____________ has the largest coal reserves in India.
2017
____________ has the largest coal reserves in India.
- A.
Chhattisgarh
- B.
Odisha
- C.
West Bengal
- D.
Jharkhand
Attempted by 5 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
A state's coal reserves are its total geological coal resources (in million tonnes, MT) explored and inventorised by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The state with the highest total inventorised resource holds the largest coal reserves — a different measure from coal PRODUCTION (annual output), where the ranking can differ, and one that can shift over time as fresh resources are proved or re-assessed.
Application
India's coal reserves are concentrated in the Jharkhand-Odisha-Chhattisgarh-West Bengal belt. Jharkhand holds the single largest share of the country's inventorised coal reserves — historically about a quarter of the national total — anchored by major coalfields such as Jharia (one of India's oldest and richest coalfields, prized for coking coal), Bokaro, and North Karanpura. This matches the officially keyed answer for this Coal India Management Trainee (Civil), 2017 question.
State | Reserve standing |
|---|---|
Jharkhand | Largest inventorised coal reserves; major coalfields: Jharia, Bokaro, North Karanpura |
Odisha | Second-largest reserves; major coalfields: Talcher, Ib Valley |
Chhattisgarh | Sizeable reserves; typically India's leading coal PRODUCER (e.g., Korba), but its reserve total ranks below the top two |
West Bengal | Much smaller reserve base; home to the historic Raniganj coalfield, India's oldest worked coalfield |
Cross-check / Contrast
Chhattisgarh's high production figures are sometimes mistaken for the largest reserves, but production and reserves are different measures. Odisha's reserves are substantial too, and more recent Geological Survey of India inventory updates (after this 2017 exam) have narrowed the gap and, in some later assessments, shown the ranking shift — but this question is a dated Coal India (Civil) 2017 PYQ, keyed to Jharkhand, consistent with both the officially recorded exam answer and the reserve standing at that time.