π Chapter 07 Β· Previous Year Questions
Minerals & Energy Resources β Previous Year Questions
10 actual questions from UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year papers on Indian minerals and energy.
π‘ Tip: Mineral questions focus on state-mineral associations. Master the key pairs.
π 10 Previous Year Questions
With reference to minerals of India, consider the following pairs:
1. Mica β Jharkhand
2. Bauxite β Odisha
3. Copper β Karnataka
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
1. Mica β Jharkhand
2. Bauxite β Odisha
3. Copper β Karnataka
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1 only
β
Answer: A) 1 and 2 onlyPairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched. Jharkhand is the largest mica-producing state. Odisha is the largest bauxite-producing state. Pair 3 is incorrect β Copper is mainly found in Rajasthan (Khetri), not Karnataka. Karnataka is famous for gold (Kolar, Hutti). Copper is also found in Jharkhand (Singhbhum) and MP (Balaghat).
The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) is a multipurpose project on which river?
A) Mahanadi
B) Damodar
C) Subarnarekha
D) Brahmani
β
Answer: B) DamodarThe Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) is a multipurpose project on the Damodar river in Jharkhand and West Bengal. It was established in 1948 β modelled on the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) of the USA. The Damodar river was called the “Sorrow of Bengal” due to its frequent floods. DVC controls floods, generates electricity, and provides irrigation.
The Neyveli Lignite Corporation is located in which state?
A) Karnataka
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Andhra Pradesh
D) Kerala
β
Answer: B) Tamil NaduThe Neyveli Lignite Corporation is located in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu. It mines lignite (brown coal) β the lowest quality coal. Lignite is used for thermal power generation. Neyveli has one of the world’s largest lignite deposits. The Neyveli Thermal Power Station generates electricity for Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.
The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is located in:
A) Maharashtra
B) Karnataka
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Andhra Pradesh
β
Answer: C) Tamil NaduThe Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is located in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It is the largest nuclear power plant in India with a capacity of 2,000 MW (2 units of 1,000 MW each). It was built with Russian assistance (Rosatom). It faced protests from local fishermen and environmental groups before becoming operational in 2013.
The KG Basin (Krishna-Godavari Basin) is famous for:
A) Iron ore deposits
B) Natural gas reserves
C) Coal deposits
D) Uranium deposits
β
Answer: B) Natural gas reservesThe KG Basin (Krishna-Godavari Basin) off the coast of Andhra Pradesh is famous for its natural gas reserves. Reliance Industries discovered large natural gas reserves here (D6 block). The KG Basin is one of the most promising hydrocarbon basins in India. Natural gas from KG Basin is used for power generation and fertiliser production.
The Muppandal Wind Farm, one of the largest in India, is located in:
A) Gujarat
B) Rajasthan
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Maharashtra
β
Answer: C) Tamil NaduThe Muppandal Wind Farm in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu is one of the largest wind farms in India. Tamil Nadu is the leading state in wind energy production. India is the 4th largest wind power producer in the world. The Jaisalmer Wind Park in Rajasthan is also one of the largest wind farms in India.
The Singhbhum region in Jharkhand is famous for which mineral?
A) Coal
B) Mica
C) Copper and Iron ore
D) Bauxite
β
Answer: C) Copper and Iron oreThe Singhbhum region in Jharkhand is famous for copper and iron ore. It is one of the oldest geological formations in India. The Singhbhum copper belt is one of the major copper-producing areas in India. The region also has significant iron ore deposits. Jharkhand is the leading state for iron ore, mica, and copper production.
The Tehri Dam, one of the highest dams in the world, is built on which river?
A) Ganga
B) Bhagirathi (Ganga tributary)
C) Yamuna
D) Alaknanda
β
Answer: B) BhagirathiThe Tehri Dam is built on the Bhagirathi river (a tributary of the Ganga) in Uttarakhand. It is one of the highest dams in the world (~261m). It generates 2,400 MW of hydroelectric power. The dam submerged the old Tehri town. It faced protests from environmentalists and local communities. The reservoir is also used for irrigation and water supply.
The Puga Valley in Ladakh is known for which type of non-conventional energy?
A) Solar energy
B) Wind energy
C) Geothermal energy
D) Tidal energy
β
Answer: C) Geothermal energyThe Puga Valley in Ladakh is known for its geothermal energy potential. It has hot springs and geysers that indicate geothermal activity. India has significant geothermal potential in Ladakh (Puga Valley), Himachal Pradesh (Manikaran), and other areas. Geothermal energy uses heat from the Earth’s interior to generate electricity.
India’s largest iron ore producing state is:
A) Odisha
B) Jharkhand
C) Chhattisgarh
D) Karnataka
β
Answer: A) OdishaOdisha is India’s largest iron ore producing state, accounting for about 55% of India’s iron ore production. Major iron ore deposits in Odisha: Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj. Jharkhand (Singhbhum) and Chhattisgarh (Bailadila) are also major producers. India is the 4th largest iron ore producer in the world.