RAS question
Steatite (Soapstone) in Rajasthan is found in:
Correct answer: (C) Udaipur and Dungarpur.
In Rajasthan, steatite, also called soapstone, is found in Udaipur and Dungarpur.
Explanation
Steatite is the compact, high-grade form of talc, while soapstone is a soft talcose rock; the IBM yearbook treats talc, soapstone and steatite together for mineral reporting. The Indian Minerals Yearbook 2013 identifies Rajasthan as the hub of talc activity in India and lists steatite mine locations in Udaipur and Dungarpur among principal producers. Udaipur and Dungarpur are the standard RAS location pair for steatite in Rajasthan. The mineral is also used in cosmetics, ceramics and traditional crafts, which makes its district-wise distribution important in Rajasthan geography.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Jaipur and Alwar do not match the Udaipur-Dungarpur location pair supported by the IBM yearbook; Jaipur appears as a producer address in the Indian Minerals Yearbook 2013, not as a steatite mine location paired with Alwar.
- (B) Kota and Bundi are not the soapstone districts in the IBM mine-location listing; Udaipur and Dungarpur are the relevant Rajasthan locations for steatite.
- (D) Barmer and Jalore are not the districts paired with steatite in Rajasthan's standard mineral-distribution fact; Udaipur and Dungarpur are the accepted pair.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan's mineral distribution, especially district-wise locations of economically useful non-metallic minerals. Such facts recur in RAS because mineral geography links physical resources with local industry and craft use.