UPSC Prelims 1998 · General Studies
Question 13: Economy and Social Development
Which one of the following countries has replaced Italy as the major importer of bauxite from India?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
The given answer names Canada as the country that replaced Italy as a major importer of bauxite from India. This is a trade-data recall question with no route of reasoning. Bauxite is the ore of aluminium, and India's main deposits are in Odisha, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Treat it as a one-off fact from the 1990s trade figures.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) The key's answer: Canada.
- (b) Greece is itself a bauxite producer, so it is an unlikely major buyer.
- (c) Ukraine is a plausible buyer, but the key names Canada.
- (d) The United Arab Emirates is not the key's choice.
Worth knowing: I cannot verify the buyer ranking from memory, and Ukraine is another contender, so treat the key with caution.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1998, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.