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Geography & Environment · Indian Geography

Minerals & Energy Resources: 71 previous year questions

UPSC has asked 71 questions on Minerals & Energy Resources between 1998 and 2026: CSE 26 · NDA 14 · CAPF 12 · CDS 7 · CISF (LDCE) 6 · Geo-Scientist 4 · EPFO (APFC) 2. 50 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 26 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.

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Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.

CAPF2026Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·2

Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant 3 and 4 are being set up in India in cooperation with the Russian Federation. 2. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant 5 and 6 are being set up in India in cooperation with the USA. Select the answer using the code given below.

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Kudankulam units 3 and 4 are being built with Russian cooperation | NOT: units 5 and 6 with the USA (also Russian VVER)
CAPF2026Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·2

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025 allows private sector participation, under a license from the Central Government, to undertake which of the following? 1. Plant operations 2. Power generation 3. Equipment manufacturing Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer A (official UPSC key)SHANTI Act, 2025 lets licensed private players undertake plant operations, power generation and equipment manufacturing
CAPF2026Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·3

Consider the following statements: 1. India‘s total electricity generation in the last four years (2022-23 to 2025-26) has witnessed an increasing trend. 2. The average availability of electricity in both rural and urban areas has increased in the last 12 years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)India's electricity generation rose over 2022-23 to 2025-26, and average electricity availability in rural and urban areas increased over the last 12 years
CAPF2026Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·3

With reference to fossil fuels, consider the following statements: 1. Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel and has high specific energy and energy density. 2. The action of heat and pressure changes plant matter in stages from anthracite to bituminous to lignite coal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel with high specific energy and energy density | NOT: plant matter changes anthracite to bituminous to lignite (the order is lignite to bituminous to anthracite)
CISF (LDCE)2026Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·1

Consider the following statements regarding mineral resources in India: 1. Odisha produces more than half of the total iron ore. 2. Jharkhand is the largest producer of copper in India. 3. Karnataka is the largest producer of gold in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Odisha produces more than half of India's iron ore; Karnataka is the largest gold producer | NOT: Jharkhand largest copper producer
NDA2025 · 2Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·3

Consider the following pairs with reference to Thermal Power Plants and their location in respective states in India: Thermal Power Plant Located in State I. Panki Uttar Pradesh II. Parli Karnataka III. Vijayawada Telangana IV. Vanakbari Gujarat How many of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Two pairs correct: Panki – Uttar Pradesh, Vanakbori – Gujarat | NOT: Parli – Karnataka (Maharashtra), Vijayawada – Telangana (Andhra Pradesh)
CAPF2024Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·3

Which one among the following statements about the Singareni Collieries Company Limited is correct ?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Singareni Collieries has diversified into thermal and solar power, explosives for opencast blasting and consultancy | NOT: private sector, Navratna, world's largest producer (that is Coal India)
NDA2024 · 2Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·3

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List I (Hydroelectric Power Plant) List II (State) A. Doyang 1. Arunachal Pradesh B. Gomuti 2. Assam C. Kapili 3. Tripura D. Ranganadi 4. Nagaland Code A B C D

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Match (key A): Doyang – Nagaland; Gomuti – Tripura; Kapili – Assam; Ranganadi – Arunachal Pradesh
CAPF2023Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·3

Consider the following statements : 1. Geothermal energy can be used to produce electricity or its hot water can be used directly for industry, agriculture, bathing and cleaning. 2. Nuclear energy is often cheaper than some other sources of electricity. 3. Thermal power stations burn Fossil fuels to create steam to drive the turbines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Geothermal energy can generate electricity or supply hot water directly; thermal stations burn fossil fuels to make steam for turbines | NOT: nuclear energy is often cheaper
CDS2023 · 1Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·3

Consider the following statements and identify the correct answer using the code given below 1. In a thermal power station, fuels such as oil, coal or natural gas are used to generate electricity. 2. Fuels are burned to heat water and turn it into steam, which goes through a turbine, which spins and turns, generating electricity. Code:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Thermal power stations burn oil, coal or natural gas to heat water into steam that drives a turbine - statement 2 explains statement 1
CSE2023Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·3

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. How many of the above statements are correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)None correct: Indian coal plants do use seawater (e.g. Mundra), some are in water-stressed districts, and some are privately owned
CSE2023Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·2

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?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)India depends on coal for most of its electricity despite uranium deposits | NOT: uranium must be enriched to at least 60% for power (only 3 to 5 % U-235 needed)
CDS2022 · 2Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·1

Consider the following statements about an Indian State : 1. It is well known globally for its variety of rocks and minerals. 2. It has the largest deposits of Chrysotile Asbestos in the country. 3. The Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Sagar Hydel Project is located in this State. Identify the State from the following :

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Andhra Pradesh: noted for rocks and minerals, largest chrysotile asbestos deposits, and the Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Sagar (Srisailam) hydel project
CSE2022Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·2

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?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Monazite is a source of rare earths and contains thorium; only government bodies may process or export it | NOT: occurs in the entire Indian coastal sands
CSE2019Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·1

