Chapter 7: Mineral and Energy Resources
Geography • Class 12 • Class 12 Indian Human Geography
7
Mineral and Energy Resources
Saved in DatabaseGeography • Class 12 • Class 12 Indian Human Geography
Prelims High-Yield Explanations & Traps
- minerals
- mines are Gurumahisani,
- mines such as Noamundi and Gua
- mines of
- producer of iron ore
- raw material for
- producer of
- deposits of bauxite
- producers
- one
- coal fields in this region are Raniganj,
- coal mining centres are
- minerals which
- Gondwana coal
- oil producing areas
- minerals used for the
- nuclear power
- nuclear power stations
- on the Petroleum resources of India
- iron
Essential Definitions & Formulas
- MINERAL AND ENERGY RESOURCES India
- endowed with a rich variety of mineral resources due to its varied geological structure.
- The vast alluvial plain tract of north India
- devoid of minerals of economic use.
- A mineral
- a natural substance of organic or inorganic origin with definite chemical and physical properties.
- There
- inverse relationship in quality and quantity of minerals i.
- The third main characteristic
- that all minerals are exhaustible over time.
- This belt
- rich in ferrous metals and bauxite.
- Rajasthan
- rich in building stones i.
- Gujarat
- known for its petroleum deposits.
- The Himalayan belt
- another mineral belt where copper, lead, zinc, cobalt and tungsten are known to occur.
- Our country
- well-placed in respect of ferrous minerals both in reserves and production.
- Iron Ore India
- endowed with fairly abundant resources of iron ore.
- Manganese Manganese
- an important raw material for smelting of iron ore and also used for manufacturing ferro alloys.
- Odisha
- the leading producer of Manganese.
- People and Economy Karnataka
- another major producer and here the mines are located in Dharwar, Ballari, Belagavi, North Canara, Chikkmagaluru, Shivamogga, Chitradurg and Tumakuru.
- Maharashtra
- also an important producer of manganese, which is mined in Nagpur, Bhandara and Ratnagiri districts.
- The disadvantage to these mines
- that they are located far from steel plants.
- Ferrous Minerals India
- poorly endowed with non-ferrous metallic minerals except bauxite.
- Bauxite Bauxite
- the ore, which is used in manufacturing of aluminium.
- Bauxite is found mainly in tertiary deposits and
- associated with laterite rocks occurring extensively either on the plateau or hill ranges of peninsular India and also in the coastal tracts of the country.
- Copper Copper
- an indispensable metal in the electrical industry for making wires, electric motors, transformers and generators.
Related PYQs (49)
2016•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.62
What is/are the purpose/purposes of 'District Mineral Foundations' in India?
1
Promoting mineral exploration activities in mineral-rich districts
2
Protecting the interests of the persons affected by mining operations
3
Authorizing State Governments to issue licences for mineral exploration
Welfare and Social Justice
2016•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.74
In which of the following regions of India are shale gas resources found?
1
Cambay Basin
2
Cauvery Basin
3
Krishna-Godavari Basin
Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
2016•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.78
On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label?
1
Ceiling fans
2
Electric geysers
3
Tubular fluorescent lamps
GS-III
2016•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.79
India is an important member of the 'International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor'. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?
GS-III
2018•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.27
Consider the following statements :
1
In India, State Governments do not have the power to auction non-coal mines.
2
Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand do not have gold mines.
3
Rajasthan has iron ore mines.
GS-I - Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
2019•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.48
Consider the following statements :
1
Coal sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi.
2
Now, coal blocks are allocated on lottery basis.
3
Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages of domestic supply, but now India is self-sufficient in coal production.
Economy
2019•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.74
Consider the following statements :
1
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India.
2
One of the tasks of PNGRB is to ensure competitive markets for gas.
3
Appeals against the decisions of PNGRB go before the Appellate Tribunals for Electricity.
Regulatory Bodies
2020•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.55
In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under "IAEA Safeguards" while others are not?
Science and Technology
2020•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.88
With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements:
1
Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps.
2
Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston.
Science and Technology
2020•Prelims•Paper 2 (CSAT)•Q.63
With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1
Governments often provide inefficient and costly subsidies for technologies that may not be ready in the near future.
2
India's commitment of reducing emissions by 33% by 2030 shall be on the basis of gas-based economy.
CSAT
2021•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.18
With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements :
1
It is a product of oil refineries.
2
Some industries use it to generate power.
3
Its use causes sulphur emissions into environment.
General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change
2022•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.72
In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO) ?
1
CCO is the major source of Coal Statistics in Government of India.
2
It monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks.
3
It hears any objection to the Government's notification relating to acquisition of coal-bearing areas.
4
It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time.
Infrastructure - Energy
2022•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.84
Consider the following statements :
1
Gujarat has the largest solar park in India.
2
Kerala has a fully solar powered International Airport.
3
Goa has the largest floating solar photovoltaic project in India.
Infrastructure - Energy
2023•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.6
Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts of India, are rich sources of which one of the following?
