UPSC Prelims 2025 · GS Paper I
Question 79: Geography
Consider the following pairs :
| Country | Resource-rich in | |
|---|---|---|
| I. | Botswana | Diamond |
| II. | Chile | Lithium |
| III. | Indonesia | Nickel |
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Botswana is one of the world's leading diamond producers, with mines such as Jwaneng and Orapa. Chile has the Atacama salt flats and holds among the world's largest reserves of lithium. Indonesia is the largest producer of nickel in the world and has large nickel reserves. All three rows are correct. Remember: Botswana diamonds, Chile lithium (and copper), Indonesia nickel.
- I. Botswana is a leading diamond producer.
- II. Chile holds some of the largest lithium reserves.
- III. Indonesia is the largest nickel producer.
How you could have got this
No shortcut here: in a “how many” question, ruling out options doesn’t help. Every statement has to be judged.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
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: all three rows are correct.
- (b) Wrong: all three, not two, are correct.
- (c) Right: Botswana, Chile and Indonesia are rich in diamond, lithium and nickel respectively.
- (d) Wrong: all rows are correct.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.