With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements: [2019] 1. Sand is a 'minor mineral' according to the prevailing law in the country. 2. State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Centre Government. 3. State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Sand is a minor mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957; states frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals | NOT: Centre frames rules for grant of minor minerals (states do, Section 15)
CAPF2016Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·1

Consider the following statements relating to salt production in India : 1. India is the second largest producer of iodised salt in the world next only to China 2. Salt mining is carried out in Himachal Pradesh 3. Gujarat is the leading producer of salt in India 4. Ground water is the important source of salt in Rajasthan Which of the statements given above arc correct ?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Key C: India second only to China in iodised salt; salt mining in Himachal Pradesh (Mandi); Gujarat leading salt producer | NOT: ground water is the important salt source in Rajasthan
CDS2016 · 1Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·3

Consider the following statements: 1. Most of the coal and the ferrous group of minerals in India occur in the peninsula, south of the Vindhyas 2. The peninsular India once formed part of the supercontinent which included Australia, Antarctica, Africa, and South America Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Most of India's coal and ferrous minerals occur in the peninsula south of the Vindhyas; peninsular India was part of the supercontinent (Gondwana) with Australia, Antarctica, Africa and South America
CSE2016Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·1

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. Authorising State ' Governments to issue licences for mineral exploration Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer B (official UPSC key)District Mineral Foundations protect the interests of persons affected by mining operations | NOT: promoting exploration; authorising states to issue licences
CAPF2013Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·3

Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? 1. Idukki : Thermal Power Station 2. Sabarigiri : Hydroelectric Project 3. Ghatprabha : Irrigation Project 4. Ramganga : Multipurpose Project Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Correctly matched: Sabarigiri – hydroelectric; Ghatprabha – irrigation; Ramganga – multipurpose | NOT: Idukki – thermal (it is hydroelectric)
EPFO (APFC)2012Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·3

Despite having huge coal reserves in our country, why do we import millions of tons of coal? 1. It is the policy of the Govt. of India to save its own coal reserves for future use and import now from other countries for present use. 2. Most of the thermal plants in our country are coal-based and they are unable to get sufficient coal supply from our coal mines. 3. Steel plants require large quantities of coking coal which we do not have; coking coal is to be imported from other countries. Which of these statements is/are correct ?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)India imports coal because coal-based thermal plants lack sufficient domestic supply and steel plants need coking coal India lacks | NOT: a policy to save domestic reserves
CSE2010Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·3

Which one of the following is the appropriate reason to considering the Gondwana rocks as the most important of the rock systems of India?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Gondwana rocks matter most because they hold more than 90% of India's coal reserves
CSE2006Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·3

Consider the following statements: 1. Appellate Tribunal for electricity has been established by each state government in India. 2. One of the components of the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP) is the up-gradation of the sub-transmission and distribution systems for electricity in India. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)APDRP included upgradation of sub-transmission and distribution systems | NOT: Appellate Tribunal for Electricity is set up by each state (it is a central tribunal under the Electricity Act, 2003)
CSE2006Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·2

Consider the following statements: 1. Petronet LNG Ltd. is setting up another LNG terminal at Mangalore. 2. The Head Office of the Dredging Corporation of India is at Vishakhapatnam. 3. The Narwapahar Mine is operated by the Uranium Corporation of India Limited. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Dredging Corporation of India is headquartered at Visakhapatnam; Narwapahar uranium mine (Jharkhand) is run by UCIL | NOT: Petronet LNG terminal at Mangalore
CSE2005Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·2

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists. [2005] List-I (Atomic Power Plants/Heavy Water Plants) List-II (State) A. Thal 1. Andhra Pradesh B. Manuguru 2. Gujarat C. Kakrapar 3. Maharashtra D. Kaiga 4. Rajasthan 5. Karnataka

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Match (key D): Thal – Maharashtra; Manuguru – Andhra Pradesh; Kakrapar – Gujarat; Kaiga – Karnataka
CSE2004Minerals & Energy ResourcesOn card GEO 16·2

Consider the following statements: 1. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research uses fast reactor technology 2. Atomic Minerals Directorate for Research and Exploration is engaged in heavy water production 3. Indian Rare Earths Limited is engaged in the manufacture of Zircon for India's Nuclear Programme beside other rare earth products Which of the statements given above are correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)IGCAR (Kalpakkam) works on fast breeder reactor technology; Indian Rare Earths Ltd makes zircon for the nuclear programme | NOT: AMD produces heavy water (it explores atomic minerals)

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India: Location, States, Boundaries & Neighbours · 42Physiography: Himalayas, Plains, Plateau, Coasts & Islands · 83Drainage: Rivers, Lakes, Dams & River Projects · 153Indian Climate & Monsoon · 35Indian Soils · 51Natural Vegetation & Forests of India · 40Agriculture: Crops, Irrigation & Farming Systems · 125Industries & Industrial Regions · 22Transport, Ports & Communication · 71Population, Settlements, Urbanisation & Tribes · 77