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 Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Describes explicit involvement of district authorities (DEIAA headed by District Collector) in mining approvals and sustainable mining decisions at district level.

A student could infer that district-level institutions already have mandates related to mining management and therefore check whether DMFs—also district-focused—include exploration or capacity-building in their stated purposes.

Explains the federal allocation of 'regulation of mines and mineral development' and that State Governments own minerals within state boundaries and handle mining activities.

Using this rule, a student could reason that DMFs (district bodies) would operate within state/central legal frameworks, so they might be tasked with local development/exploration only if allowed by MMDR/related rules.

Identifies 'inadequate exploration and prospecting of minerals' and 'inadequacy of funds' as recognised problems in various districts/states.

A student could infer that bodies funded for local mining-affected areas (like DMFs) might reasonably be expected to support exploration or fund surveys to remedy these gaps, and so would look for DMF provisions that address exploration or capacity/fund usage.

Defines minerals as a base for industrial development and notes their uneven geographic distribution, highlighting the developmental importance of mineral resources at local/district level.

A student could use this pattern to argue that district-level foundations aiming to benefit mining-affected communities might include promotion of mineral-related activities (including exploration) to spur local development, then verify DMF mandate text.

Lists states and regions that are mineral-rich, implying identifiable 'mineral-rich districts' where district-level interventions would be relevant.

A student could map DMF presence/activities against these mineral-rich districts to see if DMFs undertake exploration-promotion in those areas.

States are instructed to create District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) in districts where mining takes place, indicating DMFs are district-level instruments related to mining governance.

A student could combine this with the specific statutory purposes of DMFs (welfare/mitigation) to judge whether licensing/exploration authorization fits a DMF's purpose or is a separate state function.

DMF funds (under PMKKKY) are described as being used for welfare of people affected by mining, pointing to a remedial/welfare role rather than regulatory/licensing functions.

Use this to infer that DMFs are oriented to welfare/rehabilitation, so licensing powers (regulatory) are less likely to be a DMF purpose and more likely with state/central agencies.

The federal division: 'Regulation of mines and mineral development' is on the Union List, but states are owners of minerals within state boundaries and entrusted with mining-related activities (except certain minerals).

Combine this federal/state allocation with the DMF creation note to assess whether licensing (a regulatory/administrative act) would be a state government duty separate from DMF's welfare role.

District-level authorities (DEIAA/DEAC headed by District Collector) are assigned environmental clearances for small mine leases, showing district bodies have specific procedural roles in mining approvals.

A student could contrast these explicit district approval roles with DMF functions to determine if licensing is already allocated to district/state administrative bodies rather than DMFs.