UPSC Prelims 2022 Q28: Science & Technology – Materials & Engineering
With reference to India, consider the following statements:
1. Monazite is a source of rare earths.
2. Monazite contains thorium.
3. Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India.
4. In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
- (c) 3 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation
Monazite — rare earths and thorium
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Source of rare earths | Correct | Monazite is a phosphate mineral rich in cerium, lanthanum, neodymium and other rare earth elements |
| 2. Contains thorium | Correct | It has about 8–10% thorium oxide — key to India's three-stage nuclear programme |
| 3. Found in all of India's coastal sands | Wrong | Found only in certain beach sands — mainly Kerala (Chavara, Manavalakurichi in TN), Odisha (Chhatrapur) and Andhra Pradesh |
| 4. Only government bodies can process or export it | Correct | It is a 'prescribed substance' under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962; only IREL (India) Ltd handles it |
Why monazite matters:
| Use | Detail |
|---|---|
| Thorium | Fuel for stage 3 of India's nuclear programme |
| Rare earths | Magnets for electric vehicles and wind turbines; electronics |
Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 3 is false; monazite occurs only in some coastal sands.
- (b) CORRECT. Monazite gives rare earths and thorium, and only government bodies (IREL) may process or export it.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 3 is false, and it leaves out the true Statements 1 and 2.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 3 is false, so 'all four' fails.
Key point
Monazite = rare earths + thorium; found in Kerala, TN, Odisha, AP beach sands; prescribed substance handled only by IREL.
Remember
Monazite contains rare earths and thorium, and only government bodies may process or export it.
Common mistakes
- Accepting 'entire coastal sands' — absolute words like 'entire' usually make statements false.
- Forgetting that monazite is a prescribed substance under the Atomic Energy Act.
- Not linking thorium to stage 3 of India's nuclear plan.
Exam tip
India's thorium is in Kerala's black sands. Monazite deposits are patchy, not continuous.
Sources
- Department of Atomic Energy — IREL (India) Limited
- Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and prescribed substances list
- Indian Bureau of Mines — Monazite Mineral Yearbook