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?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) 3 only
Only statement 3 is correct. Rajasthan does produce iron ore, whereas State Governments do hold the auction of mineral concessions and both Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand have gold mines.
- ✗ 1. Since the 2015 amendment of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, mineral concessions are granted by the State Governments and only through auction.
- ✗ 2. Jharkhand has a working private gold mine at Kunderkocha in Singhbhum East district. Andhra Pradesh has a gold mining lease in Kurnool district (Jonnagiri), so both States have gold mines, even though Karnataka produces about 99% of India's gold.
- ✓ 3. Rajasthan does have iron ore mines. In 2021-22 Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Jharkhand gave about 96% of India's iron ore, and the rest came from Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Remember · States conduct the auction of mineral concessions (MMDR Act, 2015). Gold mines: Karnataka mainly, also Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh. Rajasthan has iron ore.
Sources
- PIB, Ministry of Mines: Government Promulgates the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015 ↗ “All mineral concessions are granted by the respective State Governments. They will continue to do so but all grant of mineral concessions would be through auctions”
- Indian Minerals Yearbook 2017, Gold, Indian Bureau of Mines ↗ “Manmohan Mineral Industries Pvt. Ltd is engaged in mine production of gold at Kunderkocha, in Singhbhum East district, Jharkhand by undeground method of mining.”
- Indian Minerals Yearbook 2019, Gold, Indian Bureau of Mines ↗ “Geomysore Services (India) Pvt. Ltd has been granted a mining lease for gold mining in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.”
- Indian Minerals Yearbook 2022, Iron Ore, Indian Bureau of Mines ↗ “i.e., 4.29% production was reported from Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2018, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·