Mineral Producing States in India: Quick Answer
Odisha is India's mineral capital — it produces about 43–44% of the country's mineral value, 100% of its chromite, ~74% of its bauxite and ~55% of its iron ore (FY 2024-25). But the crown changes mineral by mineral: Odisha also leads coal now, Rajasthan leads limestone, lead-zinc and silver, Madhya Pradesh leads copper, manganese and diamonds, Karnataka leads gold, Andhra Pradesh leads mica and Chhattisgarh is the only tin producer. As of 7 November 2026, all figures below are FY 2024-25 unless stated otherwise.
🔥 Key Exam Takeaway: The single most-tested distinction in this note is production vs reserves. Jharkhand holds the largest coal RESERVES but Odisha leads coal PRODUCTION (269.36 mt, FY 2024-25). Odisha holds the largest manganese RESERVES but ranks 3rd in manganese PRODUCTION. Bihar holds the largest gold ore RESERVES but produces almost no gold. Whenever a question asks "largest producer", answer with production — and whenever it asks "largest reserves", stop and switch to the reserves answer.
India produces about 95 minerals — 4 fuel, 10 metallic, 23 non-metallic, 3 atomic and 55 minor minerals — and seven to eight states account for about 97–98% of the value of major mineral production. The governing law is the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act); exploration is done by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and statistics are compiled by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM, established 1948, headquartered at Nagpur, under the Ministry of Mines).
How to Read This Note (Production vs Reserves vs Value)
Three different rankings appear in exam questions, and they give three different answers. Production is how much was mined in a year, in tonnes — this note's main table. Reserves are how much is still in the ground — a different question with different leaders, flagged wherever the two diverge. Value is the rupee worth of all minerals produced in a state — Odisha leads by value (43.49% in FY 2024-25) because it produces the expensive metallic minerals in bulk. A state can lead on value while trailing on a single mineral, and vice versa: Rajasthan is only 2nd by value but leads limestone, lead-zinc, silver, gypsum and marble outright.
Two more warnings. First, attach the year: the coal leader flipped to Odisha only in recent years, and several figures below are 2023-24 because the Indian Bureau of Mines publishes state splits with a lag — the year is stated on every row. Second, watch the qualifier on petroleum: Rajasthan is the largest ONSHORE producer, Gujarat is cited as the leading STATE producer in some keys, and Mumbai High (offshore Maharashtra) is the single largest producing REGION. A bare "largest producer of petroleum" question has no single clean answer — the note teaches the qualifier instead of picking one side.
Latest Changes in Mineral Rankings 2025–26 (with Dates)
These are the developments most likely to be asked in SSC and bank exams this year.
| Change | What happened | Date / data year |
|---|---|---|
| Coal flip | Odisha is now India's largest coal-producing state — 269.36 mt in FY 2024-25 (Coal Directory of India 2024-25, Ministry of Coal), ahead of Jharkhand (206.19 mt) and Chhattisgarh (204.95 mt). In FY 2023-24 the order was already Odisha (239.40 mt) > Chhattisgarh (207.26 mt) > Jharkhand (191.16 mt). Total national coal production crossed 1 billion tonnes for the first time: 1,047.57 mt in FY 2024-25. | FY 2024-25, Ministry of Coal |
| MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 | The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 (No. 20 of 2026) was introduced 10 Aug 2026, passed by the Lok Sabha on 12 Aug, the Rajya Sabha on 13 Aug, received Presidential assent on 17 Aug 2026 and came into force on 22 Aug 2026. New Section 9D bars States from imposing any tax, cess or levy on mineral rights or mineral-bearing lands except as the Centre prescribes; unpaid pre-amendment levies are deemed invalid (amounts already collected are not refunded). It reverses the Supreme Court's 2024 nine-judge ruling in Mineral Area Development Authority v. SAIL (royalty is not a tax; States may tax mineral rights under Entries 49–50, State List). As of 7 Nov 2026, Jharkhand's government has approved a Supreme Court challenge, a joint petition for Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala has been announced, and Odisha has raised objections — no final court outcome yet. | Aug 2026, Gazette (Ministry of Mines) |
