UPSC Geography of India – Chapter 18: Mineral Resources (25 MCQs)

← Back

UPSC Geography of India – Chapter 18: Mineral Resources (25 MCQs) – 25 questions, subject: Geography. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

Get daily current affairs & exam alerts – follow us YouTube WhatsApp Channel Telegram Channel Facebook Page Instagram
Share with friends & study groups
Link to this page from your website / blog (HTML code)
1.  

Most of India's metallic minerals are found in the:

Correct Answer: A [old crystalline rocks of the Peninsula]

Explanation:

Iron ore, manganese, bauxite, copper and gold occur mainly in the old crystalline rocks of the Peninsular plateau.

2.  

Bailadila in Chhattisgarh is famous for:

Correct Answer: C [iron ore]

Explanation:

The Bailadila range in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh holds high-grade haematite iron ore.

3.  

Malanjkhand in Madhya Pradesh is known for:

Correct Answer: B [copper]

Explanation:

Malanjkhand in Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh, is one of India's largest copper mines.

4.  

Zawar in Rajasthan is a major mine of:

Correct Answer: C [lead and zinc]

Explanation:

Zawar near Udaipur in Rajasthan is a historic lead–zinc mining area.

5.  

Panchpatmali in Odisha is a major deposit of:

Correct Answer: D [bauxite]

Explanation:

Panchpatmali in Koraput district, Odisha, is one of India's largest bauxite deposits.

6.  

The Sukinda valley of Odisha is known for:

Correct Answer: B [chromite]

Explanation:

The Sukinda valley in Jajpur district, Odisha, holds most of India's chromite.

7.  

Which of the following is an active gold mine of Karnataka?

Correct Answer: B [Hutti]

Explanation:

Hutti in Raichur district is Karnataka's working gold mine; the Kolar Gold Fields are now closed.

8.  

Koderma in Jharkhand is famous for:

Correct Answer: D [mica]

Explanation:

Koderma in Jharkhand is India's best-known mica belt; mica is valued as an electrical insulator.

9.  

The basic raw material of the cement industry is:

Correct Answer: B [limestone]

Explanation:

Limestone, a sedimentary rock, is the basic raw material of cement and a flux in steel making.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Ilmenite and rutile are ores of titanium.
2. Monazite contains thorium.
3. Monazite can be processed by any private company in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Ilmenite and rutile give titanium and monazite contains thorium; only Government bodies may process monazite, so 3 is false.

11.  

Assertion (A): Monazite is a strategically important mineral for India.

Reason (R): It contains thorium, the fuel for the third stage of India's nuclear power programme.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Monazite is strategic because its thorium is the fuel for the third stage of India's nuclear power programme.

12.  

In 2023, inferred resources of lithium were reported by the GSI at:

Correct Answer: B [Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir]

Explanation:

The Geological Survey of India reported inferred lithium resources in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir in 2023.

13.  

Exploration of mineral resources on the deep-sea floor in international waters is licensed by the:

Correct Answer: A [International Seabed Authority]

Explanation:

Under UNCLOS, the International Seabed Authority licenses exploration and mining of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction.

14.  

Polymetallic nodules on the sea floor are a source of:

Correct Answer: C [manganese, nickel, cobalt and copper]

Explanation:

Polymetallic nodules on the deep sea floor are rich in manganese, nickel, cobalt and copper.

15.  

Under the MMDR Act, rules for minor minerals are framed by the:

Correct Answer: D [State Governments]

Explanation:

Section 15 of the MMDR Act empowers State Governments to make rules for minor minerals.

16.  

The District Mineral Foundation was introduced by the:

Correct Answer: D [MMDR Amendment Act, 2015]

Explanation:

The MMDR Amendment Act, 2015 created District Mineral Foundations in mining districts, funded by lease holders.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. MMDR Amendment Act introducing auctions
2. Geological Survey of India set up
3. List of 30 critical minerals
4. MMDR Act enacted

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-4-1-3]

Explanation:

1851, 1957, 2015, 2023.

18.  

Which of the following was declared a minor mineral in 2015?

Correct Answer: A [Bentonite]

Explanation:

The Centre's February 2015 notification declared 31 minerals, including bentonite, as minor minerals.

19.  

India's beach-sand minerals are found mainly along the coasts of:

Correct Answer: A [Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Odisha]

Explanation:

Heavy beach-sand minerals such as ilmenite, rutile and monazite are concentrated along the Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Odisha coasts.

20.  

Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh is an important source of:

Correct Answer: C [manganese]

Explanation:

Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh is one of India's leading manganese-ore areas.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2023

Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of India, are rich sources of which one of the following?

Correct Answer: D [Titanium]

Explanation:

Ilmenite (iron-titanium oxide) and rutile (titanium dioxide) are the main ores of titanium.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2022

With reference to India, consider the following statements:

1. Monazite is a source of rare earths.
2. Monazite contains thorium.
3. Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India.
4. In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1, 2 and 4 only]

Explanation:

Monazite contains rare earths and thorium and only Government bodies may process or export it, but it is not in all coastal sands.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

Consider the following statements:

1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters.
2. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters.
3. 'Rare earth minerals' are present on the seafloor in international waters.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]

Explanation:

licences are granted by the International Seabed Authority.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2020

Consider the following minerals:

1. Bentonite
2. Chromite
3. Kyanite
4. Sillimanite

In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals?

Correct Answer: D [2, 3 and 4 only]

Explanation:

bentonite is a minor mineral.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2019

With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements:

1. Sand is a 'minor mineral' according to the prevailing law in the country.
2. State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Central Government.
3. State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: A [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Sand is a minor mineral, and States make the rules for minor minerals, including rules to curb illegal mining.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U09 · Geography of India (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-geography-of-india

📘 U09 · Geography of India – UPSC Civil Services (Prelims & Mains)
Here you get the answer with a one-line explanation. 24 chapters · 559 MCQs incl. UPSC Prelims PYQs with a reason for every option · 120 Mains questions + Mains PYQs · maps, tables, revision cards
Get the book – ₹249 ₹499 →
Score: 0 Answered: 0 / 0