"Hello Everyone, this document consists all PYQs of Metals, minerals

& Nuclear Energy. That were asked in various UPSC exams. After >>> (In CSE from 1979 & CDS, CAPF etc from 2014)
both PDFs add some extra things from Economic survey's summary
of VisionIAS (100 pages) & some critical minerals that were in news CSE 1985
re cen tly. 30). Match the columns:
It took a lot of time to compile all these so kindly utilise them A. Bauxite (1) Copper
perfectly & share to others if possible." B. Monazite (2) Uranium
Happy Reading : @CAPTAINSDUGOUT :) c. Malachite (3) Thorium
D. Pitchblende (4) Aluminium
Click here to join Select the correct answer using the code given below:
CSE 1984 a. 3421
31). Iron mines are located in which of the following group of places? b. 3124
a. Bokaro, Balaghat, Hazaribagh c. 4312
b. Singhbhum, Monghyr, Singareni d. 4321
c. Jharia, Raniganj, Wardha Ans -c
d. Singhbhum, Mayurbhani, Keonihar
Ans -d CSE 1986
46). Pumice is derived from
CSE 1984 a. Volcanic rock
41). Match the following: b. Sedimentary rock
A. Lignite (i ) Jharia c. Igneous rock
B. Coal (ii) Hazaribagh d. Acid lava
C. Mica (iii) Neyveli Ans -a
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a. A (iii), B (i), C (ii) CSE 1988
b. A (i), B (ii), C (iii) 112). Which one of the following is a non-metallic mineral?
c. A (iii), B (ii), C (i) a. Manganese
d. A (i), B (iii), C (ii) b. Magnesium
Ans -a c. Gypsum
d. Bauxite
CSE 1984 Ans -c
43). Mica is abundantly used in which of the following industries?
a. Cement CSE 1990
b. Electrical 70). Match List with List II
c. Plastic A. Udaipur 1. Lead
d. Fire resistance bricks B. Gondwanaland 2. Tin
Ans -b C. Kerala 3. Coal
D. Koderma 4. Ilmenite
CSE 1989 5. Mica
29). Copper deposits in India are found in Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a. Singhbhum a. 1342
b. Kolar b. 1345
c. Salem c. 3241
d. Karanpura >>> Ans -a d. 3425
Ans -b
CSE 1989
49.Match the following : CSE 1991
A. Jharia (i) Copper 23). In India diamonds are quarried from
B. Ankleshwar (ii) Iron a. Golconda
C. Bailadilla (iii) Coal b. Jaipur
D. Khetri (iv) Oil c. Ratnagiri
Select the correct answer using the code given below: d. Panna
a. (iii) (iv) (ii) (i) Ans -d
b. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
c. (iv) (iii) (ii) (i) CSE 1991
d. (i) (iii) (iv) (ii) 109). Which of the following metals is extracted from the Monazite sand found in
Ans -a plenty in India?
a. Gold
CSE 1991 b. Uranium
43). Match - Metal extracted :: Location of site c. Thorium
A. Copper 1. Jaduguda d. Copper
B. Uranium 2. Jhawar Ans -c
C. Nickel 3. Malanjkhand
D. Lead 4. Sukhinda CSE 1992
Select the correct answer using the code given below: 37. In which type of rocks metals like gold and copper mostly found?
a. 2413 a. Old igneous
b. 4312 b. Old metamorphic
c. 3124 c. Old sedimentary
d. 3142 d. New metamorphic
Ans -d Ans -a

