Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Nearly 10 kg of manganese is required to manufacture one tonne of steel. This relatively small quantity means manganese does not need to be located immediately next to the steel plant — it can be economically transported. However, proximity to manganese-producing regions is still preferred to reduce costs.

Major manganese-producing states include Madhya Pradesh (33%), Maharashtra (27%), Odisha (16%), and Karnataka (12%). Steel plants are often located in regions where iron ore, coal, and manganese are all available nearby — such as in Odisha and Jharkhand — ensuring an integrated and cost-efficient supply of raw materials.

Source: Ferrous Minerals, Chapter 5 (Contemporary India II)

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• The key fact examiners look for: 10 kg per tonne — state this first.
• Then link it to location: small quantity = transportable, but proximity still preferred.
• Name at least 2–3 specific states with their percentage shares from the data given.
• Mention the overlap with iron ore regions (Odisha/Jharkhand) to show the "correlation" concept the chapter hints at.
• Do not write about manganese's other uses (bleaching powder, etc.) — not relevant here.