Minerals of Rajasthan: Metallic and Non-Metallic: RAS Prelims MCQs
56 RAS Prelims MCQs on the minerals of Rajasthan test which mineral comes from which district and why it matters. Makrana marble, Khetri copper, Zawar zinc, Jamsar gypsum, rock phosphate and sandstone are asked as pairs, sequences and statements, and the explanations give the mineral’s use.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 31–40 of 56 questions
Explanation
Makrana marble is a high-quality white metamorphic rock that was the first stone from Asia to receive the Global Heritage Stone Resource designation. This status recognizes its international historical, architectural, and cultural importance. The marble remains an active resource and is pried for premium construction, sculptures, and preserving iconic monuments like the Taj Mahal rather than for industrial fertilizer use.I. Rampura-Agucha
II. Rajpura-Dariba
III. Zawar
Which of the following represents the correct sequence?
Explanation
The major lead-zinc deposits of Rajasthan follow a North to South geographical distribution. Rampura-Agucha in the Bhilwara district is the northernmost of the three. Moving south, Rajpura-Dariba is located in the Rajsamand district. The Zawar mines in the Udaipur district represent the southernmost point in this sequence. This alignment reflects the structural trend of the mineralized belts within the state.Explanation
Rock phosphate is an essential mineral used primarily for the production of phosphatic fertilizers like Single Super Phosphate (SSP) and Diammonium Phosphate (DAP). Given India’s large agricultural sector, the extraction of rock phosphate from Udaipur and Jaisalmer is a national priority. These deposits provide the necessary phosphorus content required to improve soil fertility and enhance crop yields across the country.Explanation
The rock phosphate deposits found in the Jaisalmer district, particularly in the Birmania area, are characterized as low-grade sedimentary formations. Unlike the high-grade crystalline deposits found in some other regions, these occur as phosphatic nodules and layers within sedimentary rock sequences. While they are less commercially valuable than the Jhamarkotra deposits, they still represent a significant part of the state’s inventory.Explanation
Gypsum is used in agriculture to treat "usar" or alkaline soils. Chemically, it provides calcium ions that replace excess sodium ions on the soil particles. This replacement improves the physical structure of the soil, making it more porous and allowing for better water percolation and root growth. This fundamental chemical process is vital for reclaiming unproductive lands in arid regions.Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Beneficiation plants for Rock Phosphate have been established at Jhamarkotra in Udaipur.
Reason (R): The locally extracted rock phosphate ore contains high levels of silica and dolomite impurities that must be removed to upgrade it for fertilizer grade.
Explanation
Beneficiation plants are essential at Jhamarkotra because the raw rock phosphate ore often contains high levels of silica and dolomite. These impurities must be removed to produce a high-grade concentrate suitable for fertilizer manufacturing. By processing the low-grade ore locally, the industry ensures the efficient utilization of the resource and improves the economic viability of the operations in Udaipur.Explanation
Rajasthan does not have any independent, large-scale pure silver mines. All significant silver production in the state is derived as a by-product during the smelting of lead and zinc ores from mines like Zawar and Rajpura-Dariba. While the state is the top silver producer in India, this production is entirely linked to the processing of polymetallic base metal ores.| Famous Mining Area | Corresponding Mineral |
|---|---|
| A. Jhamarkotra | i. Marble |
| B. Makrana | ii. Copper |
| C. Rampura-Agucha | iii. Rock Phosphate |
| D. Khetri | iv. Zinc |
Explanation
Jhamarkotra is the leading site for rock phosphate. Makrana is synonymous with high-quality white marble. Rampura-Agucha is a world-class source for zinc and lead. Khetri is the heart of copper mining in Rajasthan. These associations are fundamental to understanding the state’s economic geography, as each location is a primary national center for its respective mineral, contributing to growth.Explanation
Sandstone is a classic example of a sedimentary rock, formed from the accumulation and cementation of sand-sized mineral grains or rock fragments over millions of years. In Rajasthan, extensive sandstone formations in districts like Jodhpur, Bundi, and Dholpur provide a variety of building stones. These rocks are characterized by their layered structure and are widely used in construction due to durability.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (d) Tungsten -- Degana (Nagaur) |
| 32 | (a) It was the first stone resource in Asia designated as a Global Heritage Stone Resource by IUGS |
| 33 | (a) I, II, III |
| 34 | (a) Phosphatic Fertilizers like SSP and DAP |
| 35 | (d) They are low-grade, sedimentary phosphatic nodules occurring primarily in the Birmania area |
| 36 | (b) Its capacity to replace sodium ions with calcium ions, improving soil structure and percolation |
| 37 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 38 | (d) Rajasthan possesses independent, extremely large pure silver mines in the Thar desert |
| 39 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
| 40 | (b) Sedimentary Rock |
Key facts from Minerals of Rajasthan: Metallic and Non-Metallic
- Makrana in Nagaur supplied the white marble of the Taj Mahal and the Victoria Memorial.
- Red sandstone for famous buildings comes from Dholpur and Bharatpur.
- Jamsar is a large gypsum deposit; Bikaner has the largest gypsum deposits.
- The Degana mines in Nagaur are on Rewat Hill; rock phosphate is mined at Jhamarkotra (Udaipur) and Birmania and Fatehgarh (Jaisalmer).
- Copper: Khetri-Singhana in Jhunjhunu, Kho-Dariba in Alwar, Pur-Dariba in Bhilwara, Bhagot-ka-Bas in Sikar.
- From north to south, mining centres run Khetri, Rampura-Agucha, Rajpura-Dariba and Zawar.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Minerals of Rajasthan: Metallic and Non-Metallic?
This page has 56 practice MCQs on Minerals of Rajasthan: Metallic and Non-Metallic (Rajasthan Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Where did the Taj Mahal’s marble come from?
From Makrana in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan. Makrana marble is white and fine-grained, and it was also used for the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, and Makrana is still a major centre of the marble trade.
Where is rock phosphate mined in Rajasthan?
At Jhamarkotra in Udaipur district, the largest deposit in India, and at Birmania and Fatehgarh in Jaisalmer. It is used to make phosphatic fertilisers like SSP and DAP.
What is Jamsar known for?
Jamsar, near Bikaner, is a large gypsum mine. Gypsum is used in cement, plaster and as a soil amendment to reclaim alkaline and saline land, and Rajasthan dominates India’s gypsum production.