Mineral & Energy Resources – NDA Geography PYQs

Question 1 [NDA 2006-I]
Match the atomic power plants with their states:
A. Kalpakkam — B. Narora — C. Rawatbhata — D. Tarapur

States: 1. Karnataka, 2. MP, 3. Maharashtra, 4. Rajasthan, 5. Tamil Nadu, 6. UP

(a) A-1, B-6, C-4, D-2
(b) A-1, B-4, C-6, D-2
(c) A-5, B-6, C-4, D-3
(d) A-5, B-4, C-6, D-3

Answer: (c) A-5, B-6, C-4, D-3
Kalpakkam = Tamil Nadu (5). Narora = Uttar Pradesh (6). Rawatbhata = Rajasthan (4). Tarapur = Maharashtra (3).

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Question 2 [NDA 2007-I]
Match List I (Mineral) with List II (State):
A. Bauxite — B. Mica — C. Copper — D. Zinc

1. Andhra Pradesh 2. Orissa 3. Madhya Pradesh 4. Rajasthan

(a) A-4, B-1, C-3, D-3
(b) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
(c) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
(d) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

Answer: (d) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
Bauxite = Odisha (2). Mica = Madhya Pradesh or AP — here the answer gives Mica = MP (3). Copper = Andhra Pradesh (1). Zinc = Rajasthan (4).

Question 3 [NDA 2007-I]
Match List I (Mineral) with List II (Mine):
A. Bauxite — B. Copper — C. Iron Ore — D. Coal

1. Balaghat 2. Korba 3. Singareni 4. Keonjhar

(a) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
(b) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
(c) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
(d) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

Answer: (d) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
Bauxite = Korba (2) — Korba is also known for coal but the PYQ maps it to Bauxite here. Copper = Balaghat (1). Iron Ore = Keonjhar (4). Coal = Singareni (3).

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Question 4 [NDA 2007-II]
India is comparatively NOT rich in which one of the following minerals?
(a) Bauxite
(b) Copper
(c) Iron
(d) Manganese

Answer: (b) Copper
India is well endowed with bauxite, iron ore, and manganese — these are found in large quantities in the Peninsular Plateau. Copper resources are relatively limited in India. India has to import significant amounts of copper to meet industrial demand.

Question 5 [NDA 2008-I]
Match coal fields with states:
A. Jharia — B. Raniganj — C. Talcher — D. Korba

1. Tamil Nadu 2. Orissa 3. Jharkhand 4. West Bengal 5. Chhattisgarh

(a) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-5
(b) A-2, B-5, C-1, D-4
(c) A-3, B-5, C-2, D-4
(d) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-5

Answer: (a) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-5
Jharia = Jharkhand (3). Raniganj = West Bengal (4). Talcher = Odisha (2). Korba = Chhattisgarh (5).

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Question 6 [NDA 2008-I]
Rawatbhata nuclear power station is in which state?
(a) Maharashtra
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Tamil Nadu

Answer: (c) Rajasthan
Rawatbhata is located near Kota in Rajasthan. It is one of India’s major nuclear power stations. Tarapur is in Maharashtra. Narora is in Uttar Pradesh. Kalpakkam is in Tamil Nadu.

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Question 7 [NDA 2008-II]
Starting from best quality, which is the correct sequence of iron ore based on pure iron content?
(a) Magnetite-Hematite-Limonite-Siderite
(b) Hematite-Magnetite-Limonite-Siderite
(c) Magnetite-Hematite-Siderite-Limonite
(d) Hematite-Magnetite-Siderite-Limonite

Answer: (a) Magnetite-Hematite-Limonite-Siderite
Magnetite has the highest iron content (60–70%) and is the best quality. Hematite is second (50–60%). Limonite and Siderite are lower grade ores. The sequence from best to poorest is: Magnetite → Hematite → Limonite → Siderite.

Question 8 [NDA 2011-II]
Match List I (Mineral) with List II (Leading State):
A. Manganese — B. Gypsum — C. Limestone — D. Magnesite

1. Uttarakhand 2. Karnataka 3. Rajasthan 4. Odisha

(a) A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
(b) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
(c) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
(d) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1

Answer: (c) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
Manganese = Odisha (4). Gypsum = Karnataka (2) — also Rajasthan; PYQ gives Karnataka here. Limestone = Rajasthan (3). Magnesite = Uttarakhand (1).

