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UPSC Prelims 1990 · Indian Geography · Minerals and Energy
Match List I with List II: A. Udaipur · B. Gondwana · C. Kerala · D. Koderma — 1. Lead · 2. Tin · 3. Coal · 4. Ilmenite · 5. Mica
- (a) 1 3 4 2
- (b) 1 3 4 5
- (c) 3 2 4 1
- (d) 3 4 2 5
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (b) 1 3 4 5
Udaipur – lead · Gondwana – coal · Kerala – ilmenite · Koderma – mica.
The idea
Location clues work at different scales: a mining town, a rock system and a coastal belt are not equivalent units. First identify whether the clue concerns an ore deposit or a broad geological setting. This makes the match more reliable than memorising four disconnected place names.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Gives Koderma tin.
(c) Gives Udaipur coal.
(d) Gives Udaipur coal.
The trap
Koderma = mica capital of India.
Elimination technique
Koderma–mica leaves only (b), since the other codes assign it tin, lead or ilmenite. Check the remaining pairs to confirm the match.
Also know
Nellore in Andhra Pradesh is another mica anchor. Zawar and Rampura Agucha belong to Rajasthan’s lead–zinc family. Heavy-mineral beach sands also contain rutile, zircon and monazite, while the Damodar fields provide the peninsular Gondwana coal anchors.
🔒 Koderma (Jharkhand) mica · Zawar (Udaipur) lead-zinc · Gondwana = coal.
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