Consider the following statements : 1. In India, State Governments do not have the power to auction non-coal mines. 2. Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand do not have gold mines. 3. Rajasthan has iron ore mines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Statement 3 is correct because Rajasthan possesses significant iron ore deposits in regions such as Morija-Banol and Neemla-Raisalo. Statement 1 is a common misconception but is incorrect because the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, specifically empowered State Governments to auction non-coal mines to increase transparency in the mining sector. The core concept tested is the geographical distribution of metallic minerals and the legislative framework governing India's federal mining rights.