NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science (Contemporary India II) Chapter 5: Minerals and Energy Resources (NCERT 2026–27)

These Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 solutions cover Minerals and Energy Resources from Contemporary India II, the Class 10 Social Science (Geography) textbook for the 2026–27 session. The chapter explains what a mineral is, the modes of occurrence of minerals, the distribution of ferrous, non-ferrous, non-metallic and rock minerals in India, the hazards of mining, the conservation of minerals, and India’s conventional and non-conventional energy resources. Below you get step-by-step answers to all NCERT Exercises (reproduced verbatim), plus key terms, extra practice, MCQs, Assertion–Reason questions and FAQs to help you score full marks.

Class: 10 Subject: Social Science (Geography) Book: Contemporary India II Chapter: 5 Topic: Minerals and Energy Resources Session: 2026–27
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Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 – Overview

Chapter 5, Minerals and Energy Resources, shows that minerals are an indispensable part of our lives — almost everything we use, from a pin to a ship, is made from minerals. A mineral is a homogenous, naturally occurring substance with a definable internal structure, usually found in ores in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, in placer and alluvial deposits and in ocean waters. The chapter studies the distribution of ferrous minerals (iron ore, manganese), non-ferrous minerals (copper, bauxite), non-metallic minerals (mica) and rock minerals (limestone), the major iron-ore belts, the hazards of mining, and the urgent need to conserve these finite, non-renewable resources. It then turns to energy resources — conventional sources (coal, petroleum, natural gas, electricity from hydel and thermal power) and non-conventional sources (nuclear, solar, wind, biogas, tidal and geothermal energy) — and stresses that “energy saved is energy produced.”

Key Terms & Concepts

Mineral: a homogenous, naturally occurring substance with a definable internal structure; minerals range from the hardest diamond to the softest talc.

Ore: an accumulation of any mineral mixed with other elements; the mineral content of the ore must be in sufficient concentration to make extraction commercially viable.

Veins and lodes: in igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals occur in cracks, crevices, faults or joints — the smaller occurrences are veins and the larger are lodes (e.g. tin, copper, zinc, lead).

Placer deposits: minerals occurring as alluvial deposits in sands of valley floors and the base of hills, not corroded by water — gold, silver, tin and platinum.

Ferrous minerals: minerals containing iron — iron ore and manganese; they account for about three-fourths of the value of metallic mineral production.

Non-ferrous minerals: minerals that do not contain iron — copper, bauxite, lead, zinc and gold.

Magnetite & hematite: magnetite is the finest iron ore (up to 70% iron) with excellent magnetic qualities; hematite is the most important industrial iron ore (50–60% iron).

Conventional sources of energy: firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity (hydel and thermal).

Non-conventional sources of energy: solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biogas and atomic (nuclear) energy.

Conservation of minerals: using mineral resources in a planned, sustainable manner — using low-grade ores at low cost, recycling metals, using scrap and substitutes — because minerals are finite and non-renewable.

NCERT Exercises — Full Solutions

All questions below are reproduced verbatim from the NCERT textbook’s end-of-chapter Exercises. Answers are original, written in exam-ready style.

1. Multiple choice questions.

(i) Which one of the following minerals is formed by decomposition of rocks, leaving a residual mass of weathered material? (a) coal    (b) bauxite    (c) gold    (d) zinc

ANSWER (b) bauxite. Bauxite is formed by the decomposition of a wide variety of surface rocks rich in aluminium silicates, where soluble constituents are removed leaving a residual mass of weathered material containing ores.

(ii) Koderma, in Jharkhand is the leading producer of which one of the following minerals? (a) bauxite    (b) mica    (c) iron ore    (d) copper

ANSWER (b) mica. The Koderma–Gaya–Hazaribagh belt of Jharkhand, on the northern edge of the Chota Nagpur plateau, is the leading producer of mica in India.

(iii) Minerals are deposited and accumulated in the stratas of which of the following rocks? (a) sedimentary rocks    (b) metamorphic rocks    (c) igneous rocks    (d) none of the above

ANSWER (a) sedimentary rocks. In sedimentary rocks a number of minerals occur in beds or layers (strata), formed by deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal strata — for example coal and some forms of iron ore.

