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Mineral and Energy Resources

NCERT Class 12 · Geography Based on NCERT Class 12 Geography textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter explores the rich variety of mineral and energy resources in India, their classification, distribution, and conservation. It exists in the syllabus to help students understand the geological basis of India's industrial development and the spatial patterns of resource availability. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that minerals are exhaustible, unevenly distributed, and require sustainable use and conservation for future generations.
Key Concepts (20)
Mineral
A natural substance of organic or inorganic origin with definite chemical and physical properties.
e.g. Iron ore, copper, coal, mica.
Metallic Minerals
Minerals that are sources of metals, such as iron ore, copper, and gold.
e.g. Iron ore is a metallic mineral used to produce steel.
Ferrous Minerals
Metallic minerals that contain iron content, such as iron ore and manganese.
e.g. Iron ore itself is a ferrous mineral.
Non-Ferrous Minerals
Metallic minerals that do not contain iron content, such as copper, bauxite, and gold.
e.g. Bauxite is a non-ferrous mineral used to manufacture aluminium.
Non-Metallic Minerals
Minerals that are either organic in origin (fossil fuels) or inorganic in origin (mica, limestone, graphite).
e.g. Coal is an organic non-metallic mineral; mica is an inorganic non-metallic mineral.
Fossil Fuels
Mineral fuels derived from buried animal and plant life, such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
e.g. Petroleum is a fossil fuel used in internal combustion engines.
Haematite
A type of iron ore found in India, known for its superior quality and high demand in the international market.
e.g. Haematite is mined in Odisha and Jharkhand.
Magnetite
Another type of iron ore found in India, alongside haematite.
e.g. Magnetite deposits occur in Karnataka.
Bauxite
The ore used in manufacturing aluminium, found mainly in tertiary deposits associated with laterite rocks.
e.g. Odisha is the largest producer of bauxite in India.
Copper
An indispensable metal in the electrical industry, alloyable, malleable, and ductile.
e.g. Copper is used to make wires, electric motors, and transformers.
Mica
A non-metallic mineral used in electrical and electronic industries, can be split into very thin, tough, and flexible sheets.
e.g. High quality mica is obtained in the lower Hazaribagh plateau in Jharkhand.
Coal
A fossil fuel used in thermal power generation and smelting of iron ore, occurring mainly in Gondwana and tertiary deposits.
e.g. Jharia is the largest coal field in India.
Petroleum
Crude oil consisting of hydrocarbons, used as fuel for internal combustion engines and source of numerous by-products.
e.g. Mumbai High is a major offshore oil field.
Natural Gas
A fossil fuel found with petroleum deposits, used as domestic and industrial fuel, and as raw material in chemical industries.
e.g. CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is a preferred transport fuel.
Nuclear Energy
Energy generated from uranium and thorium minerals, used as a viable source of power.
e.g. Tarapur in Maharashtra is a nuclear power station.
Solar Energy
Energy obtained by tapping sun rays in photovoltaic cells, cost competitive and environment friendly.
e.g. Solar heaters and cookers are common appliances using solar energy.
Wind Energy
Energy derived from blowing wind, converted into electrical energy through turbines, pollution free and inexhaustible.
e.g. Wind energy is generated in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
Geothermal Energy
Heat energy from the earth's interior, tapped from magma or hot water gushing through geyser wells.
e.g. A geothermal energy plant has been commissioned at Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh.
Bio-energy
Energy derived from biological products including agricultural residues, municipal, industrial, and other wastes.
e.g. Okhla in Delhi converts municipal waste into energy.
Conservation of Mineral Resources
The sustainable use of minerals to protect resources for future generations, including recycling, use of substitutes, and development of renewable energy sources.
e.g. Use of scrap metals in copper, lead, and zinc reduces the need for new mining.
How It Works
Classification of Minerals
  1. Minerals are grouped into metallic and non-metallic based on chemical and physical properties.
  2. Metallic minerals are further divided into ferrous (containing iron) and non-ferrous (no iron content).
  3. Non-metallic minerals are either organic (fossil fuels) or inorganic (mica, limestone, graphite).
💡 Ferrous always refers to iron content; non-ferrous minerals like copper and bauxite do not contain iron.
Distribution of Metallic Minerals in India
  1. Most metallic minerals occur in the peninsular plateau region in old crystalline rocks.
  2. Over 97% of coal reserves occur in the valleys of Damodar, Sone, Mahanadi, and Godavari.
  3. Petroleum reserves are located in sedimentary basins of Assam, Gujarat, and Mumbai High.
  4. Most major mineral resources occur to the east of a line linking Mangaluru and Kanpur.
💡 The north Indian alluvial plain is devoid of minerals of economic use.
Formation and Extraction of Petroleum
  1. Crude petroleum occurs in sedimentary rocks of the tertiary period.
  2. Oil is extracted from wells as crude oil containing many impurities.
  3. Crude oil is refined in refineries, which can be field-based (e.g., Digboi) or market-based (e.g., Barauni).
💡 Petroleum is called 'liquid gold' due to its scarcity and diversified uses.
Generation of Nuclear Energy
  1. Uranium and thorium are the key minerals used for nuclear energy.
  2. Uranium occurs in Dharwar rocks, e.g., along the Singhbhum Copper belt.
  3. Thorium is obtained from monazite and ilmenite in beach sands of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  4. Nuclear power projects convert these minerals into electrical energy.
💡 Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1948; Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in 1967.
Conversion of Wind Energy to Electricity
  1. Kinetic energy of wind is captured by turbines.
  2. Turbines convert kinetic energy into electrical energy.
  3. Permanent wind systems (trade winds, westerlies) and seasonal winds (monsoon) are used.