| Record auctions | India auctioned a record 212 mineral blocks in FY 2025-26, including 22 critical/strategic blocks; the 8th tranche (15 Jul 2026) offered 20 critical mineral blocks across nine states; as of Jul 2026, 56 of 88 unique critical mineral blocks offered had been auctioned. | FY 2025-26, Ministry of Mines |
| Iron ore | National production 277.83 mt in FY 2024-25 (Ministry of Mines), Odisha ~55%; calendar-2025 output reached 296 mt (+4.6% YoY) — Odisha 152 mt, Chhattisgarh 50 mt, Karnataka 48 mt. | FY 2024-25 / calendar 2025 |
| Bauxite | National production 24.22 mt in FY 2024-25 (+1.25% YoY); Odisha ~74%. | FY 2024-25, Ministry of Mines |
| Manganese | National output 3.38 mt in 2023-24, provisional 3.80 mt in 2024-25 (IBM). State split for 2024-25 not yet published — the 2023-24 joint-leader split is used in the table. | 2023-24 / 2024-25 prov., IBM |
| Gold | Hutti Gold Mines (Karnataka) produced 1,606.29 kg in FY 2024-25; Karnataka ~91% of India's gold ore output. Kolar Gold Fields remain closed (since 2001) — reports of pre-commercial trials at Kolar in 2026 do not make it a producing mine; do not present Kolar as producing until a production figure exists. | FY 2024-25, IBM / HGML |
Mineral Producing States in India — Complete Table (FY 2024-25)
Top state, 2nd and 3rd states, with the top state's production and year. "Figure held" means the top state is convergent across sources but no verified tonnage was available — the state name is the exam answer, the number is not stated rather than guessed.
| # | Mineral | Top state | 2nd state | Top-state production (year) | 3rd state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coal | Odisha | Jharkhand (206.19 mt) | 269.36 mt (FY 2024-25, Coal Directory / Ministry of Coal) | Chhattisgarh (204.95 mt) |
| 2 | Iron ore | Odisha | Chhattisgarh (figure held for FY25) | ~155 mt, ~55% (FY 2024-25); India 277.83 mt | Karnataka (figure held for FY25) |
| 3 | Bauxite | Odisha | 2nd held (candidates: Gujarat / Chhattisgarh) | ~17.9 mt, ~74% (FY 2024-25, computed from 74% × 24.22 mt); India 24.22 mt | 3rd held |
| 4 | Chromite | Odisha | — (sole producer in practice) | 100% of national production (FY 2024-25) | — |
| 5 | Manganese ore | Madhya Pradesh | Maharashtra (tied 30.55% in 2023-24) | ~31% share (2023-24, IBM); 2024-25 state split held; India 3.80 mt prov. (2024-25) | Odisha (19.25% in 2023-24) |
| 6 | Copper ore | Madhya Pradesh | Rajasthan (figure held) | figure held — see conflict note below | Jharkhand (figure held) |
| 7 | Gold (ore) | Karnataka | Andhra Pradesh (51,715 t ore) | 642,302 t ore, ~91% (FY 2024-25, IBM); primary gold ~1.6 t, HGML 1,606 kg | Jharkhand (8,958 t ore) |
| 8 | Limestone | Rajasthan | Madhya Pradesh (13.8%) | 103.64 mt, 22.9% (2023-24, Rajasthan Dept. of Mines & Geology); IBM 2021-22: 22% share | Andhra Pradesh (13.5%) |
| 9 | Mica (crude) | Andhra Pradesh | Rajasthan (figure held) | ~72% share (IBM 2018 report basis — dated, current-year share held) | Jharkhand (figure held) |
| 10 | Diamond | Madhya Pradesh | — (only producing state) | figure held (Panna mines, sole producer) | — |
| 11 | Lead & zinc | Rajasthan | 2nd held | figure held (Zawar, Rampura Agucha; Hindustan Zinc) | 3rd held |
| 12 | Silver | Rajasthan | 2nd held | figure held (by-product of lead-zinc smelting, Zawar) | 3rd held |
| 13 | Crude oil (onshore) | Rajasthan | Gujarat (4.6–4.9 MMT, reported) | 4.8–5.1 MMT, ~20–25% of domestic crude (reported figures, 2025-26 — see conflict note below) | Assam (4.0–4.2 MMT, reported) |
| 14 | Tin | Chhattisgarh | — (only producing state) | figure held | — |
| 15 | Nickel | Odisha | — (sole producer) | figure held (Sukinda valley) | — |
| 16 | Gypsum | Rajasthan | 2nd held | figure held | 3rd held |
| 17 | Marble | Rajasthan | 2nd held | figure held | 3rd held |
| 18 | Kyanite | Jharkhand† | 2nd held | figure held (single source — flag at drafting) | — |
† Kyanite #1 (Jharkhand) rests on a single secondary source — treat it as reported, not confirmed; do not quote a kyanite tonnage from this note.