(iv) Which one of the following minerals is contained in the Monazite sand? (a) oil    (b) uranium    (c) thorium    (d) coal

ANSWER (c) thorium. The Monazite sands of Kerala are rich in Thorium, which is used for generating atomic or nuclear power.

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) Distinguish between the following in not more than 30 words. (a) ferrous and non-ferrous minerals (b) conventional and non-conventional sources of energy

ANSWER (a) Ferrous vs non-ferrous minerals: Ferrous minerals contain iron and form the base of metallurgical industries, e.g. iron ore and manganese. Non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron, e.g. copper, bauxite, lead, zinc and gold. (b) Conventional vs non-conventional energy: Conventional sources are long-used and mostly non-renewable, e.g. firewood, coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity. Non-conventional sources are renewable and eco-friendly, e.g. solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biogas and atomic energy.

(ii) What is a mineral?

ANSWER Geologists define a mineral as a “homogenous, naturally occurring substance with a definable internal structure.” Minerals are found in varied forms in nature, ranging from the hardest diamond to the softest talc.

(iii) How are minerals formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks?

ANSWER In igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals may occur in the cracks, crevices, faults or joints. They are formed when minerals in liquid, molten or gaseous forms are forced upward through cavities towards the earth’s surface, where they cool and solidify. The smaller occurrences are called veins and the larger are called lodes.

(iv) Why do we need to conserve mineral resources?

ANSWER Minerals took millions of years to form and concentrate, but the rate of replenishment is infinitely small compared to the rate of consumption. They are therefore finite and non-renewable, and continued extraction raises costs and lowers quality. So we must conserve them by recycling, using scrap and substitutes, and using low-grade ores at low cost for future generations.

3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

(i) Describe the distribution of coal in India.

ANSWER In India, coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel and occurs in rock series of two main geological ages — Gondwana coal (a little over 200 million years old) and tertiary coal (about 55 million years old). The major resources of Gondwana coal, which is metallurgical coal, are located in the Damodar valley (West Bengal–Jharkhand). Jharia, Raniganj and Bokaro are important coalfields. The Godavari, Mahanadi, Son and Wardha valleys also contain coal deposits. Tertiary coals occur in the north-eastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Coal is a bulky material that loses weight on use as it is reduced to ash; hence heavy industries and thermal power stations are located on or near the coalfields.

(ii) Why do you think that solar energy has a bright future in India?

ANSWER Solar energy has a bright future in India for several reasons: 1. Tropical location: India is a tropical country and receives abundant sunlight throughout the year, giving it enormous possibilities of tapping solar energy. 2. Clean and renewable: Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity; solar energy is pollution-free and renewable, unlike fossil fuels which cause serious environmental problems and are running out. 3. Useful in rural and remote areas: Solar energy is fast becoming popular in rural and remote areas, and big solar plants will minimise the dependence of rural households on firewood and dung cakes. 4. Environmental and agricultural benefits: This in turn contributes to environmental conservation and ensures an adequate supply of manure in agriculture, making solar energy both sustainable and economical for India’s future.

Note: The chapter also includes an Activity (a crossword to fill in the names of minerals). The answers across are: 1. Manganese, 2. Limestone, 3. Magnetite, 4. Anthracite, 5. Bauxite, 6. Copper, 7. Potash; and down are: 1. Gold, 2. Hematite, 3. Mica, 4. Tertiary, 5. Tin. These are solved here for completeness and need not be reproduced in an exam answer.

Extra Practice Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. What is an ore?

ANSWERAn ore is an accumulation of any mineral mixed with other elements. The mineral content of the ore must be in a sufficient concentration to make its extraction commercially viable; the type of formation determines the ease and cost of mining the ore.

Q2. Why is magnetite considered the finest iron ore?

ANSWERMagnetite is the finest iron ore because it has a very high iron content of up to 70 per cent. It also has excellent magnetic qualities, which make it especially valuable in the electrical industry.

