SSC Selection Post 2025 PYQ — Question 8

Correct Answer

Iron ore and Coal

Explanation

The Deccan Plateau, along with its northeastern extension (the Chhota Nagpur Plateau region), is often referred to as the mineral heartland of India. It is exceptionally rich in metallic and non-metallic minerals, with Iron ore and Coal being the primary resources driving the core industrial sectors of the region. Major iron ore belts span across Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Karnataka (such as Kudremukh and Baba Budan hills), and Goa. Simultaneously, the Gondwana rock systems found in the eastern fringes of the plateau region (Damodar, Mahanadi, and Godavari valleys) house over 90% of India's commercial coal reserves.

While the plateau does hold significant deposits of Bauxite (aluminium ore) and Manganese, the combination of massive structural iron formations and heavy industrial coal fields forms the primary foundation of the region's mineral economy. Copper and Zinc are predominantly concentrated in the Aravalli range of Rajasthan, while Gold and Diamonds are found in highly localized pockets (like Kolar and Panna) rather than as widespread regional ores.

Key Points

The Chhota Nagpur Plateau, bordering the northeastern edge of the Deccan shield, is home to the highest concentration of iron and steel plants in India due to the close geographical proximity of iron ore, coking coal, and limestone. The iron ore found here is mostly high-grade hematite and magnetite. The coal found in this plateau region belongs primarily to the Gondwana category, which is essential for metallurgical processes and thermal power generation.

Important Questions and Answers

Question: Which region of India is famously known as the 'Ruhr of India' due to its immense wealth of coal and industrial mineral resources?

Answer: The Chhota Nagpur Plateau.

Question: Which high-grade varieties of iron ore are most commonly extracted from the mines located within the Indian peninsular plateau?

Answer: Hematite and Magnetite.