Defence
Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh is known for:
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Answer: Option C — Geothermal energy
Detailed Solution
Geothermal energy is the heat energy stored inside the Earth. The temperature inside the Earth rises with depth, by about 1°C for every 32 metres (or about 25-30°C per kilometre) on average. In some places, the hot rocks, magma or hot water lie close to the surface, especially in areas of volcanic activity, geological faults or along plate boundaries. Ground water in these areas gets heated and comes out as hot springs or geysers. This heat can be used for heating buildings or for generating electricity by using the steam to turn turbines.
Manikaran is a small town in the Parvati valley of the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, on the banks of the Parvati river. It is famous for its natural hot springs, where the water comes out at very high temperatures, close to boiling. It is also a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Sikhs. The gurdwara at Manikaran uses the hot water from the springs to cook food for the langar (community kitchen) and to heat its premises. An experimental geothermal power plant was set up at Manikaran in the 1990s.
Puga valley in Ladakh is another important geothermal site in India. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been developing a geothermal power project in the Puga valley, which could be India's first geothermal power plant.
The Geological Survey of India has identified more than 300 hot springs across the country. Important geothermal regions include the Himalayas, the west coast (Cambay graben in Gujarat), the Son-Narmada-Tapi belt and the Godavari basin. However, geothermal energy is still not commercially developed in India. India released its first National Policy for Geothermal Energy in 2025. Iceland, the USA, Indonesia, the Philippines and New Zealand are leading users of geothermal energy.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Tidal energy potential in India is in the Gulf of Khambhat, the Gulf of Kutch and the Sundarbans.
- ✗Solar energy: Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan is one of the largest in the world.
- ✗Wind energy: Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are leading states; Muppandal in Tamil Nadu is a major wind farm.
Quick tip
Remember: Geothermal = Manikaran (Himachal) and Puga valley (Ladakh, ONGC project); tidal = Gulf of Khambhat and Kutch; solar = Bhadla (Rajasthan); wind = Muppandal (Tamil Nadu).
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Minerals & Energy Resources — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Minerals & Energy Resources, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers India's mineral resources (iron ore, manganese, bauxite, copper, mica and others) and energy resources (coal, petroleum, natural gas, nuclear power and renewable energy), with their main producing regions, mines, oil fields and power plants. Questions often ask where a mineral is found, which state is the leading producer, or where an important power plant or oil field is located. For example, Jharia is known for coal, Digboi in Assam is the oldest oil field in India, and Tarapur in Maharashtra is the site of India's first nuclear power plant. Practise the minerals and energy resources questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.