Conflicts in the mineral rankings — read, don't smooth over
| Mineral | What circulates | What this note uses |
|---|---|---|
| Coal #1 | Jharkhand (old GK), Chhattisgarh (some older rankings), Odisha | Odisha, FY 2024-25: 269.36 mt (Coal Directory), consistent with the FY24 order (Odisha 239.40 > Chhattisgarh 207.26 > Jharkhand 191.16). The Jharkhand answer survives only as RESERVES — largest geological coal resources (exact figure held; no number quoted). One social-media infographic of 3 Nov 2026 ("Odisha 200.99, MP 176.52, Maharashtra 122.32...") matches no published year and is not trusted. |
| Copper #1 | Madhya Pradesh (Malanjkhand) vs Rajasthan (Khetri) — one Testbook page marks each correct | MP for copper ORE production (NCERT tradition); Rajasthan's claim rests on the Khetri belt and smelting/refining (metal, not ore). State the ore-vs-metal distinction; do not present Rajasthan as the ore leader. |
| Manganese #1 | MP vs Odisha (one Testbook page; an old Vedantu page says Odisha "largest manufacturer, 37%") | Production = MP/Maharashtra joint leaders, 30.55% each (2023-24, IBM); Odisha 3rd at 19.25%. Reserves = Odisha (44% older inventory, 34% newer UNFC table — state the range). Do NOT call Odisha the largest manganese producer. |
| Bauxite share | Odisha ~74% (Ministry of Mines, FY 2024-25) vs 72.7% (a Testbook survey Q&A) | ~74%; footnote 72.7% as an alternate survey figure. India's total 24.22 mt is convergent. The bauxite RESERVE order is held — one page claims Andhra Pradesh holds the largest bauxite reserves; do not assert it. |
| Iron ore total | 277.83 mt (Ministry of Mines) vs ~289 mt "provisional" (a secondary compilation) | 277.83 mt as the Ministry figure; footnote the ~289 mt provisional total. Odisha's share (~55%, ~155 mt) is convergent. |
| Limestone #1 | Rajasthan (convergent) vs Madhya Pradesh (one Testbook Q&A page) | Rajasthan (IBM Yearbook 2022: 22%; Rajasthan Dept. of Mines 2023-24: 103.64 mt, 22.9%). The Testbook page is wrong — it confuses limestone with MP's cement-hub districts Katni/Satna. Flagged here as a competitor flaw; do not reproduce it. |
| Mica | Andhra Pradesh #1 (~72% share, Nellore belt) | Andhra Pradesh, but the ~72% share rests on the IBM 2018 report — eight years old. The ranking is stable; the current-year share is held. Trap: Koderma (Jharkhand) is the "Mica Capital of India" but Jharkhand is NOT the largest producing state. |
| Crude oil | Rajasthan (onshore) vs Gujarat (state-key) vs Mumbai High (offshore region) | All three framings, with qualifiers: Rajasthan is the largest ONSHORE producer (~20–25%, Barmer-Sanchor, Mangala/Bhagyam/Aishwariya); Gujarat is cited as the leading STATE producer in some keys (onshore + near-shore offshore attributed to the state); Mumbai High (offshore Maharashtra) is the single largest producing REGION. The 4.8–5.1 / 4.6–4.9 / 4.0–4.2 MMT state figures come from a single secondary set (Mar 2026) — reported, not official. One popular page lists Rajasthan 23.7% / Gujarat 12.5% / Assam 12.1% and then concludes "Assam is the largest" — internally contradictory; flagged as a competitor flaw, not cited. |
