UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 53
Consider the following statements :
- India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member.
- India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that it has identified.
- The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for certain critical minerals.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct Option: C (I and III only)
Explanation: India joined the Minerals Security Partnership in 2023, and the 2023 MMDR amendment gave the Centre authority to auction specified critical-mineral blocks. India is not naturally well endowed in every mineral on its own critical-mineral list.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
I: True-India joined the MSP.
II: False-India imports many critical minerals and lacks adequate domestic deposits of several.
III: True-the 2023 amendment gave the Centre exclusive auction power for specified critical minerals.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-includes II despite the item-wise findings; omits III which the answer requires.
B. Incorrect-includes II despite the item-wise findings; omits I which the answer requires.
C. Correct-this matches the facts and the item-wise assessment above.
D. Incorrect-includes II despite the item-wise findings.