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CSE 1993 CSE 1993
17. At the present state of our knowledge and resources position, 66. The Government of India has totally banned the export of 'Burnt Coal' (Jhama),
India will remain self-sufficient for the next three decades in because it contains recoverable amount of a metal/element used In transistors.
a. Tin Which one is the element?
b. Coking Coal a. Phosphorus
c. Copper b. Germanium
d. Petroleum >>> Ans -c c. Silicon
d. Tungsten >>>>> Ans -c
CSE 1996
50). Match List I (Ores) : List II (States where they are mined) CSE 1998
I. Manganese (A) Madhya Pradesh 112. Which one of the following countries has replaced Italy as the major importer of
II. Nickel (B) Orissa bauxite from India?
III. Lead-zinc (C) Rajasthan a. Canada
IV. Asbestos (D) Andhra Pradesh b. Greece
Select the correct answer using the code given below: c. Ukraine
a. IA, II C, III B, IV D d. United Arab Emirates >>>>> Ans -a
b. ID, I C, III B, IV A
c. IA, I B, III C, IV D CSE 1998
d. ID, I B, III C, IV A 115. Which one of the following elements is essential for the construction of nuclear
Ans -c reactors?
a. Cobalt
CSE 1998 b. Nickel
57). Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the c. Zirconium
codes given below the lists : d. Tungsten >>>>> Ans -c
(Minerals) : (Mining area)
I. Graphite (A) Bellary CSE 1999
II. Lead (B) Didwana 14). Consider the following:
III. Salt (C) Rampa Assertion (A): Chile continues to be an important producer of copper in the world.
IV. Silver (D) Zawar Reason (R): Chile is endowed with the world's largest deposit of porphyry copper. a.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
a. I-C, II-D, III-A, IV-B b. Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
b. I-A, II-D, III-B, IV-C c. A is true, but R is false
c. I-C, II-A, III-D, IV-B d. A is false, but R is true
d. I-B, II-C, III-A, IV-D Ans -a
Ans -b
CSE 2004
CSE 2000 72). Minerals :: Location
58). Match List I with List II A. Coal 1. Giridih
Minerals :: Major producer B. Copper 2. Jayankondam
I. Mineral oil (A) Zambia C. Manganese 3. Alwar
II. Copper (B) Guyana D. Lignite 4. Dharwar
III. Manganese (C) Venezuela Select the correct answer using the code given below:
IV. Bauxite (D) Gabon a. 1432
Select the correct answer using the code given below: b. 2341
a. I-C, II-A, III-D, IV-B c. 1342
b. I-C, II-A, III-B, IV-D d. 2431
c. I-A, II-C, III-B, IV-D Ans -a
d. I-A, II-C, III-D, IV-B
Ans -a CSE 2004
86.Standard 18 carat gold sold in the market contains:
CSE 2007 a. 82 parts gold and 18 parts other metals
10). Consider the following statements: b. 18 parts gold and 82 parts other metals
1. Balaghat is known for its diamond mines. c. 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals
2. Majhgawan is known for its manganese deposits d. 9 parts gold and 15 parts other metals
Select the correct statement/s using the code given below: Ans -c
a. 1 only
b. 2 only CSE 2006
c. Both 1 and 2 87). Which of the following substances are found in the beach sands of many parts of
d. Neither 1 nor 2 Kerala?
Ans -d 1. Ilmenite
2. Zircon
CSE 2007 3. Sillimanite
39). In which one of the following districts, have large reserves of 4. Tungsten
diamond-bearing kimberlite been discovered in the recent past? Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a. Hoshangabad a. 1, 2, 3 and 4
b. Raipur b. 1, 2 and 3
c. Sambalpur c. 3 and 4 only
d. Warangal >>> Ans -b d. 1 and 2 only >>> Ans -b

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CSE 2008 CSE 2008
65). Which of the following minerals are found in a natural way in 79). Which one of the following pairs of metals constitutes the lightest metal and the
the State of Chhattisgarh? heaviest metal, respectively?
1. Bauxite a. Lithium and mercury
2. Dolomite b. Lithium and osmium
3. Iron ore c. Aluminium and osmium
4. Tin d. Aluminium and mercury
Select the correct answer using the code given below: Ans -b
a. 1, 2 and 3 only
b. 3 only CSE 2012
c. 2 only 86). Recently, there has been a concern over the short supply of a group of elements
d. 1 only called 'rare earth metals', Why?
Ans - a
1. China, which is the largest producer of these elements, has imposed some
CSE 2010 restrictions on their export
109). With reference to the mineral resource of India, consider the 2. Other than China, Australia, Canada and Chile, these elements are not found in any
following pairs: Mineral -90% Natural sources in coun try
1. Copper - Jharkhand 3. Rare earth metals are essential for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic
2. Nickel - Orissa items and there is a growing
3. Tungsten - Kerala demand for these elements.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 and 2 only (a) 1 only
b. 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans -b Ans -C

