Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

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📍 The Question

With reference to India, consider the following statements:

1. Monazite is a source of rare earths.
2. Monazite contains thorium.
3. Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India.
4. In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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✅ Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only

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🎯 Theme of the Question

Indian Geography | Economic Geography | Mineral Resources | Atomic & Strategic Minerals

This question tests conceptual clarity on monazite, a strategic mineral repeatedly mentioned in policy, energy security, and rare earth debates.

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🧠 Classroom Explanation

🔹 Statement 1: Monazite is a source of rare earths ✅

Monazite is a phosphate mineral rich in Rare Earth Elements (REEs) such as:

• Cerium
• Lanthanum
• Neodymium

Hence, Statement 1 is correct.

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🔹 Statement 2: Monazite contains thorium ✅

Monazite contains thorium (Th), a naturally occurring radioactive element.

• Thorium is a strategic material for India’s three-stage nuclear programme
• Presence of thorium makes monazite a “prescribed substance”

Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

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🔹 Statement 3: Monazite occurs in the entire Indian coastal sands ❌

Monazite does not occur uniformly along the entire Indian coastline.

It is found mainly in beach sand placer deposits along specific stretches, notably:

• Kerala
• Tamil Nadu
• Odisha
• Andhra Pradesh

These deposits are localized, not continuous.

Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.

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🔹 Statement 4: Only Government bodies can process or export monazite in India ✅

Because monazite contains thorium (radioactive):

• It is regulated under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
• Processing and handling are restricted to government-controlled entities like
  Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL)
• Exploration and assessment are done by
  Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD)

Private entities cannot freely process or export monazite.

Hence, Statement 4 is correct.

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📊 Final Assessment

Statement	Status
1. Source of rare earths	✅
2. Contains thorium	✅
3. Found along entire coast	❌
4. Govt-only processing/export	✅

👉 Correct combination: 1, 2 and 4

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🧩 Memory Hook

“Monazite = REE + Thorium → Atomic control.”

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🧠 Prelims Strategy Insight

UPSC loves minerals where:

• Geography + Policy + Energy security intersect
• Watch words like “entire”, “only”, “all” — common traps

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🧭 IAS Monk Whisper

Some sands glitter not for beauty,
but for the power they quietly hold.