Field experiments were conducted on a terraced land (980 m mean sea level) during the year 2010-11 to study the influence of land configuration and residue management applied on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) on the performance of succeeding crop of rapeseed (Brassica campestris). Soil profile moisture was higher under residues retention/incorporation and altered land configuration as compared to the farmers' practice. The infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity under raised beds with residue + hedge leaves (No tillage) were 108 % and 46 % higher, respectively as compared to farmers' practice. Soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) was 67 % higher under RB with residue + hedge leaves incorporation (276 ?g/g soil) compared to farmers' practice while dehydrogenase activity was 135 % higher in RB with residue + hedge leaves (NT) (57.8 ?g TPF/g soil/24hr). Yield, nutrient uptake as well as soil health was observed to be higher and better under the conservation treatments at the harvest of rapeseed as compared to the conventional farmers' practice.