UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I
Question 92: Geography
Consider the following minerals :
- 1.Bentonite
- 2.Chromite
- 3.Kyanite
- 4.Sillimanite
In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, minerals are either minor, a short list of building stones and the like plus others the Centre declares minor by notification, or major, which is everything else. Chromite, kyanite and sillimanite are major minerals. Bentonite is notified as a minor mineral. The answer is therefore items 2, 3 and 4.
- 1. Bentonite is notified as a minor mineral.
- 2. Chromite is a major mineral.
- 3. Kyanite is a major mineral.
- 4. Sillimanite is a major mineral.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: Bentonite is notified as a minor mineral.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: Chromite is a major mineral.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statements 3 or 4.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: bentonite is a minor mineral.
- (b) Wrong: chromite and kyanite are also major minerals.
- (c) Wrong: bentonite is minor, and it leaves out chromite and sillimanite.
- (d) Right: chromite, kyanite and sillimanite.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.