CSE 2013 CDS 2015

63). Consider the following statements: 29. Which one among the following metals is prominently used in mobile phone
1. Natural gas occurs in the Gondwana beds. batteries?
2. Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma. (a) Copper
3. Dharwars are famous for petroleum. (b) Zinc
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (c) Nickel
(a) 1 and 2 (d) Lithium
(b) 2 only Ans -D
(c) 2 and 3
(d) None CDS 2015
Ans -B 41. Which of the following elements are found in highest and lowest quantities
respectively in the crust of the earth?
CSE 2020 (a) Oxygen and silicon
92). Consider the following minerals : (b) Calcium and sodium
1. Bentonite (c) Sodium and magnesium
2. Chromite (d) Oxygen and magnesium
3. Kyanite Ans -D
4. Sillimanite
In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major CISF 2022
minerals? 5. Which one of the following metals is mixed with gold to provide strength to the
(a) 1 and 2 only jewellery?
(b) 4 only (a) Manganese
(c) 1 and 3 only (b) Mica
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) Aluminium
Ans -D (d) Copper
Ans -d
CSE 2021
56) 1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed CDS 2022
exploration and mining in international waters. 13. Which one of the following pairs of metals are very good conductors of heat?
2. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in (a) Silver and Copper
international waters. (b) Silver and Lead
3. 'Rare earth minerals' are present on seafloor in international (c) Copper and Mercury
wate rs. (d) Lead and Mercury
Which of the statements given above are correct? Ans -A
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only CSE 1980
(c) 1 and 3 only 74). What is mainly obtained from bauxite?
(d) 1, 2 and 3 a. Copper
Ans -B b. Aluminium
c. Iron
d. Gold >>>> Ans -b

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CDS 2015 CSE 1983
34. Which of the following is/are the reason(s) behind Gujarat being 61). The common ore of aluminium is
the leading producer of Salt in India? a. Bauxite
1. The long length of coastline b. Chromite
2. Long duration of hot and dry conditions c. Cryolite
3. Presence of gulf areas d. Monazite
Select the correct answer using the code given below: Ans -a
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only CSE 1991
(c) 1, 2 and 3 35.Largest producer of diamond and gem in the world is
(d) 1 and 3 only a. Zaire
Ans -B b. South Africa
c. Botswana
CSE 2023 d. Ghana >>>>> Ans -c
6). Ilmenite and rutile, abundantly available in certain coastal tracts
of India, are rich sources of which one of the following? CSE 2010
(a) Aluminium 88). Which one of the following is the appropriate reason for considering the
(b) Copper Gondwana rocks as most important of rock systems of India?
(c) Iron a. More than 90% of limestone reserves of India are found in them
(d) Titanium b. More than 90% of India's coal reserves are found in them
Ans -D c. More than 90% of fertile black cotton soils are spread over them
d. None of the reasons given above is appropriate in this context
CSE 2023 Ans -b
86). Consider the following statements:
Statement -I : Switzerland is one of the leading exporters of gold in CDS 2014
terms of value. 71. Consider the following statements:
Statement -II : Switzerland has the second largest gold reserves in Statement I : Clay layers are poor aquifers.
the world. Statement II : The inter-particle space of clay minerals is the least.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above
statements? Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) Both Statement -I and Statement -II are correct and Statement - (a) Both the Statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct
II is the correct explanation for Statement -I explanation of Statement I
(b) Both Statement -I and Statement -II are correct and Statement - (b) Both the Statements are individually true but Statement Il is not the correct
II is not the correct explanation for Statement -I explanation of Statement I
(c) Statement -I is correct but Statement -II is incorrect (c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false
(d) Statement -I is incorrect but Statement -II is correct (d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Ans -C Ans -A

CSE 1989 CDS 2014

40.In India the diamonds are quarried from 115. Which of the following are the two main constituents of granite?
a. Golconda (a) Iron and silica
b Jaipur (b) Iron and silver
c. Patnagiri (c) Silica and aluminium
d. Panna (d) Iron oxide and potassium
Ans -d Ans -C

CSE 1989 CDS 2014

85.The leading producer of silver is 26. The form of carbon known as graphite
a. U.S.A. (a) is harder than diamond
b. U.S.S.R. (b) contains a higher percentage of carbon than diamond
c. Mexico (c) is a better electrical conductor than diamond
d South Africa (d) has equal carbon-to-carbon distances in all directions
Ans -c Ans -C