| Gold reserves vs production | Bihar (largest gold ore reserves, ~43–44%, Jamui) vs Karnataka (production) | Keep them in separate sentences: Bihar holds the largest gold ORE RESERVES but produces almost no gold; Karnataka produces ~91–97% of India's primary gold (Hutti). By METAL content the reserve order is Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand. |
| Value shares | FY 2024-25 set (Odisha 43.49%, Rajasthan 16.26%, Chhattisgarh 13.69%, Karnataka 12.42%) vs GKToday's set (Odisha 44.11%, Chhattisgarh 17.34%, Rajasthan 14.10%, Karnataka 13.24%, total 97.04%) | Use the FY 2024-25 labelled set in the value table; note GKToday's as an alternative-year figure (different year/basis, 2nd/3rd swapped), not an error. Never mix the two sets in one table. |
Mineral Production Value by State (FY 2024-25)
Share of national mineral production value, Ministry of Mines via ICICI Direct infographic; 8 states = 97.80% of national mineral value.
| Rank | State | Share of mineral production value (FY 2024-25) | Key minerals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Odisha | 43.49% | Iron ore, bauxite, chromite, manganese, coal |
| 2 | Rajasthan | 16.26% | Limestone, lead-zinc, silver, gypsum, marble |
| 3 | Chhattisgarh | 13.69% | Coal, iron ore, limestone, tin, dolomite |
| 4 | Karnataka | 12.42% | Iron ore, gold, limestone, manganese |
| 5 | Maharashtra | 4.76% | Coal, manganese, bauxite |
| 6 | Jharkhand | 3.26% | Coal, iron ore, copper, mica |
| 7 | Madhya Pradesh | 2.78% | Copper, manganese, diamond, limestone |
Mineral Producing States: Records and Unique Facts
| Record | Answer |
|---|---|
| Only state leading four headline minerals | Odisha — coal, iron ore, bauxite, chromite — and 100% of India's chromite; Sukinda (Jajpur district) alone holds ~98% of chromite reserves |
| Mineral value growth | Odisha: ₹30,044 crore (2020-21) → ₹64,785 crore (2024-25) |
| Largest mechanised iron-ore complex | Bailadila (Chhattisgarh) |
| Largest iron-ore reserve area | Chiria (Jharkhand) |
| Asia's largest coal mine (open-cast) | Gevra (Chhattisgarh) |
| Major coking-coal field | Jharia (Jharkhand); Dhanbad is the "Coal Capital of India" |
| India's oldest coalfield | Raniganj (West Bengal) — mining since 1774 |
| India's only major operating gold mine | Hutti (Raichur, Karnataka), since 1947; Kolar Gold Fields (closed 2001) were once among the world's deepest mines (~3.2 km) |
| India's only diamond-producing district | Panna (Madhya Pradesh); MP is the sole diamond-producing state |
| Largest silver-producing mine area | Zawar (Rajasthan); Rampura Agucha (Rajasthan) is one of the world's largest zinc mines |
| India's oldest oil refinery/field | Digboi (Assam), 1889; Mangala (Rajasthan, Barmer) is India's largest onshore oil field |
| World rankings | India is the world's largest producer of mica (and its largest exporter, ~60% exported); 2nd largest producer of coal (after China) and 4th largest of iron ore (after Australia, Brazil, China) |
One-line facts that are asked in exams
- Odisha's "100-74-55": chromite 100%, bauxite ~74%, iron ore ~55% — one line that covers three questions.
