Tillage practices can affect soil quality in the N-W Himalayas of India. Conventional methods can harm soil, while zero tillage is better for the environment. After four years of study, it was found that zero tillage led to higher nitrogen content, lower bulk density, more soil microbes, and better enzyme activity in the topsoil. The soil quality index was also higher under zero tillage and mustard-maize cropping systems, showing that conservation practices can improve soil fertility and quality in rainfed areas of India.