CAPF 2016 CDS 2015

19. Consider the following statements relating to salt production in 36. Which one of the following minerals contains mostly silica?
Ind ia : (a) Mica
1. India is the second largest producer of iodised salt in the world (b) Quartz
next only to China (c) Olivine
2. Salt mining is carried out in Himachal Pradesh (d) Pyroxene >>>>> Ans -B
3. Gujarat is the leading producer of salt in India
4. Ground water is the important source of salt in Rajasthan CAPF 2015
Which of the statements given above are correct? 109. Which one among the following States is the leading producer of petroleum
(a) 1 and 2 only (crude) in India?
(b) 3 and 4 only (a) Assam
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (b) Gujarat
(d) 2, 3 and 4 >>>>> Ans -C (c) Maharashtra
(d) Andhra Pradesh >>>>> Ans -C

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CISF 2014 CAPF 2015
46. Which one of the following States is well known as a major salt 110. Which one among the following States is the leading producer of salt in India?
producer ? (a) Rajasthan
(a) Andhra Pradesh (b) Gujarat
(b) Karnataka (c) Tamil Nadu
(c) Gujarat (d) Andhra Pradesh
(d) Odisha >>>> Ans -c Ans -B

CDS 2020 CAPF 2023

38. Climax mine, the largest producer of molybdenum, is located in 36. Which one of the following is a permeable rock that allows water to pass through
(a) Canada it?
(b) USA (a) Granite
(c) Australia (b) Limestone
(d) South Africa >>>> Ans -B (c) Quartzite
(d) Sill >>>>>> Ans - B
CSE 2018
81. Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of CSE 2019
heavy sand mining in riverbeds ? 62. With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the
1.Decreased salinity in the river following statements :
2.Pollution of groundwater 1. Sand is a ‘minor mineral’ according to the prevailing law in the country
3.Lowering of the water-table 2. State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but
Select the correct answer using the code given below: the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie
(a) 1 only with the Central Government.
(b) 2 and 3 only 3. State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of
(c) 1 and 3 only minor minerals.
(d) 1, 2 and 3 Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Ans -B (a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
CSE 2018 (c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
27). Consider the following statements:
Ans -A
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. CAPF 2017
3. Rajasthan has iron ore mines 82. Match -Mineral :: Mine A. Zinc 1.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Amjhore
(a) 1 and 2 B. Gold 2. Sukinda
(b) 2 only C. Chromite 3. Zawar
(c) 1 and 3 D. Pyrite 4. Hutti
(d) 3 only (a) 1 2 4 3
Ans -D (b) 3 2 4 1
(c) 3 4 2 1
(d) 1 4 2 3
CSE 1988 Ans -C
56). Match the columns :
A. Bauxite 1. Lead CSE 2009
B. Hematite 2. Thorium 23). Consider the following statements:
C. Galena 3. Aluminium 1. India does not have any deposits of Thorium
D. Monazite 4. Computer memory 2. Kerala's monazite sands contain Uranium.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: Select the correct statement/s using the code given below:
a. 3412 a. 1 only
b. 4213 b. 2 only
c. 3142 c. Both and 2
d. 2431 d. Neither 1 nor 2
Ans -a Ans -d

CSE 2022 CSE 2009

28). With reference to India, consider the following statements: 72). Which among the following has the world's largest reserve of Uranium?
1. Monazite is a source of rare earths. a. Australia
2. Monazite contains thorium. b. Canada
3. Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in c. Russian Federation
Ind ia . d. USA >>>>> Ans -a
4. In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite.
Which of the statements given above are correct? CSE 1994
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only 42). Monazite is an ore of
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only a. zirconium
(c) 3 and 4 only b. thorium
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 c. titanium
Ans -B d. iron >>>> Ans -b

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 CSE 2012
CSE 1984 61). To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue
68). The most indigenous atomic power plant is situated at research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this
a. Kota context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium?
b. Trombay
c. Tarapur 1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than Uranium
d. Kalpakkam 2. On the basis of per unit mass of mined mineral, Thorium can generate more energy
Ans -d compared to natural Uranium
3. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to Uranium
CSE 2023 Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
11. Consider the following statements: (a) 1 only
Statement -I : India, despite having uranium deposits, depends on (b) 2 and 3 only
coal for most of its electricity production. (c) 1 and 3 only
Statement -II : Uranium, enriched to the extend of at least 60%, is (d) 1, 2 and 3
required for the production of electricity. Ans -D

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above

statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is
the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is
not the correct explanation for Statement for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Ans -C

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