📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I | Q.89 | Classroom Explanation
(Polity & Governance | Federalism | Mineral Regulation)

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📌 Question

Q.89)
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?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

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✅ Correct Answer: (d)

Statement I is not correct, but Statement II is correct

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This is a high-value federalism + statutory powers question based on the MMDR Act, 1957. UPSC is testing division of powers between Centre and States, not geography.

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🔍 Statement-wise Analysis

🔹 Statement I — Incorrect ❌

“State Governments have no power to make rules for minor minerals.”

🚫 This is factually wrong.

📜 Legal Basis

• Section 15(1) of the MMDR Act, 1957:
  • Empowers State Governments to:
    • Make rules for grant of mineral concessions
    • Specifically for minor minerals
    • Within their respective territories

📌 Examples of Minor Minerals

• Sand
• Gravel
• Ordinary clay
• Building stone

🧠 UPSC Trap

“Located in State territory” ≠ “Centre controls everything”

➡️ Statement I is NOT correct

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🔹 Statement II — Correct ✅

“Central Government can notify minor minerals.”

✔️ This is constitutionally and statutorily correct.

📜 Legal Basis

• Section 3(e) of the MMDR Act, 1957
  • Authorises the Central Government
  • To notify any mineral as a ‘minor mineral’
  • Through official notification

📌 Why this matters

• Classification power lies with Centre
• Regulatory power (concessions) lies with States

➡️ Statement II is correct

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🧠 Key Conceptual Clarity (Exam Gold)

Function	Authority
Notifying minor minerals	Central Government
Grant of concessions for minor minerals	State Governments

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🧠 One-Line Memory Hook

“Centre classifies minor minerals, States regulate them.”

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📍 GS Mapping

Statutory Bodies & Acts

GS Paper II Mains

Federalism

Centre–State Relations

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