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Q1Geography·Minerals and Energy ResourcesPYQ 2026
Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct?
1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India.
3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector.
4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- A1 and 3 onlyCorrect
- B3 only
- C1, 3 and 4
- D1, 2 and 4
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
The NCMM statement is correct, but the technological-use statement is also correct. Rare earths are inputs to components used in advanced computing, robotics and aerospace systems, rather than a category with no relevance to those technologies.
- Option C
Statements 1 and 3 are correct, but adding statement 4 makes this option wrong. The standard grouping has 17 elements, not 13; “critical minerals” is a broader policy category and should not be treated as an identical list.
- Option D
This option includes both false claims: India is not the second-largest rare-earth miner, and the group does not contain 13 elements. It also leaves out the correct 2025 NCMM statement.
Q2Geography·Minerals and Energy ResourcesPYQ 2023
Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of India, are rich sources of which one of the following?
- AAluminium
- BCopper
- CIron
- DTitaniumCorrect
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.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Ilmenite and rutile are not aluminium ores. Bauxite is the primary ore of aluminium.
- Option B
Copper ores include chalcopyrite and malachite, not ilmenite or rutile.
- Option C
Iron ores are haematite and magnetite. Though ilmenite contains some iron, it is commercially valued for titanium.
Q3Geography·Minerals and Energy ResourcesPYQ 2022
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?
- A1, 2 and 3 only
- B1, 2 and 4 onlyCorrect
- C3 and 4 only
- D1, 2, 3 and 4
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.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 3 is incorrect. Monazite is not found uniformly across the entire Indian coastline; it is concentrated in specific stretches such as the Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha coasts.
- Option C
Statements 1 and 2 are also correct. Monazite is indeed a source of rare earths and contains thorium.
- Option D
Statement 3 is incorrect. Monazite does not occur across all Indian coastal sands uniformly.
Q4Geography·Minerals and Energy ResourcesPYQ 2020
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?
- A1 and 2 only
- B4 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D2, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect
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.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Bentonite is classified as a minor mineral in India, not a major mineral.
- Option B
Sillimanite is a major mineral, but so are chromite and kyanite.
- Option C
Bentonite is a minor mineral, so this combination is incorrect.
Q5Geography·Minerals and Energy ResourcesPYQ 2016
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.
- A1 and 2 only
- B3 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
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.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
The Krishna-Godavari Basin is also a known shale gas bearing region in India.
- Option B
The Cambay and Cauvery Basins are also identified as having shale gas potential.
- Option C
The Cambay Basin in Gujarat is one of the earliest identified shale gas regions in India.
Q6Geography·Minerals and Energy ResourcesPYQ 2014
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?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2Correct
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.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 1 is incorrect. Shale gas is primarily methane (not a mixture of propane and butane only) trapped within shale formations.
- Option B
Statement 2 is incorrect. India has identified shale gas potential in basins like Cambay, Cauvery, and Krishna-Godavari.
- Option C
Both statements are incorrect. Shale gas is predominantly methane, and India does have identified shale gas sources.
Q7Geography·Minerals and Energy ResourcesPYQ 2013
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?
- A1 and 2
- B2 onlyCorrect
- C2 and 3
- DNone
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.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 1 is incorrect. Gondwana beds are primarily associated with coal, not natural gas. Natural gas is found in Tertiary sedimentary formations.
- Option C
Statement 3 is incorrect. Dharwar rocks are known for metallic minerals like gold, iron, and manganese, not petroleum.
- Option D
Statement 2 is correct. Kodarma is a well-known mica belt in Jharkhand.
Q8Geography·Minerals and Energy ResourcesPYQ 2008
In which one of the following states are Namchik-Namphuk Coalfields located?
- AArunachal PradeshCorrect
- BMeghalaya
- CManipur
- DMizoram
Explanation
Correct. The Namchik-Namphuk coalfields are located in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. They contain tertiary coal deposits.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Meghalaya has coalfields in the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills, but Namchik-Namphuk is in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Option C
Manipur does not have the Namchik-Namphuk coalfields.
- Option D
Mizoram does not host the Namchik-Namphuk coalfields.
Q9Geography·Minerals and Energy Resources
Which of the following areas in India has the highest potential for generating electricity from ocean waves?
- AThe Sundarbans delta
- BThe Gujarat coast near the Gulf of Khambhat
- CThe western coast of India, especially near KanyakumariCorrect
- DThe Lakshadweep islands
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.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
The Sundarbans have tidal potential but limited wave energy due to shallow waters.
- Option B
The Gulf of Khambhat is better known for tidal energy potential.
- Option D
Lakshadweep has some ocean energy potential but is limited by scale.
Q10Geography·Minerals and Energy Resources
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?
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
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.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 3 is also correct. Solar is a well-recognised renewable energy source.
- Option B
Statement 1 is also correct. Western Rajasthan and Gujarat receive the highest solar radiation.
- Option C
Statement 2 is also correct. India's solar potential is estimated at 748 GW or more.
Q11Geography·Minerals and Energy Resources
Which of the following minerals is used as a raw material for the cement industry?
- ABauxite
- BLimestone
- CDolomite
- DBoth (b) and (c)Correct
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.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Bauxite is the ore of aluminium and is not a primary raw material for cement.
- Option B
Limestone is indeed a key raw material, but dolomite is also used.
- Option C
Dolomite is used in cement production, but limestone is also a primary raw material.
Q12Geography·Minerals and Energy Resources
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.
- A1 only
- B1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
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.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 2 is also correct about the District Mineral Foundation.
- Option C
Statement 3 is incorrect. EIA is mandatory for mining projects in India under the EIA Notification.
- Option D
Statement 3 is incorrect. Environmental Impact Assessment is required for mining projects.