Minerals and Industries of India and Rajasthan (Minerals & Industries)
This page summarises the classification of minerals, India's major mineral belts, types of industries, the iron-steel and cement industries, and Rajasthan's minerals-and-industries landscape from an exam angle. REET 2024 carried 6 questions on this topic, and 4 of those were directly about Rajasthan, so give that section extra attention.
- 6 questions in REET 2024
- Class 6–8 & RBSE level
- 7 min read
How REET asks about this topic
REET 2024 carried 6 questions on this topic: the correct group of metallic minerals (iron, copper, lead), the country that collaborated on the Rourkela steel plant (Germany), and four questions on Rajasthan — the first cement factory (Lakheri), the district most favourable for the cement industry (Chittorgarh), the leading gypsum-producing district (Bikaner), and what Kamlital-Rageshwari is linked to (mineral oil and natural gas). The questions are one-line facts; if you have the classification and the 'which mineral/industry, where' pairs memorised, these are among the easiest marks available.
Classification of minerals
| Class | Identifying feature | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Metallic — Ferrous | Contain iron; make up roughly three-quarters of the total value of metallic mineral output | Iron ore, manganese, nickel, cobalt |
| Metallic — Non-ferrous | Don't contain iron, but yield metal | Copper, bauxite, lead, zinc, gold |
| Non-metallic | Don't yield metal | Mica, limestone, gypsum, potash, rock phosphate |
| Energy minerals | Provide fuel or energy | Coal, petroleum, natural gas, uranium |
REET's trap: mica and potash are non-metallic; if an option groups them as 'metallic', that option is wrong.[Source 1]
India's major mineral belts
| Mineral | Major regions (per NCERT) |
|---|---|
| Iron ore | The Bailadila hills (Chhattisgarh) — high-grade hematite; Kudremukh (Karnataka) |
| Mica | The Koderma–Gaya–Hazaribagh belt (Jharkhand) is the main one; in Rajasthan, the area around Ajmer (Bhilwara is also a major state-level producer) |
| Bauxite | Odisha — the Panchpatmali deposits in Koraput district |
| Copper | The Khetri mines (Rajasthan), Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh), Singhbhum (Jharkhand) |
| Coal | Gondwana coal — Jharia, Raniganj; lignite — Neyveli (Tamil Nadu) |
| Petroleum | Bombay High (offshore), Digboi (Assam), Ankleshwar in Gujarat |
Types of industries and major industrial units
By raw material, industries fall into two types — agro-based (cotton textiles, sugar, edible oils) and mineral-based (iron and steel, cement, aluminium). By ownership: public sector (BHEL, SAIL), private sector (TISCO, Bajaj Auto), joint sector (Oil India Ltd.) and cooperative sector (Maharashtra's sugar industry, Kerala's coir industry). Per NCERT, India's first successful cotton mill came up in Mumbai in 1854, the first jute mill near Kolkata at Rishra in 1855, and the first cement plant in Chennai in 1904.
The iron and steel industry is called a 'basic industry' because every other heavy, medium and light industry depends on its products. Most plants are concentrated in the Chota Nagpur plateau region, where iron ore, coal and limestone are found close together. Cement's main raw materials are limestone, silica and gypsum; it also needs coal, electricity and rail transport — so cement factories are usually set up close to limestone quarries.
Public-sector steel plants and their foreign collaborators
| Plant | State | Collaborating country |
|---|---|---|
| Bhilai | Chhattisgarh | Soviet Union (USSR/Russia) |
| Rourkela | Odisha | Germany |
| Durgapur | West Bengal | Britain (UK) |
| Bokaro | Jharkhand | Soviet Union (USSR/Russia) |
Trick: pair Rourkela with Germany, Durgapur with Britain, and Bhilai-Bokaro with Russia.
Rajasthan: minerals and industries — exam facts
- Lead-zinc
- In FY2022, the entire country's lead and zinc concentrate output came from Rajasthan; the major mines are Zawar (near Udaipur) and Rampura-Agucha (Bhilwara).[Source 3]
- Copper
- Khetri (Jhunjhunu); accounted for 43.1% of the country's copper concentrate output in FY2022.[Source 3]
- Rock phosphate
- About 92% of the country's total output in FY2022; the main mine is Jhamarkotra (Udaipur).[Source 3]
- Gypsum
- Rajasthan holds roughly 92% of the country's total gypsum reserves — Bikaner, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Sri Ganganagar and Nagaur districts; in REET, the leading producing district is Bikaner.[Source 4]
- Mica
- The Bhilwara and Ajmer areas are the main producers.
