SOC levels result from the interactions of several ecosystem processes, of which photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition are key. Photosynthesis is the fixation of atmospheric CO2 into plant biomass. SOC input rates are primarily determined by the litter deposited from plant shoot. Soil C results both directly from growth and death of plant roots, as well as indirectly from the transfer of carbon-enriched compounds from roots to soil microbes. SOC should be between 1 to 1.5 per cent. SOC had been declining rapidly because of increasing atmospheric temperature, over exploitation, extensive mining of soil fertility, soil degradation, inappropriate soil tillage, poor crop management, indiscriminate use of fertilizer, and accelerated soil erosion. To sustain quality and productivity of soils, information on SOC in terms of its amount and quality is essential. In recent years, agricultural related global warming has created awareness on the role of C cycling in agro ecosystems, especially, interest in storing atmospheric C in the soil. Rehabilitation measures are the need of the hour for vast areas of the country. Thus this paper helps to get an deeper insight on strategies to improve soil organic carbon.