💡 Wind energy is absolutely pollution free and inexhaustible.
Conservation of Mineral Resources
  1. Develop alternative energy sources like solar, wind, wave, and geothermal to replace exhaustible resources.
  2. Recycle metals by using scrap, especially for copper, lead, and zinc.
  3. Use substitutes for scarce metals to reduce consumption.
  4. Reduce export of strategic and scarce minerals to extend reserve life.
💡 Minerals do not have a second crop; they are exhaustible over time.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing ferrous and non-ferrous minerals
✗ Copper is a ferrous mineral because it is a metal.
→ Ferrous specifically refers to minerals containing iron. Copper does not contain iron, so it is non-ferrous.
✓ Copper is a non-ferrous metallic mineral as it lacks iron content.
⚠ Mixing up Gondwana and Tertiary coal deposits
✗ All coal in India is from the Gondwana age.
→ Coal occurs in two geological ages: Gondwana (about 80% of deposits, bituminous) and Tertiary (found in Assam, Meghalaya, etc.).
✓ About 80% of India's coal is Gondwana bituminous coal; Tertiary coals occur in the northeastern states.
⚠ Assuming all non-metallic minerals are fossil fuels
✗ Mica is a fossil fuel because it is non-metallic.
→ Non-metallic minerals are of two types: organic (fossil fuels) and inorganic. Mica is inorganic, not a fossil fuel.
✓ Mica is an inorganic non-metallic mineral, not a fossil fuel.
⚠ Misidentifying the location of major iron ore reserves
✗ The Himalayan belt has the largest iron ore reserves.
→ About 95% of iron ore reserves are in the peninsular plateau states (Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Goa, etc.). The Himalayan belt has copper, lead, zinc, cobalt, and tungsten, not major iron ore.
✓ The major iron ore reserves are in the north-eastern plateau region, especially Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
⚠ Confusing field-based and market-based refineries
✗ Barauni is a field-based refinery because it is near oil fields.
→ Field-based refineries are located near oil fields (e.g., Digboi). Market-based refineries are located near markets (e.g., Barauni).
✓ Digboi is a field-based refinery; Barauni is a market-based refinery.
⚠ Thinking all renewable sources are non-conventional
✗ Hydel power is a non-conventional energy source.
→ Hydel power is a conventional renewable source. Non-conventional sources include solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, and bio-energy.
✓ Hydel power is a conventional renewable energy source; solar and wind are non-conventional.
Compare & Contrast
Iron content
Ferrous Minerals
Non-Ferrous Minerals
Ferrous minerals contain iron (e.g., iron ore, manganese), while non-ferrous minerals do not (e.g., copper, bauxite).
Geological age and location
Gondwana Coal
Tertiary Coal
Gondwana coal (about 80% of India's coal) is bituminous and found in Damodar, Godavari, Mahanadi, and Sone valleys; Tertiary coal occurs in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.
Location relative to oil fields and markets
Field-based Refinery
Market-based Refinery
Field-based refineries (e.g., Digboi) are located near oil fields; market-based refineries (e.g., Barauni) are located near consumption centres.
Renewability and environmental impact
Conventional Energy Sources
Non-Conventional Energy Sources
Conventional sources (coal, petroleum, natural gas, nuclear) are exhaustible and cause pollution; non-conventional sources (solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, bio-energy) are renewable, equitably distributed, and environment-friendly.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 SA (3 marks), 1 LA (5 marks) — total approximately 10 marks
Most asked: Classification of minerals (metallic, non-metallic, ferrous, non-ferrous) · Distribution of iron ore, coal, and petroleum in India · Non-conventional energy sources and their significance · Conservation of mineral resources
Don't skip: Describe the distribution of iron ore in India (5 marks); Explain the importance and distribution of petroleum in India (5 marks); Differentiate between conventional and non-conventional energy sources (3 marks)
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. A mineral is a natural substance of organic or inorganic origin with definite chemical and physical properties.
  2. Metallic minerals are sources of metals; ferrous minerals contain iron, non-ferrous do not.
  3. Non-metallic minerals are either organic (fossil fuels) or inorganic (mica, limestone).
  4. Most metallic minerals in India occur in the peninsular plateau region in old crystalline rocks.
  5. Over 97% of coal reserves occur in the valleys of Damodar, Sone, Mahanadi, and Godavari.
  6. Petroleum reserves are located in sedimentary basins of Assam, Gujarat, and Mumbai High.
  7. India has the largest reserve of iron ore in Asia, with haematite and magnetite as main types.
  8. Odisha is the largest producer of bauxite, used to manufacture aluminium.
  9. Copper deposits mainly occur in Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Balaghat (MP), and Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan).
  10. Mica is mainly used in electrical and electronic industries; high quality mica is found in Jharkhand.
  11. Coal occurs in Gondwana (80% bituminous) and Tertiary deposits (northeastern states).
  12. Petroleum is called 'liquid gold' due to its scarcity and diversified uses.
  13. Natural gas is used as CNG for transport and PNG for cooking.
  14. Nuclear energy uses uranium (Dharwar rocks) and thorium (monazite in Kerala beach sands).
  15. Solar energy is 7% more effective than coal or oil based plants and 10% more effective than nuclear plants.
  16. Wind energy is absolutely pollution free and inexhaustible.
  17. Geothermal energy plant in India is commissioned at Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh.
  18. Bio-energy converts agricultural residues and municipal waste into energy, e.g., Okhla in Delhi.
  19. Conservation includes recycling scrap metals, using substitutes, and developing renewable energy.
  20. Minerals are exhaustible, unevenly distributed, and have an inverse relationship between quality and quantity.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. Which of the following is a non-metallic mineral of inorganic origin?

