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 51–60 of 75 questions
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q51. Consider the following statements regarding major Indian industries: I. The jute industry is heavily concentrated in West Bengal. II. The silk industry has significant centers in Karnataka, West Bengal, and J&K. III. The sugar industry relies on a raw material that gains weight during processing. IV. The decentralized powerloom sector dominates textile production. V. Salem steel plant is located in South India. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Several statements accurately describe the landscape of Indian industry. The jute industry is concentrated in West Bengal, and silk centers are found in Karnataka and J&K. The powerloom sector is the dominant producer of textiles, and the Salem steel plant is located in South India. However, the sugar industry uses a weight-losing raw material, not one that gains weight, making statement III incorrect.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q52. Which of the following represents the correct sequence of these states based on their traditional dominance in the sugar industry from North India to Peninsular India?
Explanation
The sugar industry in India is broadly distributed across different climatic zones. Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer in the subtropical northern belt. Moving south into the tropical peninsular region, Maharashtra is the dominant producer, followed by states like Tamil Nadu further south. This sequence from Uttar Pradesh to Maharashtra and then Tamil Nadu correctly follows the geographical progression from north to south.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q53. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the sugar industry in India.
Explanation
The sugar industry is a weight-losing sector that requires mills to be near sugarcane fields. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra are the leading producers in the country. The seasonal nature of the industry poses a significant challenge. However, the claim that the cooperative model has failed in Maharashtra is incorrect; it is actually widely recognized as a highly successful and dominant model in the state.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q54. The Salem steel plant, a prominent facility in South India, specializes primarily in the production of:
Explanation
The Salem Steel Plant, located in the state of Tamil Nadu, is a unit of the Steel Authority of India Limited. It is widely renowned for its specialized production capacity, focusing primarily on high-quality stainless steel. The plant produces various grades of stainless steel sheets, coils, and special steels used in domestic and industrial applications, making it a key facility in South India’s industrial landscape.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q55. Which is the most appropriate reason why mini steel plants are more geographically decentralized than integrated steel plants?
Explanation
Unlike integrated steel plants that require bulky iron ore and coal, mini steel plants utilize electric power and steel scrap as their primary inputs. Since these materials are more easily available across different regions and markets, mini steel plants do not need to be located near mineral deposits. This flexibility allows them to be geographically decentralized and established closer to urban centers and consumers.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q56. The raw material requirement for the Bhilai Steel Plant, a public sector giant, includes iron ore primarily sourced from the local mines of:
Explanation
The Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh was established with a focus on utilizing local mineral resources to ensure cost-effective production.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q57. Consider the following statements regarding the synthetic fibre industry: Statement I: The synthetic and man-made fibre industry is heavily dependent on agricultural climate conditions. Statement II: The distribution of the synthetic fibre industry is largely linked to the availability of petrochemical derivatives rather than agricultural fields.
Explanation
The synthetic and man-made fiber industry differs fundamentally from natural textiles like cotton or jute. It is not dependent on agricultural or climatic conditions, as its fibers are created through chemical processes. Instead, the distribution and success of this industry are linked to the availability of petrochemical derivatives and chemical raw materials. Therefore, the assertion that it depends on agricultural conditions is factually incorrect.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q58. Identify the correct statement regarding the challenges faced by the jute textile industry.
Explanation
The jute industry in India faces significant economic pressure due to the rise of synthetic alternatives. Products made from plastic and other synthetic polymers are often cheaper and more durable for packaging, which has reduced the global demand for traditional jute bags and textiles. This competition, along with high production costs, remains a primary challenge for the survival and modernization of the jute sector.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q59. The Bhadravati steel plant in South India is located along the banks of which river?
Explanation
The Bhadravati steel plant, formerly known as the Mysore Iron and Steel Works, is located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. It was established on the banks of the river Bhadra to ensure a reliable and continuous water supply for its industrial operations. This location also allowed the plant to historically access charcoal from the surrounding forests and utilize iron ore from the nearby hills.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Iron and Steel, Textile and Sugar Industries
Q60. What is the primary cause for the shifting trend of the sugar industry towards the western and southern states of India, notably Maharashtra?
Explanation
The sugar industry has increasingly shifted toward Peninsular India, especially Maharashtra, because of favorable tropical climatic conditions. Sugarcane grown in the south and west typically has a higher sucrose content, leading to better sugar recovery. Furthermore, the tropical climate allows for a longer crushing season compared to the north, which improves the overall productivity and economic viability of the sugar mills.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
51
(d) I, II, IV and V only
52
(a) Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
53
(c) The cooperative sugar mill model has completely failed in Maharashtra due to low interest.
54
(d) High-quality stainless steel and special steel
55
(b) They use power and scrap iron, removing the need to locate near coal and iron ore mines.
56
(c) Dalli-Rajhara
57
(d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
58
(a) It faces stiff competition from synthetic packaging materials in the international market.
59
(b) Bhadra
60
(b) Peninsular sugarcane has higher sucrose content and a longer crushing season for the mills.
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.
