India's major coal reserves are concentrated in the eastern states, particularly Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, which host large coalfields such as Jharia, Raniganj, and Talcher.

These eastern coalfields formed in Gondwana-age sedimentary basins, making the eastern states the historical and current core of India's coal mining industry.

Coal reserves are not concentrated in southern coastal regions, bauxite is mainly found in the Eastern Ghats and central plateau states like Odisha and Chhattisgarh rather than the northeast, and iron ore deposits are concentrated in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region, not the Northern Plains.

Therefore, the correct resource distribution pattern is that major coal reserves are located in the eastern states.