Geography chapter practice
Practise 80+ Minerals and Energy Resources MCQs for UPSC Prelims in Geography, including 7+ previous year questions. The sample set below is shown with correct answers and explanations.
12 sample questions are shown here; sign up free to practise all 80.
Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of India, are rich sources of which one of the following?
Explanation
Correct. Ilmenite (FeTiO3) and rutile (TiO2) are major titanium-bearing heavy minerals found in coastal placer deposits along Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha coasts.
With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Monazite is a source of rare earths. 2. Monazite contains thorium. 3. Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India. 4. In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Correct. Monazite is a rare-earth phosphate mineral that contains thorium. Because of its strategic importance as a thorium source, its processing and export are restricted to government-linked entities. However, it is not found on all Indian coastal sands.
Consider the following minerals: 1. Bentonite 2. Chromite 3. Kyanite 4. Sillimanite In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals?
Explanation
Correct. Chromite, kyanite, and sillimanite are classified as major minerals under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. Bentonite is classified as a minor mineral.
In which of the following regions of India are shale gas resources found? 1. Cambay Basin 2. Cauvery Basin 3. Krishna-Godavari Basin Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
Correct. All three basins — Cambay, Cauvery, and Krishna-Godavari — have been identified as having significant shale gas resources by agencies such as the USGS and India's Directorate General of Hydrocarbons.
With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called 'coalbed methane' and 'shale gas', consider the following statements: 1. Coalbed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks. 2. In India, abundant coalbed methane sources exist, but so far no shale gas sources have been found. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Correct. Statement 1 is wrong because shale gas is mainly methane, not a propane-butane mixture. Statement 2 is wrong because India has identified shale gas resources in several sedimentary basins.
Consider the following statements: 1. Natural gas occurs in the Gondwana beds. 2. Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma. 3. Dharwars are famous for petroleum. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Correct. Kodarma in Jharkhand is one of India's most important mica-producing centres. Statement 1 is wrong because Gondwana beds yield coal, not natural gas, and Statement 3 is wrong because Dharwar formations are known for metallic minerals, not petroleum.
In which one of the following states are Namchik-Namphuk Coalfields located?
Explanation
Correct. The Namchik-Namphuk coalfields are located in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. They contain tertiary coal deposits.
Which of the following areas in India has the highest potential for generating electricity from ocean waves?
Explanation
Correct. The western coast of India, particularly the area near Kanyakumari where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean meet, has the highest wave energy potential due to consistent and powerful wave action.
With reference to India's solar energy potential, consider the following statements: 1. The western Rajasthan and Gujarat regions receive the highest solar insolation in India. 2. India's solar energy potential is estimated at over 750 GW. 3. Solar energy is classified as a non-conventional and renewable source of energy. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Correct. Western Rajasthan and Gujarat receive very high solar insolation. India's estimated solar potential exceeds 750 GW. Solar energy is a renewable, non-conventional energy source.
Which of the following minerals is used as a raw material for the cement industry?
Explanation
Correct. Both limestone and dolomite are important non-metallic minerals used as raw materials in the cement industry. Limestone is the primary ingredient, and dolomite is used as an additive.
Which of the following statements about India's mineral conservation efforts is/are correct? 1. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act governs mineral exploration and mining in India. 2. The concept of 'District Mineral Foundation' was introduced to benefit mining-affected areas. 3. Environmental Impact Assessment is not required for mining projects in India. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
Correct. The MMDR Act is the primary legislation governing mining. The District Mineral Foundation (DMF) was introduced through a 2015 amendment to channel mining revenue for the welfare of mining-affected communities. Statement 3 is wrong because EIA is mandatory for mining projects above a certain threshold.
Which of the following is/are advantages of natural gas over coal as an energy source? 1. Lower carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy produced 2. Higher thermal efficiency when used in combined-cycle power plants 3. Absence of particulate matter and sulphur dioxide emissions Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
Correct. Natural gas emits significantly less CO2 than coal, achieves higher efficiency in combined-cycle plants (up to 60% vs 33-40% for coal), and produces almost no particulate matter or sulphur dioxide.
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