Consider the following statements:Statement I: In India, State Governments have no power for making

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UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2025 UPSC Prelims Indian Polity & Governance paper.

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Question

Consider the following statements:Statement I: In India, State Governments have no power for making rules for grant of concessions in respect of extraction of minor minerals even though such minerals are located in their territories.Statement II: In India, the Central Government has the power to notify minor minerals under the relevant law.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: D — Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correctStep-by-step Solution:Statement I — State Governments have no power to make rules for concessions on minor minerals: This is incorrect. Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), Section 15 specifically empowers State Governments to make rules for granting quarry leases, mining leases, and other mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals. Minor minerals (such as sand, gravel, ordinary clay, limestone used for lime burning, etc.) are specifically placed under State Government jurisdiction for rule-making and concession-granting purposes. The State Governments have substantial power over minor minerals within their territories. ✗Statement II — Central Government has the power to notify minor minerals: This is correct. Under Section 3(e) of the MMDR Act, 1957, the definition of 'minor minerals' includes building materials such as ordinary clay, limestone used for lime burning, sand, gravel, ordinary clay, and such other minerals as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare to be minor minerals. Thus, the Central Government has the power to designate (notify) additional minerals as 'minor minerals' through gazette notifications, even though the administration of minor minerals (grants, concessions, etc.) is left to State Governments. ✓Why other options are incorrect:Option A: Incorrect. Statement I is incorrect — States DO have power over minor mineral concessions.Option B: Incorrect. Statement I is incorrect.Option C: Incorrect. Statement I is incorrect, and Statement II is correct — not vice versa.Key Concept: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act): Classification of Minerals: Major minerals (e.g., coal, iron ore, gold, diamond, copper) — Central Government jurisdiction; Minor minerals (e.g., sand, gravel, ordinary clay, building stone) — State Government jurisdiction for concession-granting. However: Central Government notifies what counts as 'minor mineral'. State Governments: Make rules for minor mineral concessions (quarry leases) under Section 15; Grant mining leases for minor minerals. MMDR Amendment 2023: Central Government now has exclusive auction rights for 'critical minerals' (different category from minor minerals). Sand mining: A key minor mineral issue — illegal sand mining has caused significant environmental and law enforcement concerns in India. Sand is the most extracted solid material globally.

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More Questions from Centre-State Relations – Legislative, Administrative & Financial

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More Questions from Centre-State Relations – Legislative, Administrative & Financial

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