UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India Steps Up Exploration, Mining and Value Addition of Rare-Earth Minerals

Q1. In the standard 'light' versus 'heavy' classification of rare earth elements, yttrium is placed in the heavy group. Which one of the following best explains this placement?

  • A. Yttrium has the highest atomic weight among all the rare earths
  • B. Although light in atomic weight, yttrium occurs geochemically in ores together with the heavy lanthanides
  • C. Yttrium is radioactive like the heavy lanthanides thorium and uranium
  • D. Yttrium is the only rare earth that does not form an oxide

Q2. With reference to the institutional architecture governing rare earths in India, consider the following. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration & Research (AMD) is the chief agency for rare earth exploration and functions under the Department of Atomic Energy
  2. Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) is the public sector undertaking engaged in mining and processing of rare earth-bearing minerals
  3. The Ministry of Mines is the nodal ministry for policy and for auctioning critical mineral blocks
  4. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the statutory authority that auctions rare earth exploration blocks
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the agencies and statutes that govern rare earths in India. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. AMD is a constituent unit of the Department of Atomic Energy
  2. IREL is administratively controlled by the Ministry of Mines
  3. The Ministry of Mines is the nodal ministry for auctioning critical and strategic mineral blocks
  4. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 governs prescribed substances such as monazite
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3

Q4. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 omitted a certain number of minerals from the list of atomic minerals so that they could be opened to private-sector exploration and auction. How many minerals were so omitted?

  • A. 4
  • B. 6
  • C. 12
  • D. 24

Q5. The exclusive power of the Central Government to auction blocks of critical and strategic minerals, including rare earth elements (other than uranium- and thorium-bearing minerals), was conferred through which one of the following?

  • A. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962
  • B. The MMDR Amendment Act, 2023
  • C. The original MMDR Act, 1957 as first enacted
  • D. The Mines Act, 1952

Q6. Consider the following statements about the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The NCMM has a total envisaged outlay of about ₹34,300 crore, of which ₹16,300 crore is government expenditure
  2. The NCMM spans seven years, from 2024-25 to 2030-31
  3. The NCMM is confined solely to domestic exploration and does not cover securing mineral assets abroad or recovery from end-of-life products
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. Under the National Critical Mineral Mission, the ₹1,500 crore Incentive Scheme to promote recycling of critical minerals is operationalised by which one of the following?

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

Q8. With reference to monazite and its strategic significance for India, consider the following. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Monazite is a phosphate mineral of rare earths that also contains thorium and uranium
  2. Indian monazite contains roughly 9-10% thorium oxide (ThO₂)
  3. Monazite is a 'prescribed substance' handled by the Department of Atomic Energy
  4. Monazite contains no rare earth oxides and is valued only for its thorium content
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. With reference to India's import dependence for rare earth magnets and its response measures, consider the following. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. During 2022-23 to 2024-25, China accounted for a major share of India's permanent magnet imports
  2. India's quantity-wise import dependence on China for permanent magnets in this period lay roughly between 85% and 90%
  3. IREL's rare earth refining unit is located at Chavara in Kerala
  4. The Union Budget 2026-27 announced Dedicated Rare Earth Corridors in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. Under the ₹7,280 crore 'Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets', the Government envisages selecting up to how many beneficiaries through the global competitive bidding process?

  • A. 3
  • B. 5
  • C. 7
  • D. 10