Q3. Name the major petroleum production areas in India.

ANSWERMumbai High, Gujarat and Assam are the major petroleum production areas in India. Ankleshwar is the most important field of Gujarat, while Digboi, Naharkatiya and Moran-Hugrijan are important oil fields of Assam, the oldest oil-producing state.

Q4. What is rat-hole mining?

ANSWERIn the tribal areas of north-east India, minerals are owned by individuals or communities. In Meghalaya, coal is mined by family members through long, narrow tunnels known as ‘rat holes’. The National Green Tribunal has declared such activities illegal.

Q5. State two hazards of mining.

ANSWER(i) The dust and noxious fumes inhaled by miners make them vulnerable to pulmonary diseases, and there is a constant threat of collapsing mine roofs, inundation and fires. (ii) Mining contaminates water sources and dumping of waste degrades land, soil and increases river pollution.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Describe the major iron-ore belts of India.

ANSWERIndia has four major iron-ore belts. (1) The Odisha–Jharkhand belt: in Odisha, high-grade hematite is found in the Badampahar mines of Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts; in the Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, hematite is mined at Gua and Noamundi. (2) The Durg–Bastar–Chandrapur belt in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra has very high-grade hematites in the famous Bailadila range (14 deposits of super high-grade ore), exported to Japan and South Korea via Vishakhapatnam port. (3) The Ballari–Chitradurga–Chikkamagaluru–Tumakuru belt in Karnataka has large reserves; the Kudremukh mines in the Western Ghats are a 100% export unit, transporting ore as slurry by pipeline to a port near Mangaluru. (4) The Maharashtra–Goa belt includes Goa and Ratnagiri district; though the ore is not of very high quality, it is efficiently exploited and exported through Marmagao port.

Q2. Distinguish between conventional and non-conventional sources of energy, giving examples of each.

ANSWEREnergy resources can be classified as conventional and non-conventional. Conventional sources are those that have been in use for a long time. They include firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity (both hydel and thermal). Firewood and cattle dung cake are most common in rural India, meeting over 70 per cent of rural energy needs, but most conventional sources are fossil fuels which are non-renewable and cause environmental pollution. Non-conventional sources are renewable and largely eco-friendly. They include solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, biogas and atomic (nuclear) energy. India is blessed with abundant sunlight, water, wind and biomass and has the largest programmes for developing these resources. Because fossil fuels are running out and polluting, there is a pressing need to shift to non-conventional, renewable energy sources for sustainable development.

Q3. How can mineral resources be conserved? Why is conservation necessary?

ANSWERMineral conservation is necessary because the total volume of workable mineral deposits is only about one per cent of the earth’s crust. Minerals required millions of years to form, but the rate of replenishment is infinitely small compared with the present rate of consumption, making them finite and non-renewable. Continued extraction also raises costs as ore comes from greater depths and quality declines. Therefore, a concerted effort must be made to use mineral resources in a planned and sustainable manner. Improved technologies need to be evolved constantly to allow the use of low-grade ores at low costs. Recycling of metals, using scrap metals and finding other substitutes are important steps in conserving our mineral resources. These rich but short-lived possessions must be used wisely so that they remain available for future generations.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. Which iron ore has the highest iron content (up to 70%)?

