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 31–40 of 51 questions
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q31. Consider the following statements regarding Rock Phosphate: I. It is an essential raw material for the production of phosphatic fertilizers. II. Jhamarkotra in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan is the largest rock phosphate deposit in India. III. Rock phosphate is predominantly mined in the coastal alluvial tracts of Kerala. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Rock phosphate is the raw material for phosphatic fertilisers, and Jhamarkotra in Udaipur district is the largest deposit in India. It is not mined mainly in the coastal alluvial tracts of Kerala, so III is wrong.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q32. Gypsum is widely applied in agricultural fields in Rajasthan and Punjab. What is the primary cause-and-effect relationship justifying this practice?
Explanation
Gypsum is used in Rajasthan and Punjab as a soil amendment to reclaim alkaline and saline soils, since the calcium helps replace the sodium.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q33. Which of the following statements correctly differentiates Gondwana coal from Tertiary coal in India?
Explanation
Gondwana coal is older and of metallurgical grade, found mostly in the peninsula, while Tertiary coal is younger, mostly lignite, and found in the north-east and in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q34. Identify the odd one out from the following coalfields based on their geological formation period.
Explanation
Jharia, Raniganj, and Singrauli are major coalfields belonging to the Gondwana geological period, which accounts for the bulk of India’s coal production. Makum, located in Assam, is a Tertiary coalfield. Tertiary coal is geologically much younger and generally contains more moisture and sulphur compared to the older Gondwana coal. This distinction is based on the different eras of carboniferous deposition in India.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q35. Arrange the following stages of coal formation in the correct geological sequence from the earliest (least metamorphosed) to the most advanced (highest carbon content): I. Bituminous II. Peat III. Anthracite IV. Lignite Select the correct order using the options below:
Explanation
Coal formation begins with peat, which is the earliest stage with low carbon content and high moisture. Over geological time and under pressure, it transforms into lignite, often called brown coal. Further compression results in bituminous coal, the most common industrial variety. The final and most advanced stage is anthracite, which has the highest carbon content and the least impurities.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q36. Consider the following statements about Gypsum: I. It is a hydrated sulphate of calcium. II. It is widely used in the cement industry to regulate the setting time of cement. III. Heating gypsum to a high temperature converts it directly into limestone. IV. Plaster of Paris is manufactured from gypsum. Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Gypsum is a hydrated calcium sulphate used extensively in the cement industry to control setting time and in making Plaster of Paris. While heating it produces Plaster of Paris, it does not convert into limestone, which is calcium carbonate. These are chemically distinct minerals with different industrial applications. Gypsum is also valued for soil reclamation in agriculture due to its chemical properties.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q37. Which of the following characteristics is an exception and is NOT generally associated with Gondwana coal fields?
Explanation
Gondwana coal fields are found in the Peninsular region, specifically within the river valleys of the Damodar, Mahanadi, Godavari, and Wardha. They contain high-quality bituminous coal and represent the vast majority of India’s coal reserves. They are not associated with Tertiary formations or the Himalayas; Tertiary coal is much younger and occurs in states like Assam, Meghalaya, and Tamil Nadu.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q38. The Jhamarkotra mines, playing a pivotal role in reducing India’s import dependency for fertilizer raw materials, yield which of the following?
Explanation
The Jhamarkotra mines in Rajasthan are critical for India’s agricultural sector as they are the primary source of rock phosphate. This mineral is the essential raw material required to manufacture phosphatic fertilizers. By producing significant quantities of rock phosphate domestically, these mines help reduce the country’s dependence on expensive imports, supporting food security and the domestic fertilizer manufacturing industry.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q39. Which of the following is recognized as the oldest coalfield in India, having commenced commercial extraction in the 18th century?
Explanation
Raniganj is recognized as the oldest coalfield in India, with commercial mining operations beginning as early as 1774 during the British colonial period. Located primarily in West Bengal, it played a foundational role in the industrialization of the region. It belongs to the Gondwana rock system and remains an important source of coal, although other fields like Jharia currently lead in production.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q40. Which of the following statements correctly highlights the significance of the KG Basin (Krishna-Godavari Basin)?
Explanation
The Krishna-Godavari Basin on India’s east coast is significant for large natural gas discoveries.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
31
(a) I and II only
32
(d) Gypsum acts as a soil amendment to reclaim alkaline and saline soils.
33
(c) Gondwana coal is older metallurgical grade; Tertiary is younger lignite.
34
(d) Makum
35
(a) II, IV, I, III
36
(b) III only
37
(b) They are primarily associated with the Tertiary rock formations of the Himalayas.
38
(a) Rock Phosphate
39
(c) Raniganj
40
(c) Large natural gas discoveries on India’s eastern coast.
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.