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Question 9 [NDA 2012-I]
The Damuda Series’ middle stage is called “Barren” because:
(a) It consists of coal and not iron
(b) It consists of iron and not coal
(c) It consists of neither coal nor iron
(d) It is a sedimentary layer of shale and clay

Answer: (c) It consists of neither coal nor iron
The Damuda Series has three stages — Barakar (bottom, has coal), Barren Measures (middle, no coal, no iron), and Raniganj (top, has coal). The middle stage is called “Barren” because it has neither coal nor iron — making it economically unproductive.

Question 10 [NDA 2012-I]
Arrange coal mines from East to West:

1. Bokaro 2. Adilabad 3. Raniganj 4. Bishrampur

(a) 1-3-4-2
(b) 3-1-4-2
(c) 3-1-2-4
(d) 1-3-2-4

Answer: (b) 3-1-4-2
From east to west: Raniganj (WB, easternmost) → Bokaro (Jharkhand) → Bishrampur (Chhattisgarh) → Adilabad (Telangana, southwesternmost).

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Question 11 [NDA 2014-II]
Which is the correct sequence of oil refineries by time of establishment (earliest first)?
(a) Barauni – Haldia – Guwahati – Mathura
(b) Barauni – Mathura – Guwahati – Haldia
(c) Guwahati – Haldia – Mathura – Barauni
(d) Guwahati – Barauni – Haldia – Mathura

Answer: (d) Guwahati – Barauni – Haldia – Mathura
Guwahati refinery was established first (1962), then Barauni (1964), then Haldia (1975), then Mathura (1982). So earliest to latest: Guwahati → Barauni → Haldia → Mathura.

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Question 12 [NDA 2015-II]
Which one among the following is NOT an iron-ore mining area?
(a) Badampahar
(b) Zawar
(c) Bailadila
(d) Anantpur

Answer: (b) Zawar
Zawar is a famous zinc-lead mine in Udaipur, Rajasthan — NOT an iron ore area. Badampahar is in Odisha (iron ore). Bailadila is in Chhattisgarh (iron ore). Anantpur is in AP (also has gold, not iron ore — but is listed with iron ore mining areas sometimes. The clear wrong answer here is Zawar).

Question 13 [NDA 2015-II]
Identify the place that is NOT an oil field:
(a) Naharkatiya
(b) Kalol
(c) Ledo
(d) Ankleshwar

Answer: (c) Ledo
Ledo is a town in Assam near coal mines — NOT an oil field. Naharkatiya is an oil field in Assam. Kalol is an oil field in Gujarat. Ankleshwar is India’s most productive onshore oil field in Gujarat.

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Question 14 [NDA 2017-I]
Match List I (Mineral) with List II (Leading State):
A. Manganese — B. Gypsum — C. Limestone — D. Magnesite

1. Uttarakhand 2. Karnataka 3. Rajasthan 4. Odisha

(a) A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
(b) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
(c) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
(d) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

Answer: (c) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
Manganese = Odisha (4). Gypsum = Karnataka (2). Limestone = Rajasthan (3). Magnesite = Uttarakhand (1).

Question 15 [NDA 2017-I]
Match mineral deposits with states:
A. Gypsum — B. Graphite — C. Fluorspar — D. Nickel

1. Odisha 2. Gujarat 3. Arunachal Pradesh 4. Rajasthan

(a) A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
(b) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
(c) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
(d) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

Answer: (b) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
Gypsum = Odisha (1). Graphite = Gujarat? This seems unusual — Graphite is mainly found in Odisha. The PYQ answer (b) maps Graphite=Gujarat. Follow the PYQ answer: (b).

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Question 16 [NDA 2017-II]
Which of the following statements about magnetite ore of iron is/are correct?

1. It is known as black ore.
2. It contains 60% to 70% of pure iron.
3. It possesses magnetic properties.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
All three statements about magnetite are correct. Magnetite is called black ore because of its dark black colour. It has 60–70% pure iron content — the highest among all iron ore types. And it does possess magnetic properties — it can be attracted by a magnet, which is reflected in its name.

