Q1. The major metallic minerals in India are primarily associated with which of the following geological formations?
Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic: RAS Prelims MCQs
51 RAS Prelims MCQs on the minerals of India cover metallic and non-metallic minerals, coal and petroleum. The explanations link each mineral to its geology, its leading States and its use: iron ore grades, manganese, copper at Khetri, chromite at Sukinda, mica, limestone, gypsum and the oil and gas basins.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 51 questions
Q2. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Peninsular plateau region of India holds the bulk of the country’s metallic mineral reserves.
Reason (R): The Peninsular plateau is primarily composed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks which are highly mineralised.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Peninsular plateau region of India holds the bulk of the country’s metallic mineral reserves.
Reason (R): The Peninsular plateau is primarily composed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks which are highly mineralised.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Explanation
The Peninsular plateau serves as the storehouse of India’s metallic mineral wealth because it consists of ancient rock formations that underwent extensive tectonic and volcanic activity. These geological processes facilitated the concentration of minerals like iron and manganese within the crust. Therefore, the specific rock composition explains why the majority of the country’s mineral reserves are located here.
Q3. Which of the following is the highest quality iron ore, characterised by a high iron content of up to 70 percent and excellent magnetic qualities?
Explanation
Magnetite is a very high-quality iron ore, typically possessing a distinctive dark grey to black colour. It contains a high iron content of up to seventy percent, making it extremely valuable for industrial use. Furthermore, it exhibits superior magnetic properties, which are particularly beneficial for applications in the electrical and electronic industries during the manufacturing of various components.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding iron ore deposits in India:
I. Jharkhand and Odisha form a major contiguous iron ore belt.
II. Bailadila mines in Chhattisgarh are renowned for producing high-grade hematite ore.
III. Kudremukh deposits in Karnataka are exclusively mined for domestic consumption.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. Jharkhand and Odisha form a major contiguous iron ore belt.
II. Bailadila mines in Chhattisgarh are renowned for producing high-grade hematite ore.
III. Kudremukh deposits in Karnataka are exclusively mined for domestic consumption.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
The iron ore belt spanning Jharkhand and Odisha provides a significant portion of India’s total output. Specifically, the Bailadila mines in Chhattisgarh are famous for producing high-grade hematite ore, essential for steelmaking. However, the Kudremukh deposits in Karnataka operate primarily as export-oriented units, where iron ore is transported in slurry form via a pipeline to the coast.
Q5. Which of the following statements correctly identifies the major iron ore producing districts in the state of Odisha?
Explanation
Odisha is a leading producer of iron ore in India, with its high-grade hematite deposits concentrated in specific districts. The Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj districts are particularly prominent, featuring major mines like Badampahar and Gorumahisani. The Sundargarh district also contributes significantly to the state’s total output, supporting the raw material requirements of various domestic steel plants and international export markets.
Q6. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Codes:
| Iron Ore Mine | State |
|---|---|
| A. Bailadila | i. Karnataka |
| B. Noamundi | ii. Odisha |
| C. Kudremukh | iii. Chhattisgarh |
| D. Badampahar | iv. Jharkhand |
Explanation
India’s iron ore mines are strategically located across diverse geological regions. The Bailadila mines are situated in Chhattisgarh, while the Noamundi mine is a major source of iron ore in Jharkhand. Kudremukh is located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, and Badampahar is found in Odisha. These mines are integral to the industrial supply chains of their respective regions.
Q7. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: The Singhbhum district is famous exclusively for iron ore mining and lacks other metallic minerals.
Statement II: Singhbhum forms a part of the rich mineral belt extending across Jharkhand and Odisha.
Select the correct option:
Statement I: The Singhbhum district is famous exclusively for iron ore mining and lacks other metallic minerals.
Statement II: Singhbhum forms a part of the rich mineral belt extending across Jharkhand and Odisha.
Select the correct option:
Explanation
The Singhbhum district of Jharkhand is a highly mineralised zone and is not limited exclusively to iron ore extraction. It is also a significant producer of other metallic minerals, most notably copper. This district forms an integral part of the rich mineral belt that extends across the border into Odisha, making it one of the most productive mining regions.
Q8. Arrange the following types of iron ore based on their average iron content in decreasing order:
I. Siderite
II. Magnetite
III. Limonite
IV. Hematite
Select the correct order using the options below:
I. Siderite
II. Magnetite
III. Limonite
IV. Hematite
Select the correct order using the options below:
Explanation
Magnetite has the highest iron content, followed by hematite, then limonite and siderite. The order is II, IV, III, I.
Q9. Identify the odd one out among the following based on their status as major iron ore mining regions in India.
Explanation
Bailadila, Kudremukh, and Singhbhum are all major hubs for iron ore mining in India, contributing significantly to the steel industry and exports. In contrast, Khetri is primarily famous for its copper deposits and long-standing history of copper extraction. Therefore, it stands out from the other locations, which are predominantly associated with the production and processing of iron ore.
Q10. Which of the following states is the largest producer of manganese ore in India and is home to the Balaghat mines?
Explanation
Madhya Pradesh is a leading state in the production of manganese ore in India. The Balaghat mines in this state are particularly renowned, contributing a significant percentage of the country’s total manganese output. Manganese is an essential raw material used in the iron and steel industry, and these mines play a crucial role in meeting domestic and international industrial demands.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks |
| 2 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 3 | (c) Magnetite |
| 4 | (a) I and II only |
| 5 | (c) Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, and Sundargarh |
| 6 | (a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 7 | (d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct |
| 8 | (a) II, IV, III, I |
| 9 | (a) Khetri |
| 10 | (d) Madhya Pradesh |
Key facts from Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
- Major metallic minerals are linked with ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks; magnetite is the highest-grade iron ore.
- The Khetri copper complex in Jhunjhunu is one of the oldest in India; the Malanjkhand copper deposits are in Madhya Pradesh.
- The Zawar mines in Rajasthan are known for lead and zinc.
- Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer of manganese ore; the Sukinda Valley holds over 95 per cent of India’s chromite.
- Limestone is a weight-losing, bulky raw material, so cement plants sit near quarries.
- Rock phosphate is mined at Jhamarkotra in Udaipur; gypsum is used to reclaim alkaline and saline soils; the Barmer basin and the Krishna-Godavari Basin are important oil and gas areas.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic?
This page has 51 practice MCQs on Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic (Indian Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which iron ore has the highest iron content?
Magnetite, with the highest iron content, followed by hematite, limonite and siderite. India has large deposits of hematite and magnetite, mostly in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, and Indian ore is exported as well as used in domestic steel plants.
Where is the Sukinda Valley and what is it known for?
The Sukinda Valley is in Odisha and holds over 95 per cent of India’s chromite reserves. Chromite is used to make stainless steel and other alloys, and Odisha is by far the largest chromite producer.
Why are cement plants built near limestone quarries?
Because limestone is a weight-losing, bulky raw material. Making cement removes much of its weight, so it costs less to carry the cement to the market than to carry the limestone to a distant plant.