  • A. Coal
  • B. Petroleum
  • C. Mica ✓
  • D. Iron ore

Answer: C — Mica is a non-metallic inorganic mineral; coal and petroleum are fossil fuels (organic origin); iron ore is metallic (ferrous).

Q2. Which characteristic of minerals indicates they must be conserved and not misused?

  • A. They are evenly distributed across India
  • B. They are exhaustible and cannot be immediately replenished ✓
  • C. They occur only in the Western Ghats
  • D. They have unlimited reserves beneath the earth

Answer: B — Minerals take geological time to develop and cannot be replenished immediately, making them exhaustible resources requiring conservation.

Q3. Approximately what percentage of India's iron ore reserves are located in the states of Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh combined?

  • A. 60 per cent
  • B. 75 per cent
  • C. 95 per cent ✓
  • D. 100 per cent

Answer: C — The study material explicitly states that about 95 per cent of total iron ore reserves are located in these states plus Karnataka, Goa, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

Q4. Why are iron ore mines in the North-Eastern Plateau Region particularly advantageous for steel industry development?

  • A. They are located near the coast for easy export
  • B. They occur in close proximity to coal fields, reducing transportation costs ✓
  • C. They contain the purest haematite ore in the world
  • D. They are surrounded by dense urban populations for labour supply

Answer: B — The text states iron ore mines occur in close proximity to coal fields in the north-eastern plateau region, which adds to their advantage for integrated steel production.

Q5. Which two states are the leading producers of manganese in India?

  • A. Karnataka and Kerala
  • B. Madhya Pradesh and Odisha ✓
  • C. Jharkhand and West Bengal
  • D. Gujarat and Rajasthan

Answer: B — The material explicitly identifies Madhya Pradesh and Odisha as the leading manganese producers, with Odisha's mines in the central iron ore belt.

