India is endowed with a rich variety of mineral | Class 12 Geography Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 3 min read
India is endowed with a rich variety of mineral – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of India is endowed with a rich variety of mineral from Class 12 Geography, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
Types of Mineral Resources
Minerals in India are classified based on their chemical and physical properties into two main categories: metallic and non-metallic minerals. Metallic minerals are sources of metals and are further divided into ferrous and non-ferrous minerals. Ferrous minerals contain iron, such as iron ore, while non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron, examples include copper and bauxite. Non-metallic minerals can be organic or inorganic. Organic non-metallic minerals, also called fossil fuels, are derived from buried animal and plant life and include coal and petroleum. Inorganic non-metallic minerals include mica, limestone, and graphite. Minerals have certain key characteristics: they are unevenly distributed spatially; there is an inverse relationship between quality and quantity (high-quality minerals are less abundant); and all minerals are exhaustible over time as they take long geological periods to form and cannot be replenished quickly. Therefore, conservation is essential.
📊 Diagram: Figure 5.1 shows the classification of minerals into metallic (ferrous and non-ferrous) and non-metallic (organic and inorganic) categories.
🔗 Connection: Prepares for understanding the distribution of minerals in India.
Frequently asked questions
1. Choose the right answers of the following from the given options. (i) In which one of the following States are the major oil fields located? (a) Assam (b) Bihar (c) Rajasthan (d) Tamil Nadu (ii) At which one of the following places was the first atomic power station started? (a) Kalpakkam (b) Narora (c) Rana Pratap Sagar (d) Tarapur (iii) Which one of the following is non-renewable source of energy? (a) Hydel (b) Solar (c) Thermal (d) Wind power
(i) The major oil fields in India are located in Assam. Assam is known for its oil fields like Digboi, Naharkatiya, and Moran.
(ii) The first atomic power station in India was started at Tarapur in Maharashtra in 1969.
(iii) Thermal energy is a non-renewable source of energy as it primarily depends on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas which are finite resources.
2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words. (i) Give an account of the distribution of mica in India. (ii) What is nuclear power? Mention the important nuclear power stations in India. (iii) Name non-ferrous metal. Discuss their spatial distribution. (iv) What are non-conventional sources of energy?
(i) Mica is mainly found in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Jharkhand and Bihar are the leading producers.
(ii) Nuclear power is the energy released during nuclear fission or fusion reactions. Important nuclear power stations in India include Tarapur (Maharashtra), Rawatbhata (Rajasthan), Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu), Narora (Uttar Pradesh), and Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu).
(iii) Non-ferrous metals include copper, aluminum, lead, zinc, and tin. Copper is mainly
3. Answer the following questions in about 150 words. (i) Write a detailed note on the Petroleum resources of India. (ii) Write an essay on hydel power in India.
(i) Petroleum resources in India are found mainly in Assam, Gujarat, Mumbai High off the coast of Maharashtra, and the Krishna-Godavari basin. Assam was the first region where oil was discovered in India. Mumbai High is the largest offshore oil field. Petroleum is a crucial energy resource for India’s economy, used for transportation, industry, and domestic purposes. Exploration and production have increased with technological advancements, but India still imports a significant portion of its pe
What is the definition of a mineral according to the chapter on Mineral and Energy Resources?
A mineral is a natural substance of organic or inorganic origin with definite chemical and physical properties.
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Clear NCERT-aligned notes on computer hardware and the application software are referred as the Database for Class 12 Geography.
- computer hardware and the application software are referred as the Database | Class 12 Geography Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on computer hardware and the application software are referred as the Database for Class 12 Geography.
- computer hardware and the application software are referred as the Database | Class 12 Geography Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on computer hardware and the application software are referred as the Database for Class 12 Geography.