UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — From borderland to India’s strategic resource frontier

Q1. With reference to Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), consider the following entities as equity partners: 1. National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) 2. Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) 3. Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL) 4. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as an equity partner of KABIL?

  1. National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO)
  2. Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL)
  3. Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL)
  4. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q2. In the context of India's critical mineral strategy, what is 'KABIL'?

  • A. A joint venture company of three Ministry of Mines PSUs set up to identify and acquire critical and strategic mineral assets overseas
  • B. A production-linked incentive scheme to promote domestic manufacturing of rare earth permanent magnets
  • C. A statutory authority constituted under the MMDR Act, 1957 to auction critical mineral blocks
  • D. A specialised wing of the Geological Survey of India for exploration of lithium and cobalt in the northeast

Q3. The 'Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM)' with an outlay of Rs.7,280 crore, approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2025, is administered by which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Mines
  • B. Ministry of Heavy Industries
  • C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Q4. Under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), which one of the following is the principal agency mandated to undertake critical mineral exploration projects (1,200 projects targeted between 2024-25 and 2030-31)?

  • A. Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD)
  • B. Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM)
  • C. Geological Survey of India (GSI)
  • D. Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL)

Q5. With reference to the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), consider the following statements: 1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2025 with a total outlay of Rs.34,300 crore over seven years (FY 2024-25 to FY 2030-31). 2. Of the total outlay, Rs.16,300 crore is the government expenditure component, with the balance expected from PSUs and other stakeholders. 3. The Ministry of Mines is the nodal ministry for the Mission. 4. The Mission is implemented by the Ministry of Heavy Industries through the Geological Survey of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2025 with a total outlay of Rs.34,300 crore over seven years (FY 2024-25 to FY 2030-31).
  2. Of the total outlay, Rs.16,300 crore is the government expenditure component, with the balance expected from PSUs and other stakeholders.
  3. The Ministry of Mines is the nodal ministry for the Mission.
  4. The Mission is implemented by the Ministry of Heavy Industries through the Geological Survey of India.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4