- Coal "O-J-C": Odisha (269.36) > Jharkhand (206.19) > Chhattisgarh (204.95) in FY 2024-25 — "coal moved east to Odisha; Jharkhand keeps the reserves."
- Rajasthan is the non-metallic king: limestone, lead-zinc, silver, gypsum, marble — five rows, one state.
- MP mines the middle: manganese, copper, diamond — all three from Madhya Pradesh.
- Karnataka's gold is 91% — Hutti, not Kolar: Kolar closed in 2001; current production is Hutti (Raichur).
- Mica trap in one line: production in Andhra Pradesh (Nellore belt), nickname in Jharkhand (Koderma, the "Mica Capital").
- Three "only" facts, three different states: tin only Chhattisgarh; diamond only Madhya Pradesh; chromite only Odisha.
- Mumbai High is offshore: petroleum's biggest source isn't a state at all — it's the sea off Maharashtra.
Common Mistakes in Mineral Questions (Exam Traps)
- "Jharkhand = largest coal producer" — stale. Jharkhand = largest coal RESERVES; Odisha = largest coal PRODUCTION (FY 2024-25, 269.36 mt). Production is not reserves — the single most-tested distinction in this note.
- "Odisha = largest manganese producer" — false. Odisha holds the largest manganese RESERVES (44%/34% by inventory) but ranks 3rd in production; MP and Maharashtra jointly lead production (30.55% each, 2023-24).
- "Madhya Pradesh = largest limestone producer" — false (one Testbook page says this). Rajasthan leads limestone (~22–23%); MP is 2nd.
- "Rajasthan = largest copper producer" — contested; MP leads copper ORE (Malanjkhand). Rajasthan leads in the Khetri belt/refining story. State the ore/metal distinction.
- "Koderma = mica capital, so Jharkhand = largest mica producer" — false. Koderma is the mica capital, but Andhra Pradesh (Nellore belt) is the largest producing state (~72%).
- "Kolar = largest gold producer" — Kolar closed in 2001. Current production is Hutti (Raichur, Karnataka). Also: Bihar has the largest gold RESERVES but ~no production.
- "Jharkhand = largest mineral-producing state overall" — false by VALUE (Odisha 43.49%, FY25) and by most individual minerals. Jharkhand is the "mining capital" by variety and history, not by output.
- "Andhra Pradesh has the largest bauxite reserves" — one page asserts this while also saying Odisha produces the most bauxite. Reserves vs production again; the bauxite-reserve order is held — do not assert it in this note.
- "Gujarat = largest petroleum producer" vs "Rajasthan = largest petroleum producer" — both appear in keys because the question is usually asked without the onshore/offshore qualifier. The note teaches the qualifier; it does not pick a side.
- "Chhattisgarh = largest coal producer" — was briefly true in some datasets, but FY24/FY25 official data put it 3rd (204.95 mt), behind Odisha and Jharkhand.
- Chromite: Odisha = 100% of production. Any option naming another state as the chromite leader is wrong by definition.
- Diamond: only Madhya Pradesh (Panna). Any "Chhattisgarh = diamond" option (one Testbook table) is wrong.
How to Remember Mineral Producing States (Study Method)
- Learn "Odisha 100-74-55" first: chromite 100%, bauxite ~74%, iron ore ~55%. "100-74-55, Odisha's mineral spree."
- Learn "Odisha OBC + Coal": Odisha = Ore (iron), Bauxite, Chromite — plus coal now.
- Learn "Coal O-J-C": Odisha > Jharkhand > Chhattisgarh (269-206-205).
- Learn "Rajasthan R-L-Z-S": Rajasthan = Limestone, Lead-Zinc, Silver (+ Gypsum, Marble). "Rajasthan is the non-metallic king."
- Learn "MP M-C-D": MP = Manganese, Copper, Diamond. "MP mines the middle."
- Learn "Karnataka Gold 91": "Karnataka's gold is 91% — Hutti, not Kolar."
