📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I | Q.79 | Classroom Explanation
(Geography | Resources & Economic Geography)

📌 Question

Q.79)
Consider the following pairs :

In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None

✅ Correct Answer: (c) All the three

🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This question tests static geography + current affairs linkage.
All three country–resource pairs are globally established and UPSC-standard.

🔍 Row-wise Verification (High-Yield)

🔹 I. Botswana — Diamond ✅

• Botswana is among the world’s top diamond producers
• Diamonds contribute:
  • ~30% of GDP
  • ~80% of export earnings
• Major mines:
  • Jwaneng (one of the richest diamond mines globally)
• Recent CA:
  • Discovery of one of the largest rough diamonds (~2,492 carats) by Lucara Diamond

📌 UPSC Angle:
Resource-led growth + Africa mineral economy

🔹 II. Chile — Lithium ✅

• Part of the famous “Lithium Triangle”:
  • Chile
  • Bolivia
  • Argentina
• Chile is:
  • 2nd largest producer of lithium
  • World’s largest copper producer
• Lithium is critical for:
  • EV batteries
  • Energy storage
  • Renewable transition

📌 UPSC Angle:
Energy transition minerals + South America

🔹 III. Indonesia — Nickel ✅

• Indonesia has:
  • Largest nickel reserves globally (~30%)
  • World’s largest nickel production
• Strategic importance:
  • Stainless steel
  • EV battery supply chains
• CA linkage:
  • Export bans on raw nickel
  • Push for downstream processing
• India linkage:
  • KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd.) exploring overseas minerals

📌 UPSC Angle:
Critical minerals + geopolitics + industrial policy

🧠 One-Line Memory Hook (Prelims Gold)

“Diamonds in Botswana, Lithium in Chile, Nickel in Indonesia — all three shine in UPSC.”

📍 GS Mapping

Static + Current Affairs Integration

GS Paper I

Geography: Resources & World Distribution