Resources in India and around World is important part of Geography and its syllabus. Previous Year Question (PYQ) papers are invaluable resources for aspirants preparing for competitive exams like the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations. In this article we present important PYQ on Resources.
PYQ on Resources
Q- With reference to India, consider the following statements: (2022)
- Monazite is a source of rare earths.
- Monazite contains thorium.
- Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India.
- In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer- Option B
EXPLANATION
Monazite is a brown crystalline mineral containing cerium, lanthanum, other rare earth elements, and thorium. Typically found in small, resilient crystals or grains, monazite is resistant to weathering and often accumulates in soils.
Statements 1 and 2 are Correct.
Monazite serves as a significant source of rare earths and thorium. It yields various rare-earth elements, including neodymium and praseodymium, which are highly sought after internationally for producing high-performance rare-earth magnets used in applications such as wind turbines, electric vehicles, and robotics.
Statement 3 is inaccurate. While monazite is indeed present in many coastal areas of India, its distribution along the entire coast is questionable.
The primary mines are located along the coasts of southern India, particularly in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa.
Statement 4 is correct. Exporting monazite without a license from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) violates the Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules of 2004. Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), a wholly owned Public Sector Undertaking of the Government of India under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), is the sole entity permitted to produce, process, and handle monazite for both domestic use and export.
Q- Steel slag can be the material for which of the following? (2020)
- Construction of base road
- Improvement of agricultural soil
- Production of cement
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
Statement 1: Correct. Steel slag, a by-product of steelmaking, is indeed used as an ingredient in asphalt for road construction.
Statement 2: Correct. Steel slag can be utilized in various applications, including construction, paving, and agriculture. It possesses properties that allow it to correct soil acidity and provide nutrients for plants, serving as a silicate fertilizer.
Statement 3: Correct. Steel slag has demonstrated potential for use in cement production, both as a raw mix component and as a replacement for granulated blast furnace slag in Portland Slag Cement. Additionally, it has been effective in treating acidic water discharges from abandoned mines.
Q- Consider the following statements: (2020)
- Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury.
- Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the environment.
- High ash content is observed in Indian coal.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
Statement 1: Correct. Coal combustion produces ash containing various heavy metals and toxins, including lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, and selenium, which can pose health risks to humans.
Statement 2: Correct. Thermal power plants are significant sources of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide emissions, which are major contributors to acid rain. Burning fossil fuels, particularly coal, for energy generation releases these pollutants into the atmosphere.
Statement 3: Correct. India’s domestic coal reserves often have a high ash content, ranging from 40 to 45 percent, which can impact the efficiency of combustion processes and contribute to environmental pollution.
Q- According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels? (2020)
- Cassava
- Damaged wheat grains
- Groundnut seeds
- Horse gram
- Rotten potatoes
- Sugar beet
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Answer- Option A
EXPLANATION
According to the National Biofuel Policy, the scope of raw materials for ethanol production is expanded to include various sources. These include Sugarcane Juice, Sugar-containing materials such as Sugar Beet and Sweet Sorghum, as well as Starch-containing materials like Corn and Cassava. Additionally, Damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice, and Rotten Potatoes, which are unfit for human consumption, can also be used for ethanol production. Therefore, the correct answer is options 1, 2, 5, and 6 only.
Q- With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements: (2020)
- Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible Pumps.
- Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
Statement 1: Incorrect. Solar power can be utilized to operate both submersible pumps (placed underwater) and surface pumps (positioned above the waterline).
Statement 2: Incorrect. Solar power is applicable for powering both centrifugal pumps and pumps equipped with pistons. The pumping mechanism can be driven cyclically by various components such as pistons, screws, gears, rollers, diaphragms, or vanes.
Q- Consider the following minerals: (2020)
- Bentonite
- Chromite
- Kyanite
- Sillimanite
In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
According to Government of India Notification S.O. 423(E) dated 10th February 2015, Bentonite has been categorized as a ‘Minor Mineral’. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
The Central Government has identified several minerals as minor minerals, including boulder, shingle, chalcedony pebbles (solely for ball mill purposes), lime shell, kankar, limestone (used in kilns for making lime), murrum, brick-earth, fuller’s earth, bentonite, road metal, reh-matti, slate, shale (used for construction), marble, stone (for making household utensils), quartzite, sandstone (used in construction or for road metal and household utensils), saltpeter, and ordinary earth (used for filling or leveling in construction or embankments, roads, railways, and buildings).
Q- The term ‘West Texas Intermediate’, sometimes found in news, refers to a grade of (2020)
(a) Crude oil
(b) Bullion
(c) Rare earth elements
(d) Uranium
Answer- Option A
EXPLANATION
There exist approximately 160 types of crude oils traded globally, each possessing distinct characteristics and quality. Among the prominent benchmarks in the international market are West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent Crude oil.
