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?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Chromite, kyanite and sillimanite are major minerals, which the Central Government regulates and the Indian Bureau of Mines tracks in its national mineral inventory. Bentonite is not a major mineral; it is treated as a minor mineral, which States regulate.
- ✗ 1. The Indian Bureau of Mines states that bentonite has been declared a minor mineral under Section 3(e) of the MMDR Act, 1957, so its production is reported to the States, not to IBM, and it is not counted as a major mineral.
- ✓ 2. Chromite, the ore of chromium, is a major (metallic) mineral and is listed in the national mineral inventory.
- ✓ 3. Kyanite is a major mineral and is listed in the national mineral inventory.
- ✓ 4. Sillimanite is a major mineral and is listed in the national mineral inventory.
Remember · Chromite, kyanite and sillimanite are major minerals tracked in the national mineral inventory; bentonite, a clay, is not a major mineral.
Sources
- Indian Bureau of Mines, Indian Minerals Yearbook 2022: Bentonite (Minor Minerals) ↗ “As defined in Clause (e) of the Section-3 of MM(DR) Act 1957, 'bentonite' has been declared as 'Minor Mineral', hence the producers report the production data directly to the respective States and not to IBM.”
- National Mineral Inventory: All India Summary (Chapter 6), Indian Bureau of Mines, Ministry of Mines ↗ “8 Chromite 000 Tonnes 1,56,681 3,57,945 5,14,626 9 Cobalt (Ore) Million Tonnes 0 45.65 45.65 … 20 Kyanite Tonne 8,78,968 10,45,84,416 10,54,63,384”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2020, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·