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 11–20 of 75 questions
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q11. Consider the following statements regarding the powerloom sector in the Indian textile industry: I. It has historically witnessed massive growth due to decentralisation post-independence. II. It operates primarily in the decentralized and unorganised sector. III. It accounts for the dominant share of total cloth production in India today. IV. It utilizes electrical power, making it more efficient than traditional handlooms. V. It has completely replaced the organized mill sector, which no longer exists in India. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The powerloom sector has grown significantly post-independence, becoming a dominant force in India’s textile production. It operates within the decentralized and unorganized sector, utilizing electrical power for mechanized weaving. While it accounts for the largest share of cloth production, the organized mill sector still exists in India. Therefore, the assertion that powerlooms have completely eliminated the mill sector is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q12. Which of the following is a correct pair regarding the raw material source of the synthetic and man-made fibre industry?
Explanation
The synthetic and man-made fiber industry utilizes various chemical and petrochemical derivatives as its primary raw material base. Polyester is produced using complex chemical processes involving coal, air, water, and petroleum products. In contrast, fibers like viscose rayon are derived from natural cellulose or wood pulp, while nylon is a purely synthetic polymer not derived from natural plant-based silk proteins.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q13. Arrange the following states from North to South based on their geographical location, which are also prominent centers of the silk industry: I. Jammu & Kashmir II. West Bengal III. Karnataka Select the correct order from the options given below:
Explanation
India’s prominent silk industry centers are geographically distributed from the northern tip to the southern peninsula. Jammu and Kashmir, located in the north, is famous for its high-quality temperate silk. Moving southwards, West Bengal serves as a major silk-weaving hub in the east. Finally, Karnataka is the leading producer of mulberry silk in the southern part of the country.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q14. Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to the heavy concentration of the jute textile industry in West Bengal?
Explanation
The concentration of the jute industry in West Bengal is driven by several favorable geographical factors. These include the proximity to raw jute production in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta and the abundant fresh water from the Hooghly river required for processing. However, jute manufacturing requires a humid climate for spinning. An arid or dry climate is unsuitable for this specific textile process.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q15. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
Silk Producing State
Dominant Silk/Feature
A. Karnataka
i. Bivoltine silk due to temperate climate
B. West Bengal
ii. Muga silk monopoly
C. Jammu & Kashmir
iii. Leading producer of Mulberry silk
D. Assam
iv. Traditional Murshidabad silk centers
Explanation
India produces various types of silk, each associated with specific geographic regions. Karnataka is the leading producer of mulberry silk in the south. West Bengal has traditional weaving centers in Murshidabad. Jammu and Kashmir produces high-quality bivoltine silk due to its temperate climate. Assam holds a global monopoly on the production of golden Muga silk, which is unique to the region.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q16. The traditional sugarcane belt in India is primarily distributed across which of the following regions?
Explanation
Sugarcane cultivation in India is primarily divided into two distinct regions based on climatic conditions. The subtropical belt encompasses the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains, including states like Uttar Pradesh. The tropical belt covers peninsular India, particularly Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. These regions provide the necessary warmth and moisture required for the successful growth of this seasonal and water-intensive cash crop.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q17. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): The sugar industry in India faces severe challenges due to its seasonal nature. Reason (R): Sugarcane is a perishable crop that must be crushed quickly after harvesting to prevent sucrose loss, restricting mill operations to the harvesting months. Select the correct answer using the options given below:
Explanation
The sugar industry is fundamentally seasonal because its primary raw material, sugarcane, is highly perishable. Once harvested, the sucrose content in the cane begins to decline rapidly due to moisture loss. This necessitates immediate crushing near the fields. Consequently, sugar mills can only operate during the specific harvesting months of the year, leading to significant logistical and financial challenges.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q18. Which statement accurately describes the cooperative sugar mills in the Maharashtra model?
Explanation
The cooperative sugar mill model in Maharashtra is based on the collective ownership of processing units by the local farmers. In this system, the farmers act as both shareholders and the primary suppliers of raw sugarcane to the mills. This integration ensures a steady supply of raw materials, timely harvesting, and the equitable distribution of profits among the rural farming community.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q19. Consider the following statements regarding government initiatives for industrial clusters: Statement I: Textile parks and sugar clusters are designed to provide world-class infrastructure and common facilities to local industries. Statement II: These initiatives aim to reduce production costs and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian textile and sugar products.
Explanation
Government initiatives like textile parks and sugar clusters are designed to provide modern, shared infrastructure for industrial units. These clusters allow smaller manufacturers to access common facilities and advanced technology that they could not afford individually. By pooling resources and improving efficiency, these initiatives aim to reduce production costs and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian textile and sugar products.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q20. Consider the following statements regarding the raw material needs of the iron and steel industry: I. Coking coal is essential for smelting iron ore in a blast furnace. II. Limestone is used as a flux to remove impurities during smelting. III. Manganese is added to impart strength and toughness to steel. IV. Bauxite is the primary ore used to extract pure iron. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The production of iron and steel requires specific raw materials for the smelting and refining processes. Coking coal is essential as a fuel and reducing agent in blast furnaces. Limestone is used as a flux to remove impurities from the molten metal. Manganese is added to the final product to increase strength and toughness. Bauxite, however, is not used here.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
11
(c) I, II, III and IV only
12
(d) Polyester - Coal, air, water and petroleum products
13
(a) I, II, III
14
(b) Dry and arid climate ideal for spinning jute yarn without moisture
15
(b) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii
16
(a) The subtropical Indo-Gangetic plain and tropical peninsular India
17
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
18
(c) They are owned by local sugarcane farmers acting as collective shareholders and suppliers.
19
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
20
(d) I, II and III only
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.
