India’s National Critical Mineral Mission: Building Processing Capacity to Secure Strategic Minerals
India’s National Critical Mineral Mission (2023‑2026) aims to secure supplies of essential minerals by boosting exploration, processing capacity and overseas acquisitions, addressing the current reliance on China for high‑purity products. Strengthening processing, strategic stockpiles and international partnerships is crucial for India’s energy transition, defence and industrial growth, making mineral security a key UPSC topic.
Overview India’s transition to clean energy, advanced manufacturing and defence depends heavily on Critical minerals . While the country has sizable reserves of cobalt, copper, graphite and nickel, it still imports most of the high‑purity products such as lithium chemicals and rare‑earth oxides. The dominance of China in processing makes India vulnerable to supply shocks. Key Developments (2023‑2026) 2023: Government identified 30 Critical minerals and launched the National Critical Mineral Mission . 2024: China processed >90% of rare‑earths and graphite, ~75% of cobalt and 70% of lithium chemicals. 2025: EU introduced the EU Critical Raw Materials Act with caps on single‑country dependence. 2026 (May): India‑U.S. framework on critical minerals signed, opening diplomatic channels for supply diversification. 2026‑27 Budget: Proposed rare‑earth corridors in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Important Facts & Figures Top‑three refining countries hold 86% of global market share for copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare‑earths (2024). India’s reserves: cobalt 44.9 Mt , copper 163.9 Mt , graphite 211.6 Mt , nickel 189 Mt . Projected cumulative demand for critical energy‑transition minerals by 2070: 169 million tonnes – 51% higher than current‑policy pathway. Potential copper shortfall of 30% by 2035 if pipeline projects do not materialise. Recycling could meet up to 25% of copper and graphite demand by mid‑century. UPSC Relevance The topic cuts across multiple GS papers. GS‑3 (Economy) requires understanding of supply‑chain security, st
Quick Reference
Key Insight
India’s Critical Mineral Mission aims to secure strategic minerals and cut China dependence.
Key Facts
- 2023: Government ने 30 critical minerals की पहचान की और National Critical Mineral Mission शुरू किया।
- 2024: China rare‑earths और ग्रेफाइट का 90% से अधिक, कोबाल्ट का लगभग 75% और लिथियम chemicals का 70% प्रसंस्करण करता है।
- 2025: EU ने Critical Raw Materials Act पारित किया, जिसमें घरेलू निष्कर्षण और प्रसंस्करण के लिए 2030 लक्ष्य निर्धारित किए गए।
- May 2026: India और United States ने critical mineral आपूर्ति श्रृंखलाओं पर सहयोग के लिए एक फ्रेमवर्क पर हस्ताक्षर किए।
- 2026‑27 Budget ने Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh और Tamil Nadu में rare‑earth प्रसंस्करण कॉरिडोर प्रस्तावित किए हैं।
- India’s के भंडार: cobalt 44.9 Mt, copper 163.9 Mt, ग्रेफाइट 211.6 Mt, nickel 189 Mt।
- शीर्ष तीन शोधन देशों के पास copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, ग्रेफाइट और rare‑earths के लिए 86% वैश्विक बाजार हिस्सेदारी है।
Background
Critical minerals are essential for clean energy, defence and high‑tech industries. India has large ore reserves but lacks processing capacity, making it vulnerable to supply shocks, especially from China. The Mission seeks to build a full value chain from mining to high‑purity products.
UPSC Syllabus
- GS1 — Distribution of Key Natural Resources
- Prelims_GS — National Current Affairs
- GS3 — Government Budgeting
- GS3 — Infrastructure - Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways
- GS2 — Effect of policies of developed and developing countries on India
- GS2 — Government policies and interventions for development
- Prelims_GS — Environmental Issues and Climate Change
- Essay — Economy, Development and Inequality
- GS3 — Cyber security and communication networks in internal security
- Essay — Science, Technology and Society
Mains Angle
GS‑3 (Economy) – discuss how the Mission can strengthen India’s industrial policy and reduce strategic vulnerability. Possible question: "Evaluate the role of the National Critical Mineral Mission in achieving energy security and defence preparedness."