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Q27 (IAS/2018) Geography › Indian Economic Geography › Mineral resource distribution Official Key

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. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

The correct answer is option D (3 only).

**Statement 1 is incorrect**: The Central Government has entrusted state governments with mining related activities except in case of Coal, Petroleum & Natural gas and atomic minerals, and State Governments are the owners of minerals located within the boundary of the State concerned and have the authority to collect taxes/royalty on mineral rights.[1] This indicates that state governments do have power over non-coal mines.

**Statement 2 is incorrect**: Andhra Pradesh is the second largest producer of gold in India, with the main deposits found in Ramagiri (Anantapur district).[2] Additionally, gold is produced in Karnataka state followed by Rajasthan, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.[3] Therefore, both Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand have gold mines.

**Statement 3 is correct**: Iron ore is found in Alwar, Bhilwara, Bundi, Jaipur, Sikar, and Udaipur in Rajasthan.[4] This confirms that Rajasthan has iron ore mines.

Therefore, only statement 3 is correct.

Sources
  1. [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 14: Infrastructure and Investment Models > 14.11 Coal, Coal Mines Act 2015 and MMDR Act 2015 > p. 427
  2. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 7: Resources > Table 7.11 > p. 21
  3. [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 7: Resources > Table 7.11 > p. 21
  4. [4] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 9: Distribution of World Natural Resources > iron ore > p. 28
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Consider the following statements : 1. In India, State Governments do not have the power to auction non-coal mines. 2. Andhra Pradesh a…
At a glance
Origin: From standard books Fairness: High fairness Books / CA: 10/10 · 0/10
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This question is the perfect marriage of Economic Geography (NCERT/Majid Husain) and Current Policy (MMDR Act reforms). It rewards candidates who don't study Geography in isolation but link 'Where are the minerals?' with 'Who controls the minerals?'.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Do State Governments in India have the legal power to auction non-coal mines?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 14: Infrastructure and Investment Models > 14.11 Coal, Coal Mines Act 2015 and MMDR Act 2015 > p. 427
Presence: 5/5
“Introduction: In the federal structure of India, the "Regulation of mines and mineral development" falls under the Union List. Accordingly, the Central Government frames rules and regulation regarding the development and extraction of minerals but it has entrusted the respective state governments with mining related activities except in case of Coal, Petroleum & Natural gas and atomic minerals. The State Governments are the owners of minerals located within the boundary of the State concerned and have the authority to collect "taxes/ royalty" on mineral rights. The Central Government is the owner of the minerals underlying the ocean within the territorial waters or the Exclusive Economic Zone of India.”
Why this source?
  • Explains that 'Regulation of mines and mineral development' is allocated in the federal scheme and that state governments are entrusted with mining-related activities (except specified exceptions).
  • States are described as the owners of minerals within their boundaries and have authority over taxes/royalty on mineral rights — implying state control over non-central minerals.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 14: Infrastructure and Investment Models > Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act 1957: > p. 429
Presence: 4/5
“Further, a provision has been made for constitution of special courts by the state governments for fast-track trial of cases related to illegal mining.• Central government has been given powers to intervene where state governments do not pass orders within prescribed timelines. This will eliminate delay.• The Act provides for the creation of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) by the state governments in the districts where mining takes place.”
Why this source?
  • Shows practical state powers over mining (e.g., constitution of special courts, creation of District Mineral Foundation) indicating substantive state authority in mining governance.
  • Notes central intervention only where states fail to act within timelines — supporting primary state role with conditional central oversight.
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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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