Consider the following statements :
- 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.
- 3.Rajasthan has iron ore mines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Show answer
Answer: D. Statement 1 is wrong: after the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, State Governments auction mineral concessions for non-coal major minerals. Statement 2 is wrong: Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh both have gold deposits and mines. Statement 3 is correct: Rajasthan has iron ore mines, for example in Jaipur and Udaipur districts. So only 3.
Watch for: Mining is linked with the Centre (coal auctions), so students assume States have no auction role.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because States do auction non-coal mines and both these States have gold mines.
- B. Wrong because Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh do have gold mines.
- C. Wrong because statement 1 is false; States conduct these auctions.
Source to check: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, Section 10B; Indian Bureau of Mines, Indian Minerals Yearbook (Gold, Iron Ore chapters)
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.