Geography
2023•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.7
About three-fourths of world's cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by
Geography
2023•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.11
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I
India, despite having uranium deposits, depends on coal for most of its electricity production.
Statement-II
Uranium, enriched to the extent of at least 60%, is required for the production of electricity.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Indian and World Geography
2023•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.60
With reference to green hydrogen, consider the following statements :
1
It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion.
2
It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation.
3
It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.
Infrastructure - Energy
2023•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.66
With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements :
1
None of them uses seawater.
2
None of them is set up in water-stressed district.
3
None of them is privately owned.
Infrastructure
2023•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.86
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I
Switzerland is one of the leading exporters of gold in terms of value.
Statement-II
Switzerland has the second largest gold reserves in the world.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
World Geography
2023•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.99
Consider the following heavy industries :
1
Fertilizer plants
2
Oil refineries
3
Steel plants
Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?
Science and Technology
2024•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.46
Consider the following materials:
1
Agricultural residues
2
Corn grain
3
Wastewater treatment sludge
4
Wood mill waste
Environment
2024•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.88
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I
Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe.
Statement-II
Sumed pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Geography
2024•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.97
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I
Recently, Venezuela has achieved a rapid recovery from its economic crisis and succeeded in preventing its people from fleeing/emigrating to other countries.
Statement-II
Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Current Events
2025•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.6
Consider the following statements :
I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member.
II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that it has identified.
III. The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for certain critical minerals.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Geography/Natural Resources
2025•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.45
Consider the following substances :
I. Ethanol
II. Nitroglycerine
III. Urea
Coal gasification technology can be used in the production of how many of them?
General Science
2025•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.60
Consider the following activities :
I. Production of crude oil
II. Refining, storage and distribution of petroleum
III. Marketing and sale of petroleum products
IV. Production of natural gas
How many of the above activities are regulated by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board in our country?
GS-III
2025•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.79
Consider the following pairs :
Country: Resource-rich in
I. Botswana: Diamond
II. Chile: Lithium
III. Indonesia: Nickel
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
Geography
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.45
Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct?
1
It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS).
2
It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy.
3
National Green Hydrogen Mission of India aims for abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Science and Technology
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.47
Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct?
1
They use Terahertz band of frequency to communicate with the command centre.
2
Individual drones in the swarm can communicate with other drones in the swarm.
3
GPS Spoofing is a commonly used technique to counter drone swarm attack.
Internal Security
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.95
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.
Geography
2016•Mains•GS-III•Q.11
Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy sources in the country. Discuss in brief the importance of National Programme on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
GS-III
2017•Mains•GS-II•Q.19
The question of India's Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India's economic progress. Analyze India's energy policy cooperation with West Asian countries.
GS-II
2018•Mains•GS-III•Q.1
Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Comment on the progress made in India in this regard.
Infrastructure
2018•Mains•GS-III•Q.16
With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy.
GS-III
2020•Mains•GS-I•Q.16
India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its development. Elaborate.
GS-I
2020•Mains•GS-III•Q.16
Describe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast to the conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by our Government for this purpose?
GS-III - Infrastructure (Solar Energy)
2021•Mains•GS-I•Q.5
Despite India being one of the countries of the Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss.
Economic Geography
2021•Mains•GS-I•Q.16
Discuss the multi-dimensional implications of uneven distribution of mineral oil in the world.
Economic Geography
2021•Mains•GS-III•Q.6
Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?
GS-III
2022•Mains•GS-I•Q.7
Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread.
Infrastructure (Energy - Wind Energy)
2022•Mains•GS-IV•Q.9
(a) What are the options available with Ashok to cope up with the situation?
(b) Critically evaluate/examine each of the options identified by Ashok.
(c) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Ashok?
(d) Which of the options, do you think, would be the most appropriate for Ashok to adopt and why?
(e) In the above scenario, what type of training would you suggest for police officers posted to such districts where stone mining illegal activities are rampant?
GS-IV
2022•Mains•GS-III•Q.12
Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above objective? Explain.
GS-III
2023•Mains•GS-I•Q.14
Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas.
GS-I
2025•Mains•GS-I•Q.5
What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples.
Geography
2025•Mains•GS-I•Q.14
Give a geographical explanation of the distribution of off-shore oil reserves of the world. How are they different from the on-shore occurrences of oil reserves?
Geography
2025•Mains•GS-III•Q.17
1. Amidst the scuffle and the resultant confusion, the thief managed to slip away.
2. There was not a single person amongst those assembled who was willing to become the leader.
3. Among the members of the community the local doctor was the one who was most respected.
Select the answer using the codes given below :
GS-III
2026•Mains•GS-III•Q.11
Explain the key challenges for India's energy security. What measures do you suggest for ensuring energy security along with economic growth and sustainability?
GS-III - Energy Infrastructure
2013•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.61
Which of the following is/are the characteristic/characteristics of Indian coal?
1
High ash content
2
Low sulphur content
3
Low ash fusion temperature
Economic Geography
2013•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.63
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.
Economic Geography