- Learn the three "only" facts together: tin only Chhattisgarh; diamond only MP; chromite only Odisha.
- Learn "Reserves ≠ Production" as a trio: Jharkhand coal, Odisha manganese, Bihar gold — the three reserve-leaders that don't lead production.
- Learn the value table's top four in order: Odisha 43.49, Rajasthan 16.26, Chhattisgarh 13.69, Karnataka 12.42 — "43-16-14-12".
- Learn the MMDR 2026 dates as a run: introduced 10 Aug, Lok Sabha 12 Aug, Rajya Sabha 13 Aug, assent 17 Aug — "10-12-13-17".
Mineral Producing States in India MCQs with Answers
Q1. Which state is the largest producer of coal in India in FY 2024-25? (a) Jharkhand (b) Chhattisgarh (c) Odisha (d) Madhya Pradesh Answer: (c) Odisha (269.36 mt); Jharkhand is 2nd (206.19 mt), Chhattisgarh 3rd (204.95 mt). Jharkhand still holds the largest coal reserves.
Q2. Which state produces the most iron ore in India, and what is its share? (a) Chhattisgarh, ~30% (b) Odisha, ~55% (c) Karnataka, ~25% (d) Jharkhand, ~20% Answer: (b) Odisha, ~55% (~155 mt in FY 2024-25); Chhattisgarh is 2nd. India's total was 277.83 mt.
Q3. Which state is the largest producer of bauxite and chromite in India? (a) Jharkhand (b) Chhattisgarh (c) Odisha (d) Madhya Pradesh Answer: (c) Odisha for both — ~74% of bauxite and 100% of chromite (FY 2024-25).
Q4. Which state is the largest producer of manganese ore in India? (a) Odisha (b) Madhya Pradesh (c) Karnataka (d) Andhra Pradesh Answer: (b) Madhya Pradesh (joint leader with Maharashtra at 30.55% each in 2023-24); Odisha holds the largest reserves but ranks 3rd in production.
Q5. Which state is the largest producer of gold in India? (a) Bihar (b) Jharkhand (c) Karnataka (d) Andhra Pradesh Answer: (c) Karnataka (~91% of gold ore output in FY 2024-25; Hutti mine, Raichur; primary gold ~1.6 t). Kolar closed in 2001; Bihar holds the largest gold ore reserves but produces almost no gold.
Q6. Which state is the largest producer of limestone in India? (a) Madhya Pradesh (b) Rajasthan (c) Andhra Pradesh (d) Chhattisgarh Answer: (b) Rajasthan (103.64 mt, 22.9% in 2023-24); Madhya Pradesh is 2nd (13.8%).
Q7. Which state is the largest producer of mica in India? (a) Jharkhand (b) Rajasthan (c) Andhra Pradesh (d) Bihar Answer: (c) Andhra Pradesh (~72% share, Nellore belt); Koderma in Jharkhand is the "Mica Capital" but Jharkhand is not the top producer. Note: the ~72% share rests on the IBM 2018 report, so the current-year share is held.
Q8. Which is the only diamond-producing state in India? (a) Chhattisgarh (b) Jharkhand (c) Madhya Pradesh (d) Odisha Answer: (c) Madhya Pradesh (Panna mines).
Q9. Which state leads India in lead, zinc and silver production? (a) Jharkhand (b) Rajasthan (c) Madhya Pradesh (d) Karnataka Answer: (b) Rajasthan (Zawar, Rampura Agucha; silver is a by-product of lead-zinc smelting).
Q10. Which state is the largest onshore producer of crude oil in India? (a) Assam (b) Gujarat (c) Rajasthan (d) Maharashtra Answer: (c) Rajasthan (Barmer-Sanchor basin, ~20–25% of domestic crude); Mumbai High (offshore) is the single largest producing region overall.
Mineral Producing States in India FAQs
Which is the largest mineral-producing state in India by value?
Odisha — 43.49% of national mineral production value in FY 2024-25, ahead of Rajasthan (16.26%), Chhattisgarh (13.69%) and Karnataka (12.42%). Eight states together account for 97.80% of mineral value.
