by Q. Consider the following pairs:
UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims) 2025 – General Studies Paper I
Country | Resource-rich in |
I. Botswana | Diamond |
II. Chile | Lithium |
III. Indonesia | Nickel |
How many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None
Answer: (c) All the three
Explanation:
I. Botswana – Diamond:
This pair is correct. Botswana is one of the world’s leading producers of diamonds, both in terms of value and volume. Diamond mining, led by the Debswana partnership, forms the backbone of Botswana’s economy, contributing significantly to government revenue, exports, and national development.
II. Chile – Lithium:
This pair is correct. Chile possesses the largest proven lithium reserves in the world and is a major global producer. It forms part of the “Lithium Triangle”—along with Argentina and Bolivia—a region that holds a substantial share of the world’s lithium resources, crucial for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage.
III. Indonesia – Nickel:
This pair is correct. Indonesia has the world’s largest nickel reserves and is the largest global producer of nickel. Nickel is a critical mineral for stainless steel and lithium-ion battery production, and Indonesia plays a central role in global supply chains for clean energy technologies.
Answer: (c) All the three
