Q61. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the powerloom sector.
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 61–70 of 75 questions
Q62. Which of the following is NOT a required geographical or climatic condition for the traditional concentration of cotton textile mills in a region?
Explanation
The location of cotton textile mills is influenced by specific factors like proximity to raw material regions, a humid climate to prevent yarn breakage, and access to port facilities for trade. However, high-altitude mountainous terrain is not a requirement for this industry. Modern cooling systems can manage machinery heat, and the logistical challenges of high-altitude locations would outweigh any minor benefits for the industry.
Q63. The concept of a "weight-losing industry" is best applied to which of the following industries, forcing its manufacturing units to be located near the raw material source?
Explanation
A weight-losing industry is one where the weight of the raw material is higher than that of the finished product. The sugar industry is a classic example because sugarcane is bulky and its sucrose content declines quickly after harvest. Additionally, the final weight of sugar produced is only a small fraction of the raw cane weight. This forces mills to be located near sugarcane fields.
Q64. Which of the following states is traditionally the leading producer of mulberry silk in India?
Explanation
India is a major global producer of silk, with Karnataka leading the production of the mulberry variety. The state accounts for a significant portion of the country’s total raw silk output. Favorable climatic conditions, a strong tradition of sericulture, and government support for silkworm rearing and reeling have established Karnataka as the central hub for mulberry silk production in the southern part of India.
Q65. Consider the following statements regarding the Maharashtra sugar model:
Statement I: The sugar industry in Maharashtra is dominated by private multinational corporations.
Statement II: Cooperative sugar mills form the backbone of the sugar industry in Maharashtra.
Statement I: The sugar industry in Maharashtra is dominated by private multinational corporations.
Statement II: Cooperative sugar mills form the backbone of the sugar industry in Maharashtra.
Explanation
The sugar industry in Maharashtra is not characterized by the dominance of private multinational corporations. Instead, its success and structure are built upon a robust network of cooperative sugar mills. These cooperatives are owned and operated by the farmers themselves, who serve as both the suppliers of sugarcane and the primary stakeholders. Therefore, the statement regarding private multinational dominance is factually incorrect for this region.
Q66. Identify the correct pair regarding government initiatives in industrial sectors.
Explanation
Government initiatives aim to modernize traditional industries through collective infrastructure and resource pooling. Sugar clusters are specifically designed to improve local infrastructure and encourage the efficient use of by-products like molasses and bagasse. This integrated approach helps reduce waste, lower production costs, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the sugar industry in the domestic and international markets, supporting rural economies and sustainable development.
Q67. Find the odd one out among the following steel plants based on their fundamental operational technology.
Explanation
Bhilai, Bokaro, and Durgapur are large-scale integrated steel plants that typically use blast furnaces to process iron ore into steel. In contrast, mini steel plants operate on a smaller, decentralized scale and primarily utilize electric arc furnace technology. Because mini steel plants rely on scrap metal and electricity rather than the full integration of primary smelting, they represent a different operational technology category.
Q68. Which of the following represents the most appropriate reason for the success of cooperative sugar mills in Maharashtra?
Explanation
The cooperative model’s success in Maharashtra stems from the direct involvement of sugarcane farmers as owners of the processing mills. This ownership ensures that the farmers have a vested interest in providing a high-quality, steady supply of cane to their own factories. The system also promotes timely harvesting and guarantees that the profits generated from the sale of sugar are shared equitably among the members.
Q69. In which city was the first successful modern mechanized cotton textile mill established in India in 1854?
Explanation
While early attempts were made elsewhere, the first successful modern mechanized cotton textile mill in India was established in Mumbai in 1854. This mill, founded by Cowasjee Nanabhoy Davar, marked the beginning of India’s industrial revolution in the textile sector. Mumbai’s location provided the necessary capital, entrepreneurship, port access, and proximity to raw cotton growing regions to support the mill’s long-term success.
Q70. What was a major effect of the partition of India in 1947 on the jute textile industry in West Bengal?
Explanation
The partition of India in 1947 had a severe impact on the jute industry in West Bengal. While most of the jute mills remained in India (specifically along the Hooghly river), the vast majority of high-quality jute-producing fertile lands were located in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). This created a critical shortage of raw material for the Indian mills, forcing the country to significantly expand its own jute cultivation.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 61 | (a) It produces less total fabric volume annually than the traditional handloom sector. |
| 62 | (c) High altitude mountainous terrain for cooling machinery |
| 63 | (d) Sugar industry |
| 64 | (c) Karnataka |
| 65 | (d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct |
| 66 | (d) Sugar Clusters - Designed to improve infrastructure, by-product utilization, and competitiveness |
| 67 | (a) Mini steel plants |
| 68 | (c) Farmers have a direct stake, ensuring assured cane supply and mutual profit sharing. |
| 69 | (a) Mumbai |
| 70 | (d) The mills lost their raw material base as major jute areas went to East Pakistan (Bangladesh). |
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.