- Marble
- Rajasthan is the country's largest producer; Makrana's white marble is famous.[Source 3]
- Mineral oil and gas
- In the Barmer basin: oil fields such as Mangala, Bhagyam and Aishwarya, and the Rageshwari gas field; the Jaisalmer basin (e.g. Tanot) has natural gas. REET 2024 linked Kamlital-Rageshwari to mineral oil and natural gas.
- First cement factory
- Lakheri (Bundi) — set up in 1913, one of the country's oldest cement plants.
- Most favourable for cement
- Chittorgarh district — vast limestone reserves; large plants at Nimbahera and Chittorgarh.
Where industries locate, and mineral conservation
Where an industry is set up depends on several factors — availability of raw material, energy (coal, electricity), transport, water, labour, capital and market. Industries where the raw material is heavy and loses much of its weight during processing — such as iron-steel and cement — usually locate near the raw material source. That's why steel plants cluster in the Chota Nagpur plateau and cement factories cluster in limestone-rich districts like Chittorgarh and Bundi in Rajasthan.
Minerals are non-renewable resources — they take millions of years to form, while they are used up very fast. So their conservation matters: recycling metals, using scrap metal, reducing waste in mining through better technology, and using substitutes. Mining also causes problems like land degradation, dust pollution and health effects on miners, so refilling land and developing greenery after mining is part of conservation too.
How to teach this to children
Classroom activity (Class 8)
A 'spot the mineral' corner: keep samples such as chalk (a calcium compound — based on gypsum/limestone), an old copper wire, a pencil 'lead' (graphite), a sheet of mica, and plaster of Paris (made from gypsum). Students sort each item as metallic/non-metallic and say where its mineral is found in Rajasthan.
Teaching materials
A blank map of India and Rajasthan — students stick coloured stickers for mineral belts (Khetri, Zawar, Bailadila) and steel plants (Bhilai, Rourkela, Durgapur, Bokaro). This fixes the 'place–mineral' pairing in visual memory.
Common misconceptions
Children assume every shiny mineral is metallic (mica is shiny but non-metallic), and that 'lead' means glass — clarify that lead is a metal, and pencil 'lead' is actually graphite. Also point out that minerals are limited and non-renewable.
Assessment approach
A local project: 'Which mineral/industry is in our district, and what is its effect on employment and the environment?' — with a group report and map, alongside 'match the pairs' questions (plant–country, mineral–district).
Memory trick / exam tip
For Rajasthan's cement questions, remember two separate answers: if asked for 'the first', it's Lakheri (Bundi); if asked 'most favourable / most factories', it's Chittorgarh — because that's where limestone is most abundant. The 'reason' option (limestone availability) will always lead you to the right answer.
Questions asked in REET 2024 (solved)
Question 127
In Rajasthan Kamalital and Rajeshwari are related with
- Aकोयला
- Bखनिज तेल व प्राकृतिक गैस
- Cपरमाणु ऊर्जा
- Dतांबा
Explanation
राजस्थान की पाठ्यपुस्तक के अनुसार कमलीताल, रागेश्वरी (राजेश्वरी), तनोट आदि क्षेत्रों में प्राकृतिक गैस के भंडार मिलते हैं। रागेश्वरी क्षेत्र बाड़मेर बेसिन में है, जहाँ मंगला, ऐश्वर्या आदि तेल क्षेत्र भी हैं। इसलिए इनका सम्बंध खनिज तेल व प्राकृतिक गैस से है और सही उत्तर (B) है।
Question 140
The correct group of metallic minerals is
- Aलौहा, तांबा, अभ्रक
- Bअभ्रक, पोटाश, लौहा
- Cलौहा, तांबा, सीसा
- Dलौहा, तांबा, पोटाश
Explanation
लौह, तांबा और सीसा धात्विक खनिज हैं, जिनसे धातुएँ प्राप्त होती हैं। अभ्रक (mica) और पोटाश अधात्विक खनिज हैं, इसलिए जिन समूहों में ये हैं (A, B, D) वे गलत हैं। अतः सही समूह (C) है।
Question 149
Where was the first cement factory established in Rajasthan ?
