UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Government Notifies Coking Coal as Critical & Strategic Mineral under MMDR Act, 1957

Q1. In the context of the First Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, what does 'Part D' specifically denote?

  • A. The list of critical and strategic minerals whose mining leases are auctioned exclusively by the Central Government
  • B. The list of atomic minerals reserved for the Department of Atomic Energy
  • C. The list of major minerals whose concessions are granted by State Governments
  • D. The list of minor minerals whose regulation is delegated to State Governments

Q2. The separate list of 24 critical and strategic minerals (Part D of Schedule-I), empowering their exclusive auction by the Centre, was created by which one of the following?

  • A. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023
  • B. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015
  • C. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2021
  • D. The original Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957

Q3. The MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 omitted certain minerals from the list of atomic minerals (Part B) and included them among the critical and strategic minerals. Consider the following minerals: 1. Lithium 2. Zirconium-bearing minerals 3. Nickel 4. Tantalum Which of the above is/are correctly identified as minerals so removed from the atomic minerals list?

  1. Lithium
  2. Zirconium-bearing minerals
  3. Nickel
  4. Tantalum
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q4. The 'Exploration Licence' introduced by the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A licence granted by the State Government through competitive bidding to explore minerals specified in the Seventh Schedule
  • B. A licence granted exclusively by the Central Government to auction critical mineral blocks
  • C. A permit issued by the Geological Survey of India to conduct regional exploration
  • D. A clearance issued by the Indian Bureau of Mines for reconnaissance operations

Q5. With reference to the 2026 notification declaring coking coal a critical and strategic mineral, consider the following statements: 1. 'Coking Coal' was added to Part D (Critical & Strategic Minerals) of the First Schedule. 2. The entry for 'Coal' in Part A was amended to read 'Coal, including Coking Coal'. 3. Under Section 11D(3), royalty and auction premium on such leases accrue entirely to the Central Government. 4. The notification was issued by the Ministry of Coal. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 'Coking Coal' was added to Part D (Critical & Strategic Minerals) of the First Schedule.
  2. The entry for 'Coal' in Part A was amended to read 'Coal, including Coking Coal'.
  3. Under Section 11D(3), royalty and auction premium on such leases accrue entirely to the Central Government.
  4. The notification was issued by the Ministry of Coal.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q6. The 2026 notification adding coking coal to the list of critical and strategic minerals under the MMDR Act was issued by which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Coal
  • B. Ministry of Mines
  • C. Ministry of Steel
  • D. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Q7. Comparing India's 2023 list of critical minerals with the critical and strategic minerals recognised under the MMDR Act, consider the following statements: 1. The Ministry of Mines' 2023 list identified 30 critical minerals, whereas Part D of Schedule-I lists 24 critical and strategic minerals. 2. The committee that identified the 30 critical minerals was constituted by the Ministry of Mines in November 2022. 3. The list of critical minerals is mandated to be reviewed by the Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals every ten years. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The Ministry of Mines' 2023 list identified 30 critical minerals, whereas Part D of Schedule-I lists 24 critical and strategic minerals.
  2. The committee that identified the 30 critical minerals was constituted by the Ministry of Mines in November 2022.
  3. The list of critical minerals is mandated to be reviewed by the Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals every ten years.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Which one of the following institutions is specifically mandated to periodically update India's list of critical minerals?

  • A. Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals (CECM)
  • B. NITI Aayog
  • C. Geological Survey of India
  • D. Indian Bureau of Mines

Q9. With reference to coking (metallurgical) coal, consider the following statements: 1. It possesses strong caking properties and forms a hard, porous coke used in blast furnaces. 2. It generally has lower ash content than non-coking coal. 3. Over 90% of India's coking coal reserves lie in the Jharia coalfield. 4. It is primarily used as a fuel for thermal power generation. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It possesses strong caking properties and forms a hard, porous coke used in blast furnaces.
  2. It generally has lower ash content than non-coking coal.
  3. Over 90% of India's coking coal reserves lie in the Jharia coalfield.
  4. It is primarily used as a fuel for thermal power generation.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q10. The Union Cabinet's 2024 approval of royalty rates covered 12 critical and strategic minerals, completing rationalisation for all 24. Consider the following minerals: 1. Cobalt 2. Gallium 3. Lithium 4. Vanadium Which of the above is/are correctly identified as being among the 12 minerals covered by the 2024 decision?

  1. Cobalt
  2. Gallium
  3. Lithium
  4. Vanadium
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q11. With reference to the policy basis of the coking-coal notification and related critical-mineral initiatives, consider the following statements: 1. The decision was based on recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Implementation of Viksit Bharat Goals (HLC-VB). 2. NITI Aayog provided policy inputs for the decision. 3. The notification is aligned with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat vision. 4. The National Critical Mineral Mission has an approved outlay of Rs 34,300 crore over five years. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The decision was based on recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Implementation of Viksit Bharat Goals (HLC-VB).
  2. NITI Aayog provided policy inputs for the decision.
  3. The notification is aligned with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat vision.
  4. The National Critical Mineral Mission has an approved outlay of Rs 34,300 crore over five years.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 and 4
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3