(a) Hematite    (b) Magnetite    (c) Limonite    (d) Siderite

2. Gold, silver, tin and platinum are most important among which type of deposits?

(a) veins    (b) lodes    (c) placer deposits    (d) sedimentary beds

3. The Bailadila range, famous for super high-grade iron ore, lies in:

(a) Odisha    (b) Karnataka    (c) Chhattisgarh    (d) Goa

4. Approximately how much manganese is required to manufacture one tonne of steel?

(a) 1 kg    (b) 10 kg    (c) 100 kg    (d) 50 kg

5. The Khetri mines of Rajasthan are famous for which mineral?

(a) bauxite    (b) mica    (c) copper    (d) iron ore

6. Which of the following is the basic raw material for the cement industry?

(a) mica    (b) limestone    (c) bauxite    (d) manganese

7. The principal lignite reserves used to generate electricity are located at:

(a) Jharia    (b) Raniganj    (c) Neyveli    (d) Bokaro

8. The largest wind farm cluster in India stretches from Nagarcoil to:

(a) Madurai    (b) Chennai    (c) Jaisalmer    (d) Mangaluru

9. Which is the highest quality hard coal?

(a) peat    (b) lignite    (c) bituminous    (d) anthracite

10. The Panchpatmali deposits in Koraput district are important deposits of which mineral?

(a) copper    (b) bauxite    (c) iron ore    (d) mica

Answer key: 1-(b), 2-(c), 3-(c), 4-(b), 5-(c), 6-(b), 7-(c), 8-(a), 9-(d), 10-(b).

For each Assertion–Reason question, choose: (A) Both true and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion; (B) Both true but the Reason is not the correct explanation; (C) Assertion true, Reason false; (D) Assertion false, Reason true.

A-R 1. Assertion: Mineral resources are finite and non-renewable.

Reason: Minerals took millions of years to form and their rate of replenishment is infinitely small compared to the rate of consumption.

A-R 2. Assertion: Heavy industries and thermal power stations are located near coalfields.

Reason: Coal is a bulky material that loses weight on use as it is reduced to ash.

A-R 3. Assertion: Solar energy has a bright future in India.

Reason: India is a tropical country with enormous possibilities of tapping solar energy.

A-R 4. Assertion: Bauxite is formed in igneous rocks through cooling of magma.

Reason: Bauxite is formed by the decomposition of rocks rich in aluminium silicates, leaving a residual mass of weathered material.

A-R 5. Assertion: Non-conventional sources of energy are being promoted in India.

Reason: Fossil fuels are running out and their use causes serious environmental problems.

Answer key: 1-(A), 2-(A), 3-(A), 4-(D), 5-(A).

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

How to score full marks in this chapter

Memorise the modes of occurrence of minerals (veins/lodes, beds/strata, decomposition, placer deposits, ocean waters) with one example each. Learn the four iron-ore belts and their states and ports, and the leading producers of copper, bauxite, mica and limestone. For energy, be clear on the conventional vs non-conventional classification, the two geological ages and locations of coal, and the petroleum/natural gas areas (Mumbai High, Gujarat, Assam, KG basin). Use exact place names — Kudremukh, Bailadila, Khetri, Balaghat, Koderma, Neyveli, Nagarcoil — to show you have studied the chapter, and always link conservation to minerals being finite and non-renewable.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing magnetite (finest, up to 70% iron, magnetic) with hematite (most used industrially, 50–60% iron).
  • Calling bauxite an igneous mineral — it forms by decomposition of aluminium-rich rocks (weathering).
  • Mixing up ferrous (iron ore, manganese) with non-ferrous (copper, bauxite, lead, zinc, gold) minerals.
  • Placing the Bailadila range in Karnataka — it is in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
  • Listing nuclear/atomic energy as conventional — it is a non-conventional source.
  • Forgetting that Gondwana coal is older (200+ million years) and metallurgical, while tertiary coal (55 million years) is found in the north-east.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chapter 5 of Class 10 Geography (Contemporary India II) about?

Chapter 5, Minerals and Energy Resources, explains what a mineral is and its modes of occurrence, the distribution of ferrous, non-ferrous, non-metallic and rock minerals in India, the hazards of mining, the conservation of minerals, and India’s conventional and non-conventional energy resources.

What is the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals?

Ferrous minerals contain iron and form the base of metallurgical industries, such as iron ore and manganese. Non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron and include copper, bauxite, lead, zinc and gold, which are used in metallurgical, engineering and electrical industries.

How many exercise questions are there in Class 10 Geography Chapter 5?

The end-of-chapter Exercises contain a set of 4 multiple choice questions, four 30-word questions (Q2) and two 120-word questions (Q3), plus an Activity (crossword). All are solved step by step on this page.

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