Q1. Which of the following best describes the fundamental raw material characteristics of the traditional integrated iron and steel industry?
Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries: RAS Prelims MCQs
75 RAS Prelims MCQs on the iron and steel, textile and sugar industries of India test the location, raw material and history of each industry. Tata Steel at Jamshedpur, Bhilai, Durgapur and Salem, mini steel plants, cotton and synthetic fibres, and the shift of the sugar industry are asked as facts and pairs.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 75 questions
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO):
Statement I: TISCO was the first integrated steel plant established in India.
Statement II: It was established at Jamshedpur due to its proximity to the confluence of the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers.
Statement I: TISCO was the first integrated steel plant established in India.
Statement II: It was established at Jamshedpur due to its proximity to the confluence of the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers.
Explanation
The Tata Iron and Steel Company represents the pioneering integrated steel plant in India, established by Jamsetji Tata in the early twentieth century. Its location in Jamshedpur was chosen primarily for the abundant water supply provided by the confluence of the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers. Proximity to iron ore, coal, and manganese deposits further supported its successful operations.
Q3. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Steel Plant | State |
|---|---|
| A. Bhilai Steel Plant | i. West Bengal |
| B. Durgapur Steel Plant | ii. Jharkhand |
| C. Rourkela Steel Plant | iii. Chhattisgarh |
| D. Bokaro Steel Plant | iv. Odisha |
Explanation
India’s major public sector steel plants are distributed across resource-rich states to optimize production efficiency. The Bhilai plant is located in Chhattisgarh, while the Durgapur plant operates in West Bengal. Rourkela is situated in Odisha, and the Bokaro plant is established in Jharkhand. These locations were strategically selected during the five-year plans to utilize local raw material reserves.
Q4. What was the primary effect of foreign collaboration in the establishment of the Bhilai Steel Plant during the Second Five Year Plan?
Explanation
The Bhilai Steel Plant was established in Chhattisgarh as a landmark project of international cooperation during the Second Five Year Plan. It received significant technical and financial assistance from the Soviet Union to boost India’s industrial capacity. This collaboration aimed to develop a self-reliant public sector in heavy industry and utilized local iron ore from the Dalli-Rajhara mines.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Durgapur and Rourkela steel plants:
I. Both plants were established as public sector units during the Second Five Year Plan.
II. Durgapur was established with British collaboration, while Rourkela was built with German collaboration.
III. Both plants are located in the coastal state of Andhra Pradesh.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. Both plants were established as public sector units during the Second Five Year Plan.
II. Durgapur was established with British collaboration, while Rourkela was built with German collaboration.
III. Both plants are located in the coastal state of Andhra Pradesh.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
During the Second Five Year Plan, the Indian government established several integrated steel plants under the public sector. The Durgapur plant was developed with British collaboration in West Bengal, whereas the Rourkela plant was built with German assistance in Odisha. These units are located in the eastern industrial belt of India, rather than in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
Q6. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Vizag Steel Plant enjoys a unique locational advantage compared to early public sector steel plants in India.
Reason (R): It is a shore-based integrated steel plant, which facilitates the easier import of raw materials and export of finished goods.
Select the correct answer using the options given below:
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Vizag Steel Plant enjoys a unique locational advantage compared to early public sector steel plants in India.
Reason (R): It is a shore-based integrated steel plant, which facilitates the easier import of raw materials and export of finished goods.
Select the correct answer using the options given below:
Explanation
The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, often called Vizag Steel, possesses a unique geographical advantage by being India’s first shore-based integrated steel plant. This coastal location is highly beneficial for the logistics of the iron and steel industry. It facilitates the cost-effective import of high-quality coking coal from abroad and simplifies the export of finished steel products to international markets.
Q7. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the steel plants of South India.
Explanation
The Bhadravati steel plant in Karnataka, originally known as Mysore Iron and Steel Works, is situated near the river Bhadra. Historically, it relied on charcoal from local forests for smelting due to the absence of nearby coal mines. Later, it transitioned to electric power. The claim that it depends solely on Australian coal imports for smelting is factually incorrect.
Q8. Consider the following statements regarding mini steel plants:
I. They primarily use electric arc furnace technology.
II. They rely heavily on steel scrap and sponge iron rather than primary iron ore.
III. They require less capital investment compared to integrated steel plants.
IV. They produce mild and alloy steel of given specifications.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. They primarily use electric arc furnace technology.
II. They rely heavily on steel scrap and sponge iron rather than primary iron ore.
III. They require less capital investment compared to integrated steel plants.
IV. They produce mild and alloy steel of given specifications.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Mini steel plants represent a decentralized segment of the iron and steel industry. These units primarily utilize electric arc furnaces for melting steel scrap or sponge iron, rather than smelting iron ore in large blast furnaces. They require less capital investment compared to integrated plants and are capable of producing specific grades of mild steel and various steel alloys.
Q9. Find the odd one out with respect to the historical concentration of the cotton textile industry in India.
Explanation
Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Surat are historically prominent centers for the cotton textile industry in India, benefitting from proximity to raw material growing regions and port facilities. In contrast, Bhilai is a major industrial city primarily known for its integrated steel plant. Therefore, Bhilai does not belong to the same industrial category as the other cities listed in the grouping.
Q10. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Textile Sector Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| A. Handloom | i. Capital-intensive and organized large-scale production |
| B. Powerloom | ii. Highly decentralized and heavily reliant on petrochemicals |
| C. Mill Sector | iii. Traditional, highly labor-intensive, unorganized weaving |
| D. Synthetic Fibre | iv. Decentralized, mechanized weaving dominating total production |
Explanation
The Indian textile industry consists of diverse sectors with distinct characteristics. The handloom sector is traditional and labor-intensive, while the mill sector involves organized, large-scale production. Powerlooms dominate the decentralized sector using mechanized weaving. Additionally, the synthetic fiber industry relies on petrochemicals for production. Matching these features correctly highlights the complex structure of textile manufacturing across the various regions.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) It utilizes heavy and weight-losing raw materials, requiring plant locations near raw material sources. |
| 2 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct |
| 3 | (c) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
| 4 | (d) It created a public sector giant built with technological and financial help from the Soviet Union. |
| 5 | (c) I and II only |
| 6 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 7 | (a) Bhadravati relies solely on coking coal imports from Australia due to a lack of local coal or forests. |
| 8 | (c) I, II, III and IV |
| 9 | (a) Bhilai |
| 10 | (d) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
Key facts from Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
- TISCO at Jamshedpur was the first integrated steel plant in India.
- The Bhilai Steel Plant is in Chhattisgarh and gets iron ore from Dalli-Rajhara; Durgapur Steel Plant is in West Bengal.
- The Salem steel plant in Tamil Nadu specialises in stainless and special steel.
- Mini steel plants use the electric arc furnace.
- Polyester is made from coal, air, water and petroleum products.
- Textile and sugar industries are linked to State patterns; the sugar industry has moved from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar towards Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries?
This page has 75 practice MCQs on Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries (Indian Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which was the first integrated steel plant in India?
The Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) at Jamshedpur, in what is now Jharkhand. It began production in the early twentieth century and made Jamshedpur the first planned industrial city of India.
Where does the Bhilai Steel Plant get its iron ore?
From Dalli-Rajhara, in Chhattisgarh. The plant is in the Durg district, a public sector giant set up with Soviet help, and the Dalli-Rajhara mines are linked to it by rail.
What technology do mini steel plants use?
The electric arc furnace, which melts scrap or sponge iron using electricity. Mini plants need less capital and can be set up closer to markets than integrated plants.