INDUSTRIES AND MINERALS OF INDIA — DISTRIBUTION, IMPORTANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

INDUSTRIES AND MINERALS OF INDIA — DISTRIBUTION, IMPORTANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

1. Importance of Industry

• Industry converts raw materials into useful goods and is a major component of economic development.
• Industrialisation promotes employment, productivity, technological progress, exports, infrastructure and higher incomes.
• NCERT notes that manufacturing adds value to raw materials and supports the modernisation of agriculture and other sectors. (NCERT)

2. Classification of Industries

• Industries may be classified by size as cottage, small, medium and large-scale industries.
• On the basis of raw material, they may be agro-based, mineral-based, marine-based or forest-based.
• They may also be grouped into basic industries, consumer industries and capital-goods industries.
• Small and medium enterprises are particularly important for decentralised employment and entrepreneurship.

3. Major Industries of India

• Important industries include iron and steel, textiles, automobiles, cement, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, food processing, electronics and information technology.
• Cotton textiles are concentrated in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while iron and steel plants developed close to coal and iron-ore belts in eastern and central India.
• The IT industry has major centres such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai and the National Capital Region.

4. Iron and Steel Industry

• Iron and steel is considered a basic or core industry because its products are essential for construction, machinery, transport and infrastructure.
• India produced about 144.3 million tonnes of crude steel in 2023–24, according to the Ministry of Steel. (Steel Authority of India Limited)
• The sector depends heavily on iron ore, coking coal, limestone, power, transport and markets.

5. Meaning and Types of Minerals