Q70. Which of the following pairs of minerals and their leading producing states in India is correctly matched?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier II, 19 January 2026]
(A) Bauxite – Odisha
(B) Limestone – Jharkhand
(C) Mica – Rajasthan
(D) Copper – Uttar Pradesh
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (A) Bauxite – Odisha
Explanation: Odisha is a leading producer of bauxite and has important deposits in Koraput, Kalahandi and Rayagada. The ore is refined to alumina before electrolysis produces aluminium. The other pairings do not correctly identify the leading producing states in this paper.
Q69. Regarding the management of minor minerals in India, consider:
1. Sand is a minor mineral.
2. States grant leases, but only the Centre frames lease rules.
3. States can frame rules against illegal mining.
Which statements are correct?
[SSC JE (Mechanical Engineering), 4 December 2025, Shift 2]
(A) 1 and 3
(B) 2 and 3
(C) 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (A) 1 and 3
Explanation: Ordinary sand is treated as a minor mineral. State governments can regulate concessions and frame relevant rules, including measures against illegal mining. Therefore, the second statement incorrectly assigns rule-making power solely to the Central Government.
Q68. Which of the following is an example of a non-ferrous metallic mineral?
[SSC CHSL Tier I, 26 November 2025, Shift 2]
(A) Manganese
(B) Iron ore
(C) Bauxite
(D) Chromite
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) Bauxite
Explanation: Bauxite is the main ore of aluminium, a non-ferrous metal because it does not contain iron as its defining metallic constituent. Manganese and chromite are generally grouped with ferrous metallurgy because of their importance in steelmaking.
Q67. Which mineral is found in the Himalayan mineral belt of India: I. Copper; II. Tungsten?
[SSC CHSL Tier I, 29 November 2025, Shift 3]
(A) Only I
(B) Only II
(C) Both I and II
(D) Neither I nor II
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) Both I and II
Explanation: The Himalayan mineral belt includes occurrences of both copper and tungsten. Copper is used extensively in electrical systems owing to its conductivity, whereas tungsten is important in hard tools and high-temperature applications. Both statements identify minerals associated with this belt.
Q66. Which one of the following Indian states accounts for the maximum amount of bauxite and chromite?
[UPSC NDA II (General Ability Test), 14 September 2025]
(A) Andhra Pradesh
(B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) Jharkhand
(D) Odisha
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (D) Odisha
Explanation: Odisha has abundant bauxite reserves as well as major chromite deposits, particularly in the Sukinda region. Bauxite supplies aluminium and chromite supplies chromium, an important alloying element in stainless steel. These resources underpin the state’s mineral industries.
Q65. The Vindhyan system of rocks is known for the production of which of the following?
[SSC CGL, 20 September 2025, Shift 2]
(A) Manganese
(B) Iron ore and coal
(C) Limestones
(D) Bauxite
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) Limestones
Explanation: Vindhyan sedimentary formations contain extensive limestone beds. Limestone consists mainly of calcium carbonate and serves as the key raw material in cement manufacturing. Its other uses include lime production, metallurgy and soil-treatment applications.
Q64. Which of the following statements regarding iron ore in India is INCORRECT?
[SSC CGL, 19 September 2025, Shift 2]
(A) Only the hematite ore of iron occurs in India.
(B) In Odisha, iron ore occurs in hill ranges in Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj and Jhar.
(C) India consists of the largest reserves of iron ore in Asia.
(D) More than 90% of iron ore reserves are found in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Goa.
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (A) Only the hematite ore of iron occurs in India.
Explanation: Both hematite (Fe₂O₃) and magnetite (Fe₃O₄) are found in India, so hematite is not the only iron ore present. Siderite and other iron-bearing minerals also occur. Hematite is particularly significant in eastern Indian deposits.
Q63. Consider the following statements on bauxite:
1. India’s largest deposits are in Dharwar rocks.
2. Jharkhand is the largest producer.
3. Most bauxite occurs in laterite rocks on peninsular plateaux.
Which statements are INCORRECT?
[SSC CGL, 24 September 2025, Shift 3]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) 3 only
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Bauxite commonly forms through prolonged chemical weathering and leaching, often producing lateritic deposits on tropical plateaux. Odisha, not Jharkhand, is the leading producing state. Hence both statements 1 and 2 are incorrect; statement 3 is broadly correct.
Q62. Which state among the following is a major contributor to India’s iron-ore reserves?
[SSC CGL, 17 September 2025, Shift 2]
(A) Maharashtra
(B) Andhra Pradesh
(C) Karnataka
(D) Tamil Nadu
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) Karnataka
Explanation: Karnataka contains important iron-ore deposits around Ballari, Chitradurga and Chikkamagaluru. Both hematite and magnetite occur in the state, supplying steel and pellet industries. Among the listed states, Karnataka is the prominent major contributor.
Q61. Which district–state combination is correctly matched for iron-ore reserves in India?
[SSC CGL, 15 September 2025, Shift 1]
(A) Singhbhum – Jharkhand
(B) Mayurbhanj – Uttar Pradesh
(C) Sundargarh – Meghalaya
(D) Keonjhar – Rajasthan
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (A) Singhbhum – Jharkhand
Explanation: Singhbhum in Jharkhand is famous for iron ore, including deposits in and around Noamundi and Gua. Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh and Keonjhar are associated with Odisha rather than the incorrect states shown in the other options.
