GS Paper I · Resources & Industry
Minerals & Mining Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper I)
From the syllabus: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary and tertiary sector industries
Why it matters: Examiners focus on the geographical spread of resource deposits and how environmental rules impact industrial siting decisions across the country.
In the news
October 2026
05 Oct 2026Telangana
Singareni Clarifies Mining Near Ramappa Temple Poses No ThreatSingareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has clarified that its proposed coal mining activities near the historic Ramappa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, do not pose a threat to the structure. The public sector undertaking...
September 2026
30 Sep 2026
Vedanta Seeks敦 Revival of Niyamgiri Bauxite Mining ProjectVedanta has pitched a massive 1 lakh crore rupee investment in Odisha, aiming to revive bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri hills. In 2013, the mining project was shelved following a unanimous rejection by the Dongria Kondh tribe, a...
29 Sep 2026
CAG Audit Unearths Irregularities in Odisha District Mineral Foundation FundsA Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit report revealed that funds under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) in Odisha were utilized for inadmissible projects and executed in areas not directly affected by mining operations. The...
26 Sep 2026
Government Proposes Mandatory Blending of Imported CoalThe Union Power Ministry is considering a policy that mandates thermal power plants to blend up to 5% imported coal with domestic supply. This move is designed to mitigate domestic fuel shortages and maintain grid stability during...
25 Sep 2026
Mineral Rights Legislation Raises Revenue Concerns for StatesLegislators in mineral-rich states like Odisha have raised concerns over recent parliamentary amendments to mining laws that curb the power of state governments to impose additional taxes and cesses on mineral rights. State authorities...
19 Sep 2026
Balancing Deep-Sea Exploration and Ecological StewardshipIndia is actively scaling up its deep-sea exploration technologies while simultaneously establishing frameworks for ecological governance. Experts emphasize that the exploration of polymetallic nodules must not compromise the fragile...
17 Sep 2026
Mining Law Amendments Spark Concerns Over State RevenuesRecent amendments to central mining laws have raised key questions regarding fiscal federalism and state revenue shares. States bearing the infrastructural, environmental, and social burdens of mineral extraction contend that they must...
11 Sep 2026
IEA Forecasts Rise in India's Coal Demand Amid Domestic Production PushThe International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that India's domestic coal demand is projected to grow by 4.2 percent, driven by expanding industrial activity and power generation needs. The report notes government efforts to boost...
08 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Sets Deadline for Uniform Aravalli DefinitionThe Supreme Court refused to grant an extension to the high-powered committee tasked with formulating a uniform definition for the ecologically fragile Aravalli hills and range, fixing November 30 as the final deadline. The court noted...
August 2026
18 Aug 2026
Mining Amendment Act Raises Fiscal Federalism ConcernsThe proposed Mining Amendment Act has drawn opposition from several states over concerns that it undermines the federal revenue structure. Resource-rich states argue that altering royalty structures and taxation frameworks diminishes...
July 2026
30 Jul 2026
Coal Ministry Pushes for Circular Economy via Scientific Mine ClosuresThe Ministry of Coal has announced plans to scientifically close more than 105 mines in the coming years, building on 42 mine closures completed over the past two years. These closures present new opportunities to integrate former...
19 Jul 2026
India-Australia Uranium Partnership and Domestic Nuclear NeedsThe implementation of the India-Australia uranium supply agreement highlights India's ongoing struggle to meet its growing clean energy demands using limited domestic uranium reserves. While India has vast thorium reserves, its...
Practise Minerals & Mining
10 of our latest questions on this topic (out of 12).
Question 1 of 10
The landmark 2013 environmental referendum in the Niyamgiri hills of Odisha, which rejected bauxite mining, was spearheaded by which Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)?
Mains practice
Effective policy execution in a federal democracy requires balancing central regulatory framework, state fiscal autonomy, environmental conservation, and social welfare rights. Critically analyze this statement in light of recent debates on mining reforms, power sector subsidies, and forest rights implementation in India.
15 marks
The proposed Mining Amendment Act highlights the delicate balance between central regulatory authority and the fiscal autonomy of states. Analyze this statement in the context of Indian cooperative federalism and the distribution of financial resources.
15 marks
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.