Q20. Which sequence places these states in descending order of coal reserves for the examination’s reference period?
[UPPSC Civil Services Mains, 2014]
(A) Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh
(B) Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand
(C) Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh
(D) Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha
Answer: (C) Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: Jharkhand and Odisha possess large Gondwana coal reserves, followed in the question’s reference sequence by Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Reserve estimates and annual production are different indicators. Historical ranking questions should be interpreted with the underlying reporting date.
Q19. Consider the statements:
(1) Natural gas occurs chiefly in Gondwana belts.
(2) Mica occurs abundantly at Koderma.
(3) Dharwar rocks are famous for petroleum.
Which is correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2013]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) None
Answer: (B) 2 only
Explanation: Koderma in Jharkhand is a renowned mica locality. India’s commercially significant petroleum and natural-gas fields occur mainly in sedimentary basins rather than the ancient Dharwar rocks. The Gondwana rock system is more strongly associated with coal deposits.
Q18. Which group contains only non-ferrous metals?
[RPSC RAS Preliminary Examination, 2013]
(A) Nickel, zinc, copper and aluminium
(B) Iron, nickel, copper and aluminium
(C) Iron, manganese, zinc and chromium
(D) Iron, cobalt, copper and manganese
Answer: (A) Nickel, zinc, copper and aluminium
Explanation: Non-ferrous metals do not have iron as their principal metallic constituent. Nickel, zinc, copper and aluminium meet this definition, whereas every other group here includes iron. Such classification is useful for understanding ore beneficiation and different metallurgical industries.
Q17. Why does India import large quantities of coal despite its domestic reserves?
(1) India officially saves all its coal reserves for the future.
(2) Coal-fired power plants face domestic supply constraints.
(3) Steelmakers require substantial imported coking coal.
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2012]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Coal imports reflect supply mismatches and the need for higher-quality coking coal in steelmaking. India’s deposits do not automatically satisfy every quality and location requirement. Preserving all domestic reserves for the future is not the stated general reason for such imports.
Q16. Match the mining area with its principal mineral:
A. Guru Mahisani; B. Talcher; C. Jaduguda; D. Zawar.
Minerals: 1. Lead; 2. Uranium; 3. Iron ore; 4. Coal.
[UPPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2012]
(A) A–3, B–4, C–2, D–1
(B) A–3, B–2, C–1, D–4
(C) A–2, B–4, C–3, D–1
(D) A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4
Answer: (A) A–3, B–4, C–2, D–1
Explanation: Guru Mahisani is associated with iron ore, Talcher with coal, Jaduguda with uranium and Zawar with lead–zinc mineralisation. The four localities span Odisha, Jharkhand and Rajasthan. Matching them illustrates India’s geographically specialised mineral belts.
Q15. Which of these states has the largest copper-ore resources among the options?
[UPPSC Civil Services Mains, 2011]
(A) Bihar
(B) Jharkhand
(C) Karnataka
(D) Rajasthan
Answer: (D) Rajasthan
Explanation: Rajasthan has extensive copper-ore resources, especially along the Aravalli mineral belt. Khetri is one of its best-known copper-mining centres. Reserves should be distinguished from concentrate production, which can have a different state ranking in a given year.
Q14. In which broad part of India are major concentrations of mineral resources found?
[Chhattisgarh PSC Preliminary Examination, 2011]
(A) Western India
(B) Southern India
(C) Northern India
(D) South-eastern India
Answer: (D) South-eastern India
Explanation: India’s mineral-rich eastern and south-eastern peninsular regions include the Chota Nagpur Plateau, Odisha highlands and adjoining central Indian belts. Ancient hard rocks contain metallic ores, while Gondwana sedimentary basins hold major coalfields. Northern alluvial plains are relatively mineral-poor.
Q13. Consider these pairs of mineral and state claimed to hold about 90% of natural resources:
(1) Copper — Jharkhand;
(2) Nickel — Odisha;
(3) Tungsten — Kerala.
Which pair is correctly matched?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2010]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 2 only
Explanation: Odisha holds the dominant share of India’s identified nickel resources, notably around the Sukinda area. Copper resources are not concentrated ninety percent in Jharkhand, and Kerala does not account for ninety percent of tungsten resources. Only the second pairing is correct.
Q12. Match the iron-ore mining centres with their states:
A. Badampahar;
B. Dalli–Rajhara;
C. Kudremukh;
D. Noamundi.
States:
1. Jharkhand;
2. Odisha;
3. Chhattisgarh;
. Karnataka.
[UP UDA/LDA Mains, 2010]
(A) A–4, B–2, C–3, D–1
(B) A–1, B–3, C–4, D–2
(C) A–2, B–3, C–4, D–1
(D) A–2, B–1, C–4, D–3
Answer: (C) A–2, B–3, C–4, D–1
Explanation: Badampahar is in Odisha, Dalli–Rajhara in Chhattisgarh, Kudremukh in Karnataka and Noamundi in Jharkhand. These locations belong to different major Indian iron-ore belts. Correct matching requires separating the individual mine from the broader peninsular mineral region.
Q11. Which state was a leading producer of tin ore in India?
[UPPSC Civil Services Mains, 2009]
(A) Andhra Pradesh
(B) Chhattisgarh
(C) Jharkhand
(D) Odisha
Answer: (B) Chhattisgarh
Explanation: Chhattisgarh has historically been India’s principal commercial tin-ore-producing state. Cassiterite-bearing deposits are associated particularly with parts of Bastar. Tin is used in solders, alloys and coatings, and its mining geography is distinct from the main copper or iron-ore belts.
