RAS question
Which state has the largest reserves of lignite (brown coal) in India?
Correct answer: (D) Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu has the largest lignite, or brown coal, reserves in India.
Explanation
Tamil Nadu is the right answer because the Ministry of Coal's state-wise lignite resource table places Tamilnadu far ahead of the other listed states, with 37.597 billion tonnes out of India's 47.36 billion tonnes of geological lignite resource as of 1 April 2023. The major concentration is at Neyveli in Cuddalore district, where NLC India Limited operates large open-cast lignite mines. Rajasthan and Gujarat are important lignite-bearing states, but their reserves are much smaller than Tamil Nadu's. Jharkhand is associated with India's coalfields, but lignite is distinct from bituminous coal.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Rajasthan has significant lignite, especially around Barmer, but the Ministry of Coal's state-wise lignite resource table puts Rajasthan below Tamil Nadu.
- (B) Gujarat has lignite in Kutch, but the state-wise lignite resource figures place Gujarat behind Tamil Nadu.
- (C) Jharkhand is important for bituminous coal, whereas Tamil Nadu leads India in lignite reserves.
Concept
The distribution of mineral resources in Indian geography requires a clear distinction between ordinary coalfields and lignite fields. Rajasthan appears as a tempting RAS option due to Barmer lignite, but the national maximum is Tamil Nadu.