QUESTION 5
GS1
10 marks
Despite India being one of the countries of the Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss why mining contributes little to India's GDP even though India's Gondwana rocks are rich in minerals.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Gondwana endowment: coal (Damodar, Mahanadi, Godavari valleys), iron ore, bauxite, mica in the peninsular shield≈30 words
- 2Mining's share of GDP is low (about 2%)≈30 words
- 3Reasons: exploration gaps (small share of potential area explored), regulatory delays, forest and tribal land issues, illegal mining, low value addition, import of high-grade inputs≈30 words
- 4Reforms: MMDR Amendment 2015 (auctions) and 2021, National Mineral Exploration Policy, critical minerals push≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
Explain Gondwana linkPresent shareCausesReformsConclusion on potential
Where marks usually go
- Explaining Gondwanaland without discussing why the GDP share is low
- No reform or figure
Draw this
- Map of Gondwana coal basins and peninsular mineral belts
Value addition
- DataMining and quarrying is roughly 2% of India's GVA, against about 5–7% in mineral-rich economies such as Australia.MoSPI National Accounts; Ministry of Mines
- LawThe MMDR Amendment Act, 2015 made auction the only route for mineral concessions and created District Mineral Foundations for affected communities.MMDR (Amendment) Act, 2015
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 38 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Akansh Dhull · AIR 3 · Page 26 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 17 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Akansh Dhull · AIR 3 · Page 11 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.