Prelims 2022 · Q28
With reference to India, consider the following statements:
- 1.Monazite is a source of rare earths.
- 2.Monazite contains thorium.
- 3.Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India.
- 4.In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (a)1, 2 and 3 only
- (b)1, 2 and 4 only
- (c)3 and 4 only
- (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
UPSC's answer: (b)
NCERT answers it: Class 12 India: People and Economy, Ch 5 (Mineral and Energy Resources).
How to solve it with NCERT: Class 12 India: People and Economy, ch 5: thorium comes from monazite (statement 2), found in the beach sands along particular coasts (NCERT names Kerala and Tamil Nadu). So it does not occur along the entire coast (statement 3 is false). Only (b) leaves 3 out.
Beyond NCERT: statement 4 is true. Monazite is a 'prescribed substance' under the Atomic Energy Act, and Indian Rare Earths Limited, a government company, is the only body allowed to process and export it. Source: Department of Atomic Energy, Press Release 10/2012, 'Export of Monazite from India – Facts' (dae.gov.in)
Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2022), question 28 ↗