- Aलाखेरी
- Bब्यावर
- Cनिम्बाहेड़ा
- Dचित्तोड़गढ
Explanation
राजस्थान का पहला सीमेंट कारखाना बूंदी जिले के लाखेरी में ACC द्वारा स्थापित हुआ था; स्रोतों में इसकी स्थापना लगभग 1915 और उत्पादन 1917 से बताया जाता है। निम्बाहेड़ा और चित्तौड़गढ़ बाद में सीमेंट उद्योग के प्रमुख केन्द्र बने। अतः सही उत्तर (A) लाखेरी है।
Question 91
Major gypsum producing district of Rajasthan is
- Aभीलवाड़ा
- Bउदयपुर
- Cअजमेर
- Dबीकानेर
Explanation
राजस्थान जिप्सम उत्पादन में देश में अग्रणी है और इसके प्रमुख उत्पादक जिलों में नागौर, बीकानेर, बाड़मेर, जैसलमेर, हनुमानगढ़ और श्रीगंगानगर आते हैं। दिए गए विकल्पों में केवल बीकानेर ही प्रमुख जिप्सम क्षेत्र है (जैसे जामसर क्षेत्र)। भीलवाड़ा, उदयपुर और अजमेर मुख्य रूप से अन्य खनिजों (जैसे अभ्रक, सीसा-जस्ता, फेल्सपार) के लिए जाने जाते हैं।
Question 102
With the help of which country Rourkela Steel Plant was established ?
- Aअमेरिका
- Bरूस
- Cब्रिटेन
- Dजर्मनी
Explanation
ओडिशा का राउरकेला इस्पात संयंत्र द्वितीय पंचवर्षीय योजना के दौरान तत्कालीन पश्चिम जर्मनी के सहयोग से स्थापित किया गया था। भिलाई (छत्तीसगढ़) और बोकारो (झारखंड) संयंत्र सोवियत रूस के सहयोग से, जबकि दुर्गापुर (पश्चिम बंगाल) संयंत्र ब्रिटेन के सहयोग से स्थापित हुए।
Question 150
The most favourable conditions for the cement industry are found in Rajasthan at
- Aचित्तौड़गढ़ में
- Bजयपुर में
- Cअलवर में
- Dबाड़मेर में
Explanation
सीमेंट उद्योग के लिए चूना पत्थर मुख्य कच्चा माल है, और राजस्थान में चित्तौड़गढ़ जिले में उच्च गुणवत्ता वाले चूना पत्थर के विशाल भंडार हैं। इसी कारण चित्तौड़गढ़ (निम्बाहेड़ा, चंदेरिया आदि) में कई बड़े सीमेंट संयंत्र स्थापित हैं और यहाँ सीमेंट उद्योग के लिए सर्वाधिक अनुकूल परिस्थितियाँ मानी जाती हैं।
Practice questions
Question 1
Which of the following is a non-metallic mineral?
- Aबॉक्साइट
- Bमैंगनीज़
- Cजिप्सम
- Dजस्ता
Explanation
Gypsum doesn't yield a metal, so it's a non-metallic mineral, used in cement and fertilisers. Bauxite (aluminium), manganese and zinc are metallic minerals.
Question 2
Durgapur Steel Plant was set up with the collaboration of which country?
- Aसोवियत संघ
- Bजर्मनी
- Cब्रिटेन
- Dजापान
Explanation
Durgapur (West Bengal) was built with British collaboration. Bhilai and Bokaro were built with Soviet Union help, and Rourkela with Germany's.
Question 3
Khetri mines are famous for which mineral?
- Aतांबा
- Bसीसा-जस्ता
- Cरॉक फॉस्फेट
- Dअभ्रक
Explanation
The Khetri mines in Jhunjhunu district are known for copper. Zawar and Rampura-Agucha are known for lead-zinc, Jhamarkotra for rock phosphate, and the Bhilwara-Ajmer area for mica.