Q- With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements: (2019)
- Sand is a ‘minor mineral’ according to the prevailing law in the country.
- 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 Central Government.
- State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer- Option A
EXPLANATION
Statement 1: Correct. Sand is classified as a minor mineral according to section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act).
Statement 2: Incorrect. Section 15 of the MMDR Act grants state governments the authority to create regulations for granting mineral concessions related to minor minerals, and to address associated matters. Consequently, the regulation of minor mineral concessions falls under the jurisdiction of state governments, as they have formulated their own rules in accordance with this provision.
Statement 3: Correct. Section 23C of the MMDR Act empowers state governments to establish rules aimed at preventing illegal mining, transportation, and storage of minerals, along with related objectives. Therefore, the task of controlling illegal mining falls within the legislative and administrative purview of state governments.
Q- In which of the following regions of India are shale gas resources found? (2016)
- Cambay Basin
- Cauvery Basin
- Krishna-Godavari Basin
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
Shale Gas has the potential to become a significant new energy source in India, as the country possesses various shale formations containing both Shale Gas and oil. These formations are located across multiple sedimentary basins, including Cambay, Gondwana, Krishna-Godavari, and Cauvery, primarily on land.
Q- In India, the steel production industry requires the import of (2015)
(a) saltpetre
(b) rock phosphate
(c) coking coal
(d) All of the above
Answer- Option C
EXPLANATION
Saltpetre, also known as potassium nitrate, is not utilized in the manufacturing process of steel. Instead, it finds application in various sectors such as fertilizer production, tree stump removal, rocket propulsion, and fireworks. It is a key component of gunpowder and has been employed as a food preservative since medieval times. Rock phosphate, on the other hand, is primarily used in fertilizer production and not in steelmaking. India relies on importing coking coal, making Option 3 the correct choice. The steel production process typically requires 0.8 tonnes of coking coal to manufacture one tonne of steel.
Q- Consider the following pairs:
National Highway Cities connected
- NH 4 Chennai and Hyderabad
- NH 6 : Mumbai and Kolkata
- NH 15 : Ahmedabad and Jodhpur
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
In India, roads are categorized into four types for construction and maintenance purposes: National Highways (NH), State Highways (SH), Major District Roads, and Rural Roads. National Highways connect important locations such as state capitals, major cities, ports, and railway junctions, constituting approximately 1% of the total road length in India.
State Highways link state capitals with district headquarters and other significant towns, covering about 4% of the total road length. Major District Roads serve as connections between district headquarters and other crucial nodes within the district, making up around 14% of the total road length. Rural roads play a vital role in connecting rural areas and account for approximately 80% of the total road length in India. As of today, India boasts one of the largest road networks globally, spanning a total length of 45.3 lakh km.
Q- Which of the following are some important pollutants released by the steel industry in India? (2014)
- Oxides of sulphur
- Oxides of nitrogen
- Carbon monoxide
- Carbon dioxide
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer- Option D
The primary contaminants include particulate matter, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, along with elevated levels of carbon dioxide. When coke, predominantly composed of carbon, combines with the blast air, it generates carbon monoxide. This carbon monoxide subsequently reacts with iron oxide to yield carbon dioxide and metallic iron.
Q- With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coalbed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following ‘statements: (2014)
- 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.
- 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?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
Coalbed methane is an unconventional natural gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is natural gas trapped within shale formations, which are fine-grained sedimentary rocks rich in petroleum and natural gas. Shale gas mainly comprises methane but also contains other hydrocarbons like ethane, propane, and butane, as well as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and hydrogen sulfide. Thus, statement 1 is inaccurate.
In India, six basins have been identified for shale gas exploration: Cambay (located in Gujarat), Assam-Arakan (in the Northeast), Gondwana (central India), Krishna Godavari onshore (along the East Coast), Cauvery onshore, and Indo-Gangetic basins. Consequently, statement 2 is also incorrect.
Q- Consider the following statements: (2013)
- Natural gas occurs in the Gondwana beds.
- Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma.
- Dharwars are famous for petroleum.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) None
Answer- Option B
EXPLANATION
Gondwana is renowned for its coal reserves, not for natural gas. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.
Dharwar, located in Karnataka, is known for minerals such as iron and manganese, not petroleum. Hence, statement 3 is inaccurate.
Mica is found in the Kodarma mines in Jharkhand, making statement 2 Correct.
Q- Which of the following is/are the characteristic/ characteristics of Indian coal? (2013)
- High ash content
- Low sulphur content
- Low ash fusion temperature
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer- Option A
EXPLANATION
Indian coals are characterized by their high ash content and low sulphur content, making statements 1 and 2 accurate. However, statement 3 is inaccurate because Indian coal is known for its high ash fusion temperature, which is around 1,500°C.