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 41–50 of 51 questions
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q41. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Natural Gas/Oil Field
Basin/Region
A. Mangala
i. Assam
B. Ravva
ii. Barmer Basin
C. Naharkatiya
iii. Cambay Basin
D. Hazira
iv. Krishna-Godavari Basin
Codes:
Explanation
Mangala is in the Barmer Basin, Ravva in the Krishna-Godavari Basin, Naharkatiya in Assam and Hazira in the Cambay Basin. This gives A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q42. Consider the following statements about natural gas and oil fields in Rajasthan: I. The Barmer-Sanchor basin has emerged as a significant onshore oil and gas producing region. II. Mangala, Bhagyam, and Aishwarya are major oil fields in this region. III. Jaisalmer basin contains promising reserves of natural gas. IV. The oil extracted from Rajasthan is entirely offshore. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
The Barmer-Sanchor basin is a major onshore oil and gas region, with Mangala, Bhagyam and Aishwarya fields, and the Jaisalmer basin has promising gas reserves. The oil is onshore, not offshore, so IV is wrong.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q43. The primary objective of the National Mineral Policy of India regarding conservation is to ensure:
Explanation
The National Mineral Policy emphasizes the conservation of mineral resources through scientific and sustainable exploitation. The primary goal is to ensure that minerals are extracted efficiently to minimize waste and environmental damage. This includes adopting modern technologies for better recovery and promoting the ‘zero-waste’ concept, ensuring that mineral wealth is managed responsibly for the benefit of both the current and future generations.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q44. Mineral conservation often emphasizes the recycling of scrap metals. What is the direct effect of utilizing scrap metal in industries like steel and aluminium?
Explanation
Utilizing scrap metal in industrial production significantly conserves natural resources by reducing the need to extract and process virgin ores. Recycling metals like steel and aluminium is also far less energy-intensive than primary production from raw minerals. This practice lowers the overall environmental footprint of the manufacturing sector, decreases greenhouse gas emissions, and extends the lifespan of the country’s finite mineral reserves.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q45. Which of the following represents the correct chronological sequence of the commercial discovery/development of major oil and gas fields in India?
Explanation
The history of oil discovery in India began with Digboi in Assam during the late 1800s. Decades later, the major offshore field at Mumbai High was developed in the 1970s. This was followed by significant natural gas discoveries in the Krishna- Godavari Basin. More recently, the Mangala field in Rajasthan’s Barmer Basin was brought into commercial production, representing a major onshore success.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q46. Which of the following practices is an exception and is NOT considered a measure for the sustainable use and conservation of minerals?
Explanation
Sustainable mineral use involves scientific methods, recycling, and substituting scarce minerals with more abundant alternatives. In contrast, unregulated rat-hole mining is a dangerous and unscientific practice that leads to severe environmental degradation, including water pollution and land subsidence. It also poses significant safety risks to miners and results in the inefficient extraction of resources, which contradicts the core principles of mineral conservation.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q47. Consider the following statements regarding the challenges of sustainable mineral use: I. Mining operations often lead to deforestation and loss of biodiversity. II. Proper disposal of mine waste and reclamation of abandoned mines are costly and complex. III. Unscientific mining methods reduce the life span of mineral reserves. IV. The use of fossil fuels in the extraction process contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. V. Sustainable mining mandates that mineral extraction should purely focus on immediate economic gains irrespective of environmental impact. Which of the above statements represents the correct understanding of sustainable use challenges?
Explanation
Sustainable mineral management faces several challenges, including environmental impacts like deforestation and the technical complexity of mine reclamation. Unscientific mining methods and the high carbon footprint of extraction processes also hinder sustainability. However, sustainable mining does not focus purely on immediate economic gains; instead, it requires balancing economic benefits with environmental protection and social responsibility to ensure long-term resource availability.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q48. Given below are two statements: Statement I: The discovery of hydrocarbons in the Barmer basin drastically transformed the economic landscape of western Rajasthan. Statement II: The Barmer basin oil fields are managed exclusively by the State Government of Rajasthan without any central or private involvement. Select the correct option:
Explanation
The discovery of oil and gas in the Barmer basin has significantly boosted the economy of western Rajasthan by creating jobs and infrastructure. However, the management of these fields involves collaboration between the Central Government, the State Government, and private companies through production sharing contracts. It is not an exclusive operation of the State Government, as national energy security and private investment are involved.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q49. Which of the following pairs correctly identifies a challenge in mineral conservation with its appropriate mitigation strategy?
Explanation
A major challenge in the mineral sector is the gradual depletion of high-quality ore deposits. To mitigate this, industries must adopt advanced beneficiation and processing technologies that allow for the economic utilization of low-grade ores. This strategy helps extend the life of existing mineral reserves and ensures a stable supply of raw materials, which is a key component of sustainable mineral conservation.
RAS PrelimsIndian Geography · Minerals of India: Metallic and Non-Metallic
Q50. The Khetri copper belt is historically significant not just for modern mining, but because evidence suggests mining activities here date back to which ancient civilization?
Explanation
The Khetri copper belt in Rajasthan has a long history of human interaction, with archaeological evidence suggesting that copper mining and smelting activities occurred there during the Indus Valley Civilization. Artifacts from sites like Ganeshwar indicate that this region was a primary source of copper for ancient peoples. This historical continuity highlights the enduring geological and economic importance of the Aravalli range’s mineral wealth.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
41
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii
42
(c) I, II and III only
43
(b) Sustainable mining practices with a zero- waste objective and scientific exploitation
44
(b) Reduces energy consumption and virgin ore depletion.
45
(b) Digboi, Mumbai High, KG Basin, Mangala (Barmer)
46
(c) Unregulated artisanal rat-hole mining
47
(c) I, II, III and IV only
48
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
49
(b) Depletion of high-grade ores - Upgrading technology to process low-grade ores economically
50
(d) Indus Valley Civilization
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.
