Resources (Water, Mineral, Energy) for UPSC Prelims
1. Introduction to India’s Resources
India’s natural resources—water, minerals, and energy—are critical for its economic growth, industrial development, and sustenance of 1.4 billion people. Water resources support agriculture and domestic needs, minerals drive industrial production, and energy powers infrastructure and urbanization. Their uneven distribution and management challenges make them a key topic for UPSC Prelims, intersecting with geography, economy, and environmental sustainability. Understanding their availability, utilization, and conservation is essential for grasping India’s developmental dynamics.
Key Facts
- Water Resources: ~4% of global freshwater, 18% of world population
- Mineral Resources: India ranks 4th globally in coal, 5th in iron ore
- Energy Resources: 5th largest energy consumer, 7% renewable share
- Significance: Resources contribute ~30% to India’s GDP
Important Facts for UPSC
- India’s per capita water availability is 1,545 cubic meters, below global average.
- India is self-sufficient in coal but imports 80% of its crude oil.
- Renewable energy capacity reached 150 GW in 2024, 40% of total power.
2. Water Resources: Availability and Distribution
Overview
Water resources in India include surface water (rivers, lakes) and groundwater, vital for agriculture, industry, and domestic use.
Sources
- Surface Water: Rivers (e.g., Ganga, Brahmaputra) contribute 1,869 BCM annually.
- Groundwater: ~432 BCM annually, heavily used for irrigation.
- Rainfall: Monsoon provides ~4,000 BCM, but 80% occurs in June–September.
Distribution
- High Availability: Northeast (Brahmaputra basin), Western Ghats.
- Low Availability: Rajasthan, Deccan Plateau, parts of Gujarat.
Important Facts for UPSC
- Ganga-Brahmaputra basin holds 60% of India’s surface water.
- 80% of India’s water is used for irrigation, highest globally.
- India faces ‘water stress’ with per capita availability below 1,700 cubic meters.
3. Mineral Resources: Types and Distribution
Overview
India is endowed with diverse mineral resources, supporting industries like steel, cement, and power generation.
Major Minerals
| Mineral |
Major States |
Uses |
| Iron Ore |
Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh |
Steel production |
| Coal |
Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh |
Power generation, industry |
| Bauxite |
Odisha, Gujarat, Jharkhand |
Aluminum production |
| Manganese |
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha |
Steel alloys |
| Mica |
Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh |
Electrical insulation |
Distribution
- Peninsular Plateau: Rich in metallic minerals (iron, coal, bauxite).
- Himalayas: Limited minerals, some limestone, copper.
- Coastal Areas: Monazite (thorium) in Kerala, Tamil Nadu.
Important Facts for UPSC
- Odisha produces 50% of India’s iron ore, key for steel industry.
- India has 10% of global coal reserves, 4th largest globally.
- Monazite sands in Kerala are vital for nuclear energy.
4. Energy Resources: Conventional and Non-Conventional
Overview
Energy resources power India’s economy, with a mix of conventional (fossil fuels) and non-conventional (renewables) sources.
Conventional Sources
- Coal: 55% of energy mix, major reserves in Jharkhand, Odisha.
- Petroleum: Imported 80%, offshore fields in Mumbai High.
- Natural Gas: Krishna-Godavari basin, 6% of energy mix.
- Hydropower: 12% of power, mainly in Himalayas (e.g., Bhakra).
Non-Conventional Sources
- Solar: 70 GW capacity, highest in Rajasthan, Gujarat.
- Wind: 45 GW, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat lead.
- Biomass: 10 GW, from agricultural waste in Punjab, UP.
- Nuclear: 7 GW, plants in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra.
Important Facts for UPSC
- India is 3rd largest coal producer, but imports 20% for quality.
- Solar capacity grew 10x from 2014–2024 under National Solar Mission.
- Nuclear power contributes 2% of electricity, with 22 reactors.
5. Distribution Patterns of Resources
Water Resources
- Abundant: Northeast (60% of surface water), Western Ghats.
- Scarce: Arid Rajasthan, rain-shadow Deccan.
Mineral Resources
- Concentrated: Chota Nagpur Plateau (coal, iron), Eastern Ghats (bauxite).
- Sparse: Gangetic Plains, Western Himalayas.
Energy Resources
- Fossil Fuels: Eastern India (coal), Western offshore (oil).
- Renewables: Western India (solar, wind), Himalayas (hydro).
Important Facts for UPSC
- Chota Nagpur Plateau is India’s “mineral heartland,” with 40% of reserves.
- Rajasthan has 25% of India’s solar capacity, ideal due to high insolation.
- Ganga basin supports 40% of India’s irrigated agriculture.
