MCQ 1. Consider the following statements:
1. All Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are classified as critical minerals in India.
2. A mineral becomes “critical” only when its reserves are geologically rare.
3. Critical minerals are essential for India’s clean energy transition and advanced technologies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
• Statement 1 – Incorrect: Not all REEs are classified as critical; India’s 2023 list includes several REEs but not every single one.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: Criticality = importance + supply risk, not only geological rarity.
• Statement 3 – Correct: Critical minerals are central to EVs, solar, wind, semiconductors, defence, etc.
MCQ 2. Which of the following minerals is most crucial for manufacturing the anode of Lithium-ion batteries?
• EV battery anodes are 90–95% natural or synthetic graphite.
• Lithium is used in electrolyte/cathode; cobalt and nickel are cathode materials.
• Hence Graphite is the most critical anode material.
MCQ 3. India is 100% import-dependent on which of the following minerals?
1. Caesium
2. Rubidium
3. Lithium
4. Nickel
Select the correct answer using the code below:
• India imports 100% of Caesium, Rubidium and Lithium.
• India imports ~90% of Nickel → not 100%.
So 1, 2 and 3.
MCQ 4. Consider the following pairs:
Mineral — Major Use
1. Zirconium — Nuclear reactors
2. Gallium — Semiconductor chips
3. Vanadium — Flow batteries
4. Niobium — Fertilizer production
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
• Zirconium → Nuclear reactors ✔
• Gallium → Semiconductors, LEDs ✔
• Vanadium → Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs) ✔
• Niobium → Aerospace alloys, superconductors, NOT fertilizers ❌
MCQ 5. With reference to the term “critical minerals”, consider the following statements:
1. India has officially notified its first National Critical Minerals List in 2023.
2. These minerals are important for green technologies but not for defence applications.
3. Supply chain concentration in a few countries increases the criticality score of a mineral.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
• Statement 1: Correct — India’s first official list was released in June 2023.
• Statement 2: Incorrect — Many are vital for defence (zirconium, niobium, titanium).
• Statement 3: Correct — Criticality increases if supply is dominated by one country (e.g., China for REEs).
MCQ 6. Which of the following are considered “battery critical minerals”?
1. Lithium
2. Cobalt
3. Titanium
4. Nickel
5. Graphite
Select the correct answer:
Battery minerals for Li-ion batteries include:
• Lithium ✔
• Cobalt ✔
• Nickel ✔
• Graphite (anode material) ✔
Titanium: not a major battery mineral; used in aerospace. ❌
MCQ 7. The mineral Niobium, recently declared critical by several countries, is mainly used in:
• Niobium is used in high-strength steel, aerospace components, superalloys.
• Not used in fertilisers or solar cells.
MCQ 8. The “Criticality” of a mineral depends on:
1. Technological importance
2. Geological availability
3. Supply chain concentration
4. Import dependence
Select the correct answer:
Criticality :
• Importance across sectors ✔
• Geological scarcity ✔
• Supply concentration ✔
• Import dependence & vulnerability ✔.
MCQ 9. Which one of the following minerals is crucial for manufacturing atomic clocks used in GPS systems?
• Caesium = essential for atomic clocks → GPS, telecom, space systems.
• Zirconium is nuclear; Hafnium is for reactors; Beryllium for aerospace.
MCQ 10. India’s critical minerals strategy focuses on which of the following?
1. Domestic exploration
2. Overseas mineral partnerships
3. Strategic mineral reserves
4. Ban on private mining of critical minerals
Which of the statements given above are correct?
• India’s strategy includes:
✔ Domestic exploration
✔ Australia, Argentina, Africa mineral partnerships
✔ Strategic reserves
• NO ban on private mining. In fact, government encourages it