With reference to the mineral and energy resource distribution in peninsular India, which of the following geological formations contains the vast majority of India's metallurgical and thermal grade coal reserves?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Gondwana rock system, formed in ancient freshwater basins during the Carboniferous to Cretaceous periods, contains over ninety percent of India's total coal reserves, concentrated mainly along river valleys such as the Damodar, Mahanadi, Son, and Godavari. The Dharwar system is rich in metallic ores like iron, manganese, and gold. The Vindhyan system consists mainly of sedimentary rocks known for building stones, limestone, and diamond deposits. Tertiary coal deposits occur primarily in northeastern states and lignite deposits in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu.