Which statement best reflects the role of non-metallic minerals in India?

Question

Which statement best reflects the role of non-metallic minerals in India?

1. A. India lacks enough reserves for industrial use.
2. B. Mostly used as gems, with minimal industrial use.
3. C. India has rich reserves vital for major industries. (Correct answer)
4. D. Only metallic minerals drive industrial growth.

Correct Answer

Option C — India has rich reserves vital for major industries.

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is India has rich reserves vital for major industries.

Key Points

• Non-metallic minerals contain no extractable metal and are valued for their physical or chemical properties — limestone, mica, gypsum, dolomite, phosphate and manganese-free industrial rock.
• India holds substantial reserves that feed core industries: limestone is the essential input for cement and a flux in iron and steel, gypsum goes into cement and fertiliser, and mica — in which India is a leading producer, chiefly from Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan — is critical to electrical and electronic insulation.
• That makes options A and B wrong: reserves are ample and their use is overwhelmingly industrial rather than ornamental.
• Option D is wrong because industrial growth depends on both mineral classes, not metallic minerals alone.

Additional Information

• Minerals divide into metallic (ferrous such as iron and manganese, non-ferrous such as copper and bauxite, and precious such as gold and silver), non-metallic (limestone, mica, gypsum) and energy minerals (coal, petroleum, natural gas).
• India is a leading global producer of mica, and holds substantial bauxite, iron ore and limestone reserves.
• Mineral-rich states worth pairing: Jharkhand and Odisha (iron, coal, bauxite), Rajasthan (gypsum, lead-zinc, marble) and Madhya Pradesh (diamonds at Panna).

प्रश्न (हिन्दी में)

कौन सा कथन भारत में अधात्विक खनिजों की भूमिका को सर्वोत्तम रूप से दर्शाता है?

1. A. भारत में औद्योगिक उपयोग के लिए पर्याप्त भंडार का अभाव है
2. B. इसका अधिकतर उपयोग रत्नों के रूप में किया जाता है, तथा औद्योगिक उपयोग न्यूनतम होता है
3. C. भारत में प्रमुख उद्योगों के लिए महत्वपूर्ण समृद्ध भंडार मौजूद हैं
4. D. केवल धात्विक खनिज ही औद्योगिक विकास को गति देते हैं