Question 17 [NDA 2017-II]
The Kalakot coal field is in which part of India?
(a) Brahmaputra River basin of Assam
(b) Damodar River basin of Jharkhand and West Bengal
(c) Himalayan Mountain region
(d) Cardamom Hills in Kerala

Answer: (c) Himalayan Mountain region
Kalakot is a tertiary coal field in the Jammu region of J&K — in the Himalayan mountain belt. It is different from the Gondwana coal fields of the peninsular plateau. Tertiary coal is younger and of lower quality than Gondwana coal.

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Question 18 [NDA 2017-I]
Match List I (Place) with List II (Mineral):
A. Lakwa — B. Malanjkhand — C. Kalakot — D. Zawar

1. Copper 2. Petroleum 3. Zinc 4. Coal

(a) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
(b) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
(c) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
(d) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

Answer: (c) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
Lakwa = Petroleum (Assam). Malanjkhand = Copper (MP). Kalakot = Coal (Himalayan region, J&K). Zawar = Zinc (Rajasthan).

Question 19 [NDA 2018-I]
Which of the following are essential prerequisites for establishment of a thermal power station?

1. Availability of fossil fuels
2. Proximity to a river, lake or sea
3. Good transport network
4. Proximity to an urban centre

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3
A thermal power station needs: fossil fuel (coal, oil, or gas) as input (1); water from a river, lake, or sea for cooling steam to water (2); good transport to bring in coal by rail or road (3). Proximity to an urban centre is NOT essential — many large thermal plants are built in rural/remote areas near coal mines or rivers.

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Question 20 [NDA 2019-I]
Which is the correct sequence of proved coal reserves in Indian states in decreasing order?
(a) Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal
(b) Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal
(c) Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh
(d) Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Jharkhand

Answer: (a) Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal
Jharkhand has the largest proved coal reserves in India — in the Damodar Valley coalfields (Jharia, Bokaro, Dhanbad). Chhattisgarh is second (Korba, Raigarh). Odisha is third (Talcher, Ib Valley). West Bengal is fourth (Raniganj).

Question 21 [NDA 2021-I]
Which one of the following oil refineries is NOT located in Assam?
(a) Tatipaka
(b) Numaligarh
(c) Bongaigaon
(d) Digboi

Answer: (a) Tatipaka
Tatipaka oil refinery is in Andhra Pradesh (East Godavari district). Numaligarh, Bongaigaon, and Digboi are all located in Assam. Digboi is the oldest refinery in India and in Asia.

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Question 22 [NDA 2023-I]
Which one among the following states is the leading producer of Manganese in India?
(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Jharkhand
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Karnataka

Answer: (d) Karnataka
Karnataka is the leading producer of manganese in India, followed by Odisha and Maharashtra. The major manganese deposits in Karnataka are in the Bellary, Tumkur, and Shimoga areas.

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Question 23 [NDA 2023-I]
Mica is mainly used in:
(a) Food and beverage industry
(b) Iron and steel industry
(c) Aluminium industry
(d) Electrical and electronic industries

Answer: (d) Electrical and electronic industries
Mica is an excellent electrical insulator — it can withstand high temperatures and does not conduct electricity. This makes it extremely valuable for electrical and electronic equipment. It is used in capacitors, insulators in electrical equipment, and electronic devices.

Question 24 [NDA 2023-II]
Which one among the following pairs of mine and mineral is NOT correctly matched?
(a) Bailadila: Iron Ore
(b) Zawar: Zinc
(c) Ghatsila: Copper
(d) Kudremukh: Bauxite

Answer: (d) Kudremukh: Bauxite
Kudremukh in Karnataka is famous for iron ore — NOT bauxite. Kudremukh Iron Ore Company (KIOCL) operated here. The other three are correctly matched: Bailadila (Chhattisgarh) = iron ore; Zawar (Rajasthan) = zinc; Ghatsila (Jharkhand) = copper.

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Practice Question 1 (Important for NDA)
Match List I (Mineral) with List II (State):
A. Bauxite — B. Mica — C. Copper — D. Zinc

1. Andhra Pradesh 2. Odisha 3. Madhya Pradesh 4. Rajasthan

(a) A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2
(b) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
(c) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
(d) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

Answer: (d) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
Bauxite = Odisha (2) — major producer. Mica = MP/AP (3 — AP also valid; here MP given). Copper = AP/Jharkhand (1). Zinc = Rajasthan (4 — Zawar mines).