Question 4
Match — (a) Zawar (b) Jhamarkotra (c) Makrana (d) Khetri ; (1) Marble (2) Copper (3) Lead-zinc (4) Rock phosphate
- Aa-3, b-4, c-1, d-2
- Ba-4, b-3, c-1, d-2
- Ca-3, b-4, c-2, d-1
- Da-2, b-1, c-4, d-3
Explanation
Zawar (Udaipur area) — lead-zinc, Jhamarkotra (Udaipur) — rock phosphate, Makrana — marble, and Khetri — copper. So the correct match is a-3, b-4, c-1, d-2.
Question 5
Which of the following is NOT a main raw material for the cement industry?
- Aचूना-पत्थर
- Bजिप्सम
- Cसिलिका
- Dबॉक्साइट
Explanation
Per NCERT, cement's main raw materials are limestone, silica and gypsum. Bauxite is the raw material for the aluminium industry.
Question 6
On the basis of ownership, 'Oil India Ltd.' belongs to which sector?
- Aसार्वजनिक क्षेत्र
- Bनिजी क्षेत्र
- Cसंयुक्त क्षेत्र
- Dसहकारी क्षेत्र
Explanation
NCERT's Class 10 textbook gives Oil India Ltd. as an example of the joint sector, where both government and private parties participate. SAIL is public sector, TISCO is private sector, and Maharashtra's sugar mills are cooperative sector.
Question 7
Rajasthan's Barmer basin is mainly known for—
- Aकोयला
- Bखनिज तेल व प्राकृतिक गैस
- Cलौह अयस्क
- Dबॉक्साइट
Explanation
The Barmer basin has oil fields like Mangala and Aishwarya, and natural gas at fields like Rageshwari. The other options don't identify this basin.
Question 8
Why is the iron and steel industry called a 'basic industry'?
- Aयह केवल गाँवों में लगता है
- Bअन्य सभी भारी, मध्यम और हल्के उद्योग इसके उत्पादों पर निर्भर हैं
- Cइसमें कच्चे माल की आवश्यकता नहीं होती
- Dयह केवल कृषि उत्पादों पर आधारित है
Explanation
Machines, tools, vehicles and construction all depend on steel, which is why it's called a basic industry. It's a mineral-based industry, not agriculture-based.
Question 9
A Class 8 student says, 'Mica is shiny, so it is a metallic mineral.' What is the most appropriate response for the teacher?
- Aविद्यार्थी को गलत कहकर अगला प्रश्न पूछना
- Bखनिज वर्गीकरण की परिभाषा रटने को कहना
- Cनमूने दिखाकर चर्चा कराना कि धात्विक खनिज की पहचान उससे धातु मिलने से होती है, चमक से नहीं
- Dउत्तर को सही मान लेना ताकि विद्यार्थी हतोत्साहित न हो
Explanation
Clearing up the misconception through samples and discussion is the constructivist and effective approach — students come to see for themselves that the basis of classification is whether a metal is obtained, not shine. Accepting the wrong answer or just having them memorise the definition doesn't remove the misconception.
Question 10
While teaching India's mineral resources, the most effective teaching aid to fix 'place–mineral' pairs in memory is—
- Aकेवल पाठ्यपुस्तक का पठन
- Bविद्यार्थियों द्वारा रिक्त मानचित्र पर खनिज क्षेत्र अंकित करना
- Cश्रुतलेख (डिक्टेशन)
- Dरेडियो कार्यक्रम
Explanation
Mineral distribution is spatial information, so having students mark mineral belts on a blank map themselves builds both visual memory and active participation. Reading, dictation or radio don't make the spatial relationship clear.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between metallic and non-metallic minerals?+
Metal is extracted by smelting metallic minerals (iron ore, copper, lead, bauxite), while non-metallic minerals (mica, limestone, gypsum, potash) don't yield metal.
Where was Rajasthan's first cement factory set up?+
At Lakheri in Bundi district, established in 1913. Per NCERT, India's first cement plant was set up in Chennai in 1904.
Which countries helped build Rourkela, Bhilai, Durgapur and Bokaro?+
Rourkela — Germany; Bhilai and Bokaro — the Soviet Union (Russia); Durgapur — Britain.
How many questions come from minerals and industries in REET?+
There's no fixed number, but REET 2024 carried 6 questions on this topic across Level 2 Social Studies shifts, of which 4 were on Rajasthan's minerals and industries.
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Change Log
- 17 September 2026 — English page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked