NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Geography Chapter 5 Mineral and Energy Resources

1. Choose the right answers:

i. Major oil fields are located in:

• (a) Assam
• (b) Bihar
• (c) Rajasthan
• (d) Tamil Nadu

Answer: (a) Assam

ii. The first atomic power station was started at:

• (a) Kalpakkam
• (b) Narora
• (c) Rana Pratap Sagar
• (d) Tarapur

Answer: (d) Tarapur

iii. Which is a non-renewable source of energy?

• (a) Hydel
• (b) Solar
• (c) Thermal
• (d) Wind Power

Answer: (c) Thermal

2. Answer the following in about 30 words:

i. Give an account of the distribution of mica in India.

Answer: The main mica belt in India runs through the lower Hazaribagh plateau of Jharkhand. Andhra Pradesh (Nellore district) and Telangana are significant producers. Rajasthan's Jaipur–Bhilwara–Udaipur belt, Karnataka (Mysuru and Hassan districts), as well as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh also yield mica.

ii. What is nuclear power? Mention important nuclear power stations in India.

Answer: Nuclear power is generated by using radioactive minerals like uranium and thorium to produce electricity. Major nuclear power stations in India include Tarapur (Maharashtra), Rawatbhata (Rajasthan), Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu), Narora (Uttar Pradesh), Kaiga (Karnataka), and Kakrapar (Gujarat).

iii. Name non-ferrous metals. Discuss their spatial distribution.

Answer: Non-ferrous metals include copper and bauxite. Copper is mainly found in Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh), and Jhunjhunu and Alwar (Rajasthan). Bauxite is chiefly in Odisha (Kalahandi, Koraput), Jharkhand (Lohardaga), Gujarat (Bhavnagar, Jamnagar), Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh (Amarkantak plateau).

iv. What are non-conventional sources of energy?

Answer: Non-conventional sources of energy are renewable and eco-friendly. These include solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, tidal, and biomass energy. They are sustainable and more widely distributed compared to conventional sources and help reduce environmental pollution.

3. Answer the following in about 150 words:

i. Write a detailed note on Petroleum resources of India.

Answer: Petroleum, a valuable energy resource, is mainly found in the sedimentary basins of Assam, Gujarat, Mumbai High (offshore), and the Krishna-Godavari and Kaveri basins. Assam’s fields at Digboi, Naharkatiya, and Moran have long been significant, producing oil since colonial times.

Gujarat’s Ankaleshwar, Kalol, Mehsana, and Nawagam are crucial contributors. Mumbai High, discovered in 1973, is India's largest offshore oil field and a vital source of crude. Oil refineries process petroleum both at the field (e.g., Digboi) and nearer consumption centers (e.g., Barauni).

Besides energy, petroleum by-products include lubricants, wax, fertilizers, and synthetic fibers. Despite efforts, India imports considerable crude oil due to rising demand. The government is also encouraging exploration in new sedimentary areas to augment production. Petroleum plays a key role in transportation, industries, and agriculture, powering the nation's progress.

ii. Write an essay on hydel power in India.

Answer: Hydel power, or hydroelectric power, harnesses the energy of flowing water to generate electricity. India has immense hydropower potential due to its vast network of perennial rivers and hilly regions. Major projects are located in river basins such as the Himalayas (Brahmaputra, Ganga), Western and Eastern Ghats, and other river systems.

States like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu are significant producers. While hydel power is renewable and environment-friendly, its development is constrained by geographical and technical challenges such as site selection, environmental concerns, and displacement issues.

However, it remains crucial for meeting India’s growing energy needs sustainably. Small-scale projects are also encouraged for decentralized rural electrification. Overall, hydel power contributes significantly toward reducing dependence on fossil fuels and promoting clean energy.

Mastering Mineral and Energy Resources with NCERT Solutions

Understanding Mineral and Energy Resources Class 12 is essential for CBSE Geography exams. With NCERT Solutions 2025-26, students can systematically revise all key concepts, improving retention and streamlining their exam preparation.

This chapter helps students easily identify distribution patterns, resource types, and strategies for sustainable use. For scoring high, master the differences between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals, and always revise the classification tables and resource belts in India.

Regular practice of chapter-wise exercise solutions builds strong conceptual clarity. Review each topic, including non-conventional energy sources and conservation tips, for confident and thorough exam readiness.