UPSC Prelims 2015 Q58: Indian Economy – Infrastructure & Industry
In India, the steel production industry requires the import of
- (a) saltpetre
- (b) rock phosphate
- (c) coking coal
- (d) All of the above
Answer: (c) coking coal
Explanation
Imports needed by the steel industry
Steel is made from iron ore, coking coal and limestone.
India has plenty of iron ore but little good coking coal.
| Material | Used in steel? | India's position |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Saltpetre | No | Potassium nitrate; used in explosives and fertilizer |
| (b) Rock phosphate | No | Raw material for phosphatic fertilizers; imported, but not for steel |
| (c) Coking coal | Yes | Indian coal has high ash; most coking coal is imported, mainly from Australia |
Types of coal:
| Type | Use |
|---|---|
| Coking (metallurgical) coal | Made into coke for the blast furnace |
| Non-coking (thermal) coal | Burnt in power plants |
Most Indian coal is Gondwana coal of the non-coking kind; Jharia has the best coking coal.
Answer: (c) coking coal.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Saltpetre is not a raw material of the steel industry.
- (b) Incorrect. Rock phosphate is imported for fertilizers, not for steel.
- (c) CORRECT. The steel industry depends on imported coking coal.
- (d) Incorrect. Only coking coal is needed for steel, so 'All of the above' is wrong.
Key point
Steel needs iron ore, coking coal and limestone; India imports most of its coking coal (mainly from Australia) because domestic coal has high ash.
Remember
Steel industry imports coking coal.
Common mistakes
- Thinking India has enough coal of every kind.
- Confusing coking coal with thermal coal used in power plants.
- Choosing 'All of the above' because all three are imported items.
Exam tip
Ask what steel is made of: iron ore, coke and limestone. Only coke's raw material is short.
Sources
- Ministry of Steel — Raw materials for the steel industry
- NCERT Class XII — India: People and Economy (Mineral and Energy Resources; Manufacturing Industries)