Assertion (A): Mineral based industry forms the backbone of industrial development.

Reason (R): It provides raw material for industrial and consumer goods as well as infrastructure.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation — Mineral based industries, like Iron and Steel industry, forms the backbone of industrial development as they provide raw material for industrial and consumer goods as well as infrastructure.