Which state is the largest producer of coal — Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh or Odisha?
Odisha on production (269.36 mt in FY 2024-25), Jharkhand on reserves. The old "Jharkhand is the largest coal producer" answer is stale: Jharkhand is 2nd on production (206.19 mt) and Chhattisgarh 3rd (204.95 mt). Always check whether the question asks for production or reserves.
Which state produces the most iron ore, bauxite and chromite?
Odisha produces the most of all three: iron ore ~55% (~155 mt), bauxite ~74% (~17.9 mt) and chromite 100% of national production, all in FY 2024-25. Sukinda in Jajpur district alone holds about 98% of India's chromite reserves.
Why is Odisha called the mineral capital of India?
Because it leads four headline minerals (coal, iron ore, bauxite, chromite), holds 100% of chromite production, and accounts for 43.49% of India's mineral production value in FY 2024-25 — more than the next three states combined. Its mineral production value rose from ₹30,044 crore (2020-21) to ₹64,785 crore (2024-25).
Which state is the largest producer of gold, and why is Kolar no longer the answer?
Karnataka — about 91% of India's gold ore output in FY 2024-25, from the Hutti mine in Raichur district (1,606.29 kg in FY 2024-25). Kolar Gold Fields closed in 2001 and, despite 2026 reports of pre-commercial trials, have no production figure — so Kolar is a history answer, not a production answer.
Which state leads in copper production — Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan?
Madhya Pradesh leads copper ORE production (Malanjkhand mine). Rajasthan's claim rests on the Khetri belt and its smelting/refining presence — copper metal, not ore. Exam keys split on this question precisely because the ore/metal distinction is usually left out; state the distinction and answer MP for ore.
What did the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 change, and why are States challenging it?
The Act (assented 17 Aug 2026, in force 22 Aug 2026) inserted Section 9D, which bars States from imposing any tax, cess or levy on mineral rights or mineral-bearing lands except as the Centre prescribes, and deems unpaid pre-amendment levies invalid (amounts already collected are not refunded). It reverses the Supreme Court's July 2024 nine-judge ruling in Mineral Area Development Authority v. SAIL, which had held that royalty is not a tax and States may tax mineral rights under Entries 49–50 of the State List. Mineral-rich States say it takes away a taxing power the Court had just confirmed: as of 7 Nov 2026, Jharkhand's government has approved a Supreme Court challenge, a joint petition for Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala has been announced, and Odisha has raised objections.
Related topics: revise Types of Soil in India, Indian Rivers Origin and End List, Major Ports in India List, National Waterways in India List, Nuclear Power Plants in India List, First in India List, States and Capitals of India 2026 and Static GK for SSC CGL next. Also see Thermal Power Plants in India: State-wise List, Largest, Capacity (2026). Also see Steel Plants in India: State-wise List, Largest, Public vs Private (2026).
Practice Next
- Test yourself: SSC CGL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 01
- More GA practice: SSC CGL General Awareness Mock Test 1
- Quick drill: SSC CGL General Awareness Mini Mock Test 01
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- Geography practice: RRB NTPC Geography Mock Test 01
- More free notes: All Study Notes
Sources: Ministry of Coal, Coal Directory of India 2024-25 (state-wise production; national total 1,047.57 mt); Ministry of Mines / Indian Bureau of Mines (FY 2024-25 iron ore 277.83 mt, bauxite 24.22 mt, manganese 2023-24 state split and 2024-25 provisional national total, gold ore by state, limestone IBM Yearbook 2022; mica share IBM 2018 report); Rajasthan Department of Mines and Geology (limestone 103.64 mt, 22.9%, 2023-24); Ministry of Mines Gazette for the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 (No. 20 of 2026; Section 9D); Ministry of Mines via ICICI Direct (FY 2024-25 mineral-value shares); Hutti Gold Mines Ltd (1,606.29 kg, FY 2024-25). Challenge status checked against secondary reporting on 7 November 2026. As of 7 November 2026.