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 11–20 of 51 questions
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q11. Consider the following statements regarding copper deposits in India: I. The Balaghat mines in Madhya Pradesh produce over half of India’s copper. II. The Khetri copper belt is located in the Aravali range of Rajasthan. III. The Singhbhum district of Jharkhand is a leading producer of copper. IV. India is highly self-sufficient in copper production and heavily exports it. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
India faces a deficiency in copper reserves and production, requiring significant imports to meet domestic demand. The Balaghat mines in Madhya Pradesh and the Khetri belt in Rajasthan are the primary producers. Additionally, the Singhbhum district in Jharkhand contributes to the total output. Despite these major mining operations, the country is not self-sufficient and does not export copper extensively.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q12. Manganese is primarily used as an essential raw material in the manufacturing of which of the following?
Explanation
Manganese is a critical mineral primarily utilised in the iron and steel industry. It acts as a deoxidizing and desulphurizing agent during the steelmaking process, helping to remove impurities. Furthermore, it is essential for the production of ferro-manganese and other ferro-alloys, which provide hardness and durability to steel products used in construction, machinery, and various industrial manufacturing sectors.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q13. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Mineral
Prominent Deposit/Mine
A. Copper
i. Bailadila
B. Manganese
ii. Panchpatmali
C. Iron Ore
iii. Malanjkhand
D. Bauxite
iv. Nagpur-Bhandara
Codes:
Explanation
Major mineral deposits in India are distributed across specific regions. Malanjkhand is a key site for copper in Madhya Pradesh, while the Nagpur- Bhandara belt is prominent for manganese. Bailadila is one of the most significant iron ore mines in Chhattisgarh. Panchpatmali in Odisha is known for its massive bauxite deposits, which are essential for the production of aluminium metal.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q14. Which of the following statements regarding the Kudremukh iron ore deposits is incorrect?
Explanation
The Kudremukh iron ore mines operate as a dedicated export unit located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. The ore is not transported by rail to eastern domestic plants; instead, it is moved as slurry through a specialized pipeline to the port at Mangaluru. This efficient transportation method facilitates direct international shipping from the western coast to global markets for processing.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q15. The Malanjkhand deposits of Madhya Pradesh are crucial for India’s industrial sector because they yield a metal primarily characterized by:
Explanation
The Malanjkhand deposits in Madhya Pradesh are a primary source of copper, which is highly valued for its exceptional electrical conductivity and ductility. These properties make copper indispensable in the electrical industry for manufacturing wires, cables, and electronic components. Its ability to be drawn into thin wires while maintaining conductivity is essential for efficient power transmission and modern technological infrastructure.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q16. Consider the following statements about Manganese in India: I. It is found in almost all geological formations but mainly associated with the Dharwar system. II. Odisha is one of the leading producers of Manganese. III. It is widely used in manufacturing bleaching powder and insecticides. IV. The Singhbhum district is solely responsible for manganese extraction in eastern India. V. Major manganese deposits in Maharashtra are located in the Nagpur and Bhandara districts. Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Manganese is widely associated with the Dharwar system and is crucial for various industries, including the production of bleaching powder and insecticides. While Odisha is a leading producer and Maharashtra has significant deposits in Nagpur, Singhbhum is not the sole extractor in eastern India. Other regions also contribute to manganese production, making the claim of exclusive responsibility in that area incorrect.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q17. The Khetri copper complex, one of the oldest copper extraction sites in India, is located in which district of Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Khetri copper complex is one of India’s oldest and most significant copper mining areas. It is located in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, situated along the northern part of the Aravalli range. This complex includes several mines and a smelting facility, playing a central role in the domestic production of copper, which is essential for various industrial and electrical applications.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q18. Which of the following is a correctly matched pair of a copper mine and its respective state?
Explanation
The Khetri copper belt is located in Rajasthan and remains a primary center for copper extraction in India. Other pairings are incorrect; Malanjkhand is in Madhya Pradesh, and the Ghatsila mines are situated in Jharkhand. These regions are geologically significant because they host the major copper reserves required for the country’s electrical and manufacturing sectors, despite India’s overall resource scarcity.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q19. The historic Zawar mines of Rajasthan are globally recognized for being one of the oldest extraction sites for which of the following minerals?
Explanation
The Zawar mines near Udaipur in Rajasthan are among the oldest and most famous mining sites in the world. They are globally recognized for the historic and modern extraction of lead and zinc ores. These mines contain polymetallic deposits where lead and zinc are typically found together, along with silver as a valuable by-product recovered during the metal refining process.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q20. The Sukinda Valley is globally renowned for containing over 95% of India’s reserves of which of the following minerals?
Explanation
The Sukinda Valley in Odisha is globally significant because it contains nearly ninety-five percent of India’s chromite reserves. Chromite is an essential mineral used in the production of stainless steel and various chemical industries. The valley’s high concentration of this mineral makes Odisha the dominant producer, supporting both domestic metallurgical requirements and international trade through the export of high-grade ore.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
11
(b) I, II and III only
12
(c) Steel and ferro-alloys
13
(a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii
14
(b) Ore is transported by rail to the east for domestic steel plants.
15
(b) High electrical conductivity and ductility
16
(d) IV only
17
(c) Jhunjhunu
18
(d) Khetri - Rajasthan
19
(c) Lead and Zinc
20
(a) Chromite
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.
