With reference to India, consider the following statements : 1. Monazite is a source of rare earths. 2. Monazite contains thorium. 3. Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India. 4. In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only ✓ UPSC's answer
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Why the answer is (b)

• Monazite is a phosphate mineral found in beach placer sands that contains rare-earth elements (cerium, lanthanum, neodymium) and 8–10% thorium — statements 1 and 2 are correct.

• Statement 4 is correct: because of its thorium content monazite is a 'prescribed substance' under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962; only Government bodies such as Indian Rare Earths Ltd may process or export it.

• Statement 3 is wrong: monazite occurs in specific coastal tracts — Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh — not along the entire Indian coastline.

• Thorium from monazite underpins the third stage of India's nuclear programme.

• Hence 1, 2 and 4 only, option (b).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only: Statement 3 is wrong: monazite is not found along the entire coast; statement 4 is correct.
(c) 3 and 4 only: Statements 1 and 2 are also correct.
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4: Statement 3 is wrong, so all four cannot be correct.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2022, held on 5 June 2022. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.