Q6. Assertion: Most mineral resources in India occur east of the Mangaluru-Kanpur line. Reason: The peninsular plateau region contains old crystalline rocks rich in metallic minerals. Which of the following is correct?

  • A. Both assertion and reason are correct and reason explains assertion ✓
  • B. Both assertion and reason are correct but reason does not explain assertion
  • C. Assertion is correct but reason is incorrect
  • D. Both assertion and reason are incorrect

Answer: A — The assertion correctly identifies the east of Mangaluru-Kanpur as the mineral belt, and the reason correctly explains why—the peninsular plateau's old crystalline rocks contain metallic minerals.

Q7. The South-Western Plateau mineral belt is rich in ferrous metals and bauxite but lacks which important energy mineral?

  • A. Coal (except Neyveli lignite) ✓
  • B. Petroleum deposits
  • C. Natural gas
  • D. Uranium deposits

Answer: A — The text explicitly states the South-Western Plateau belt 'lacks in coal deposits except Neyveli lignite,' making it less diversified than the North-Eastern belt.

Q8. Which of the following minerals is NOT correctly paired with its leading Indian producer state?

  • A. Iron ore – Odisha
  • B. Manganese – Madhya Pradesh
  • C. Bauxite – Rajasthan ✓
  • D. Salt – Gujarat

Answer: C — The material mentions bauxite in Kerala and Odisha but does not identify Rajasthan as a bauxite producer; the North-Western region is known for copper, zinc, and building stones.

Q9. Study the distribution of coal reserves in India: 97% occur in the valleys of Damodar, Sone, Mahanadi, and Godavari. What does this concentration pattern suggest about India's industrial location?

  • A. Industries should be spread evenly across all states
  • B. Heavy industries concentrate in eastern regions near coal deposits for cost efficiency ✓
  • C. Coal reserves have no impact on industrial location decisions
  • D. Peninsular India is unsuitable for mineral-based industries

Answer: B — The extreme concentration of coal (97%) in eastern river valleys explains why iron and steel industries cluster in the North-Eastern Plateau—proximity to coal reduces transportation and production costs.

Q10. A student observes that Odisha has both iron ore AND manganese deposits concentrated in overlapping regions (Bonai, Kendujhar, Sundergarh). What advantage does this co-location provide to metallurgical industries?

  • A. It allows single-source procurement of multiple ferrous minerals for integrated steel production ✓
  • B. It guarantees that manganese is always higher quality than iron ore
  • C. It reduces the need for coal in iron smelting processes
  • D. It ensures equal mineral reserves throughout India

Answer: A — Co-location of iron ore and manganese in Odisha enables steelworks to source both essential ferrous inputs from one region, improving efficiency; manganese quality is independent of location.

Flashcards

What is a mineral? Define it with reference to its properties.

A natural substance of organic or inorganic origin with definite chemical and physical properties.

Name the two main categories of minerals based on composition.

Metallic minerals (ferrous and non-ferrous) and non-metallic minerals (organic fossil fuels and inorganic substances like mica).

Which three states together account for the majority of India's iron ore reserves?

Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh account for approximately 95% of total iron ore reserves.

What is the inverse relationship characteristic of mineral distribution?

Good quality minerals occur in smaller quantities while low-quality minerals occur in larger quantities.

Name two types of iron ore found in India.

Haematite and magnetite are the two main types of iron ore found in India.

Which mineral belt is known as the coal heartland of India?

The North-Eastern Plateau Region where 97% of coal reserves occur in Damodar, Sone, Mahanadi, and Godavari river valleys.

What is the main use of manganese in Indian industries?

Manganese is used for smelting iron ore and manufacturing ferro-alloys.

Name three important iron ore mines in Odisha.

Gurumahisani, Sulaipet, and Badampahar (Mayurbhanj) are three important iron ore mines in Odisha.

Which regions are the leading producers of manganese in India?

Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are the leading manganese producers in India.

What is the key advantage of iron ore mines in the North-Eastern Plateau?

Iron ore mines occur in close proximity to coal fields, reducing transportation costs and supporting integrated steel industries.

Important Board Questions

Define 'mineral' and list the two main categories of minerals found in India with one example each. [2 marks]

State the definition emphasizing 'natural substance with definite chemical and physical properties'; then name metallic (e.g., iron ore) and non-metallic (e.g., coal) with brief identification of their origin (organic vs. inorganic).

