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 ?
Show answer
Answer: D. Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, chromite, kyanite and sillimanite are major minerals. Bentonite is a minor mineral (notified as minor in 2015). So 2, 3 and 4.
Watch for: Students do not know that minerals can be moved between the major and minor lists.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because bentonite is a minor mineral.
- B. Wrong because chromite and kyanite are also major minerals.
- C. Wrong because bentonite is a minor mineral.
Source to check: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, Section 3(e); Ministry of Mines notification of 10 February 2015
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.