6. Utilization and Economic Significance
Water Resources
- Agriculture: 80% of water used for irrigation, supporting 300 million tonnes of food grains.
- Industry: 10% for manufacturing, power plants.
- Domestic: 10% for drinking, urban supply.
Mineral Resources
- Steel Industry: Iron ore, manganese drive production (120 MT steel annually).
- Power Generation: Coal fuels 55% of electricity.
- Exports: Iron ore, bauxite contribute ₹50,000 crore annually.
Energy Resources
- Electricity: 1,600 GW installed capacity, 40% from renewables.
- Transport: Petroleum fuels 95% of vehicles.
- Rural Energy: Biomass supports 20% of rural households.
Important Facts for UPSC
- Irrigation supports 75% of India’s food grain production.
- Steel industry employs 2.5 million, driven by Odisha’s iron ore.
- India aims for 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030.
7. Challenges in Resource Management
Water Resources
- Scarcity: Per capita availability dropped 70% since 1950.
- Pollution: 70% of rivers contaminated (e.g., Ganga).
- Over-Extraction: Groundwater depleted in Punjab, Haryana.
Mineral Resources
- Environmental Degradation: Mining causes deforestation, pollution.
- Illegal Mining: Impacts 10% of mineral output in states like Goa.
- Resource Depletion: High-grade iron ore reserves declining.
Energy Resources
- Import Dependence: 80% oil, 20% coal imported, costing ₹10 lakh crore.
- Pollution: Coal plants contribute 40% of CO2 emissions.
- Infrastructure Gaps: 10% of rural areas lack reliable power.
Important Facts for UPSC
- 21 Indian cities face ‘Day Zero’ water crisis by 2030 (e.g., Chennai).
- Mining in Jharkhand displaced 1 million people since 1990.
- India’s oil import bill rose 50% from 2015–2024 due to global prices.
8. Government Initiatives and Policies
Water Resources
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan (2019): Promotes water conservation, rainwater harvesting.
- Namami Gange (2014): ₹20,000 crore for Ganga cleanup.
- National River Linking Project: Aims to transfer surplus water to deficit areas.
Mineral Resources
- National Mineral Policy (2019): Promotes sustainable mining, transparency.
- MMDR Act (2015): Regulates mining leases, reduces illegal mining.
- District Mineral Foundation: Funds local development in mining areas.
Energy Resources
- National Solar Mission (2010): Targets 100 GW solar by 2022, extended to 2030.
- PM Ujjwala Yojana (2016): Provides LPG to 100 million rural households.
- International Solar Alliance (2015): Co-founded by India for global solar adoption.
Important Facts for UPSC
- Namami Gange reduced Ganga’s pollution by 30% by 2024.
- MMDR Act increased mining revenue by 20% through auctions.
- India achieved 70% rural electrification under Saubhagya Yojana by 2019.
9. Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts
Socioeconomic Impacts
- Economic Growth: Resources contribute 30% to GDP, employ 50 million.
- Rural Development: Water, energy access boost agriculture, livelihoods.
- Industrialization: Minerals, energy support steel, cement, power sectors.
Environmental Impacts
- Degradation: Mining deforested 1.5 million hectares since 1980.
- Pollution: Coal plants, river contamination harm ecosystems.
- Climate Change: Fossil fuels contribute 70% of India’s emissions.
Important Facts for UPSC
- Water scarcity affects 600 million Indians annually.
- Coal mining in Jharkhand pollutes 20% of local water sources.
- Renewables saved 50 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2023.
10. Significance for Geography
Geographical Significance
Resources reflect India’s diverse geology, climate, and topography, shaping regional economies.
Environmental Significance
Sustainable resource management is critical to mitigate pollution, depletion, and climate impacts.
Socioeconomic Significance
Resources drive industrialization, agriculture, and energy security, requiring balanced policies.
UPSC Relevance
Water, mineral, and energy resources are core topics in Indian geography, tested for their distribution, utilization, and challenges.
Important Facts for UPSC
- India has 12 major river basins, critical for water resource planning.
- Chota Nagpur Plateau supplies 80% of India’s coal and iron ore.
- National Energy Policy, 2017, targets 40% non-fossil energy by 2030.
UPSC Preparation Tips
- Memorize major resources, their distribution, and key states (e.g., coal in Jharkhand).
- Understand water availability, mineral types, and energy mix (conventional vs. renewable).
- Focus on challenges like water scarcity, mining pollution, and oil imports.
- Link resources to economic sectors (agriculture, industry, power).
- Practice map-based questions on resource-rich regions (e.g., Chota Nagpur, Ganga basin).
- Revise key terms (groundwater depletion, monazite, renewable energy) and policies (Namami Gange, Solar Mission).