Explain why the North-Eastern Plateau Region is India's most important mineral belt for heavy industries. Discuss the spatial relationship between iron ore and coal deposits, and how this affects steel industry location. [5 marks]

Identify three to four minerals present (iron ore, coal, manganese, bauxite); explain the proximity advantage of iron ore to coal fields; connect this to reduced transport costs and integrated steel plant location (Jamshedpur, Bhilai, Rourkela); use specific mine names (Noamundi, Gurumahisani) to strengthen the answer.

Analyse the distribution of mineral resources across India's three major mineral belts (North-Eastern, South-Western, and North-Western regions). Compare the mineral wealth and industrial potential of each, explaining why the North-Eastern Plateau is regarded as the most diversified and industrially significant. Support your answer with specific mineral examples and geographic locations. [6 marks]

Create a comparative table or discuss each belt: North-Eastern (iron ore, coal, manganese, bauxite—95% iron ore reserves; coal proximity); South-Western (high-grade ore, bauxite, manganese—but lacks coal; less diversified); North-Western (copper, zinc, salt, building stones—but dispersed). Explain why North-Eastern dominance stems from ferrous mineral + coal synergy; reference the fact that 97% coal in eastern river valleys concentrates industrial development. Conclude with industrial clustering logic.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Mineral and Energy Resources

Q1. Assertion (A):

India is well-placed in respect to ferrous minerals both in reserves and production.

Reason (R):

India has the largest reserve of iron ore in Asia and ferrous minerals occur in close proximity to coal fields in the north-eastern plateau region.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why India is well-placed in ferrous minerals—abundant reserves combined with favorable geographic proximity of iron ore to coal fields.

Q2. Assertion (A):

The vast alluvial plain tract of north India is devoid of minerals of economic use.

Reason (R):

Minerals in India are concentrated in metamorphic and igneous rocks of the peninsular region, which formed during the pre-paleozoic age.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true. The alluvial plains lack minerals of economic use because valuable minerals are associated with old crystalline rocks of the peninsula, not with the younger alluvial deposits of the plains.

Q3. Assertion (A):

The South-Western Plateau Region is rich in ferrous metals but lacks coal deposits except for Neyveli lignite.

Reason (R):

The South-Western Region has the same geological structure as the North-Eastern Plateau Region with metamorphic rocks suitable for all types of mineral formation.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true—the region is rich in ferrous metals but lacks coal. However, the reason is false because the South-Western Region does NOT have the same geological conditions for coal formation; its structure is suited for metallic minerals but not the sedimentary conditions needed for coal.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Mineral and Energy Resources

Case Study:

The Indian Bureau of Mines reports that Odisha's Mayurbhanj district contains extensive iron ore deposits with grades ranging from 60-68% iron content, making it one of Asia's premium iron ore sources. A steel manufacturing company plans to establish a new integrated steel plant and is evaluating two locations: (1) Mayurbhanj, Odisha, where iron ore is abundant but coal must be transported 250 km from Jharkhand; (2) Chhotanagpur, Jharkhand, where both iron ore and coal are available within 100 km of each other. Environmental studies show both locations have similar water availability and workforce. The company's cost analysis indicates that proximity to raw materials reduces production costs by 15-20% compared to importing from distant sources.

Q1. Based on the proximity advantage and cost analysis, which location would be more economically feasible for the integrated steel plant, and why?

  • A. Mayurbhanj because it has higher grade iron ore with 60-68% iron content
  • B. Chhotanagpur because coal and iron ore are both available within 100 km, reducing transportation costs by 15-20% ✓
  • C. Either location is equally viable because water and workforce availability are similar
  • D. Mayurbhanj because it can source premium iron ore despite transportation costs

Answer: B

Q2. This scenario illustrates which characteristic of minerals mentioned in the chapter?

  • A. Minerals are distributed unevenly over space
  • B. Good quality minerals are less in quantity than low quality minerals
  • C. Iron ore mines occur in close proximity to coal fields in the north-eastern plateau region ✓
  • D. Minerals cannot be replenished and must be conserved

Answer: C

Q3. If the company were to establish the plant in Mayurbhanj and the 250 km coal transportation increases production costs by 18%, what would be the total cost disadvantage compared to the 15-20% proximity advantage mentioned?

