UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 96
Consider the following statements :
- Coal sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi.
- Now, coal blocks are allocated on lottery basis.
- Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages of domestic supply, but now India is self-sufficient in coal production.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
India’s coal mining nationalisation occurred chiefly in 1972–1973 under Indira Gandhi. Coal blocks were subsequently allocated by auction and other legal processes, not lottery, and India remained a significant coal importer in 2019.
Statement / Pair Analysis:
1 (Correct): The major coal industry nationalisation took place during Indira Gandhi’s premiership.
2 (Incorrect): Allocation processes involved auction/allotment, not a general lottery system.
3 (Incorrect): India still imported coal, especially grades for power plants and steel production, and was not wholly self-sufficient.
Option-wise Analysis:
A (Correct): Includes all and only the true statements/pairs.
B (Incorrect): It includes false item 2 (Allocation processes involved auction/allotment, not a general lottery system); includes false item 3 (India still imported coal, especially grades for power plants and steel production, and was not…); omits true item 1 (The major coal industry nationalisation took place during Indira Gandhi’s premiership).
C (Incorrect): It includes false item 3 (India still imported coal, especially grades for power plants and steel production, and was not…); omits true item 1 (The major coal industry nationalisation took place during Indira Gandhi’s premiership).
D (Incorrect): It includes false item 2 (Allocation processes involved auction/allotment, not a general lottery system); includes false item 3 (India still imported coal, especially grades for power plants and steel production, and was not…).