  • A. Mayurbhanj would have a net cost advantage of 2-3%
  • B. Mayurbhanj would have a net cost disadvantage of 3-5% ✓
  • C. There would be no difference in total costs
  • D. Mayurbhanj would save 33-38% in total costs

Answer: B

Q4. Which mineral belt described in the chapter contains both coal and iron ore in close proximity, making it ideal for steel plant location?

  • A. South-Western Plateau Region
  • B. North-Western Region
  • C. North-Eastern Plateau Region ✓
  • D. Himalayan Belt

Answer: C

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Previous Year Questions (PYQ) for Mineral and Energy Resources

Real CBSE board exam questions from past papers — free to attempt.

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/1/1 · 5 marks

Explain the significance of petroleum as major source of energy and describe its distribution in India.

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/2/1 · 1 mark

Arrange the following coal mining areas of India from south to north direction of their location and choose the correct option: I. Singareni II. Neyveli III. Jharia IV. Talchar

  • II, I, III, IV
  • II, I, IV, III
  • I, II, IV, III
  • I, II, III, IV

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/2/1 · 1 mark

Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option: Column-I (Mineral): a. Iron-ore b. Manganese c. Bauxite d. Copper Column-II (Major Mines): i. Katni ii. Bhilwara iii. Chandrapur iv. Sundargarh

  • a-iv, b-iii, c-i, d-ii
  • a-iii, b-iv, c-ii, d-i
  • a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii
  • a-iv, b-iii, c-ii, d-i

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/2/1 · 1 mark

Read the information given in the box carefully and identify the mineral: It is a non-ferrous ore. Odisha is the largest producer state. It is used in manufacturing of aluminium.

  • Copper
  • Mica
  • Bauxite
  • Manganese

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/2/2 · 1 mark

Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option: Iron-ore (Sundargarh), Manganese (Chandrapur), Bauxite (Katni), Copper (Bhilwara)

  • a-iv, b-iii, c-i, d-ii
  • a-iii, b-iv, c-ii, d-i
  • a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii
  • a-iv, b-iii, c-ii, d-i

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/2/3 · 1 mark

Arrange the following coal mining areas of India from south to north direction of their location and choose the correct option:

  • II, I, III, IV
  • II, I, IV, III
  • I, II, IV, III
  • I, II, III, IV

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/2/3 · 1 mark

Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option: Column-I (Mineral): a. Iron-ore, b. Manganese, c. Bauxite, d. Copper Column-II (Major Mines): i. Katni, ii. Bhilwara, iii. Chandrapur, iv. Sundargarh

  • iv iii i ii
  • iii iv ii i
  • iii iv i ii
  • iv iii ii i

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/3/1 · 5 marks

Non-conventional energy sources are equitably distributed in India. Justify the statement with suitable arguments.

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/4/2 · 1 mark

Arrange the following oil refineries of Assam according to their location from the west to the east and choose the correct option. I. Guwahati II. Numaligarh III. Bongaigaon IV. Digboi

  • I, III, II, IV
  • I, III, IV, II
  • III, I, IV, II
  • III, I, II, IV

CBSE 2025 · Set 64/4/2 · 5 marks

On the given political outline map of India (on page 27), locate and label any five of the following seven geographical features with appropriate symbols: (30.1) The state leading in the production of wheat (30.2) An oil refinery in Bihar (30.3) A major sea port of Andhra Pradesh (30.4) Important coal mines located in West Bengal (30.5) Important iron ore mines located in Odisha (30.6) Important manganese mines located in Karnataka (30.7) An important international airport in Punjab

[Diagram/Map-based question — skipped]

CBSE 2025 · Set 64/4/2 · 1 mark

Arrange the following oil refineries of India from their north to south locations and choose the correct option. I. Mathura II. Bathinda III. Bina IV. Panipat

  • II, IV, I, III
  • II, IV, III, I
  • IV, II, III, I
  • IV, II, I, III

CBSE 2025 · Set 64/4/1 · 1 mark

Choose the correct option of group of states of iron ore reserves from high to low.

  • Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh
  • Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh
  • Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana
  • Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh

See all 49 board PYQs for this chapter — open PYQ tab →

Class 12 Geography Previous Year Questions, Chapter-wise

All 759 CBSE board questions from 2022–2026, sorted by chapter and question type. Free PDF download.

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Class 12 Geography Map Work

All 99 places on the CBSE 2026-27 map list, with where each is and what to remember, marked with the board years (2022–2026) each was asked. Free PDF download.

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