by The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), launched in 2025, is India’s strategic initiative to secure long-term supplies of essential minerals critical for clean energy, electric vehicles, defense, and advanced technologies. As the world pivots toward low-carbon solutions, these minerals have emerged as the new frontier of geopolitics, making their control vital for national security and industrial growth. NCMM aims to strengthen domestic exploration, processing, recycling, and innovation, while also fostering global partnerships.
Key Takeaways
- The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), launched in 2025, is India’s strategic blueprint to secure domestic and global supply chains of critical minerals.
- NCMM aims to achieve 1,000 patents by 2030, and establish 7 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for research and innovation in mineral exploration and processing.
- A ₹1,500 crore incentive scheme under NCMM targets increased recycling of critical minerals, enhancing India’s supply chain resilience.
- The mission encompasses exploration, mining, processing, recycling, R&D, and workforce development, strengthening India’s industrial and technological independence.
Critical Minerals: The New Frontier of Geopolitics
As the world pivots to clean energy and advanced technologies, control over critical minerals has become the new frontier of geopolitics. Nations that secure these minerals position themselves as leaders in the emerging green economy.
In January 2025, India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), covering the period from 2024-25 to 2030-31, with a proposed expenditure of ₹16,300 crore and expected investment of ₹18,000 crore by PSUs and other stakeholders.
NCMM is not merely a mining programme—it is a strategic initiative to:
Ensure energy security
Drive industrial growth
Cement technological independence
From lithium powering electric vehicles to rare earth elements critical for defense systems, the mission casts a wide net to secure India’s mineral future.
Understanding Critical Minerals
Critical minerals are indispensable for economic development, national security, and the global transition to low-carbon energy systems. They are crucial for:
Clean energy technologies (solar, wind, EV batteries)
High-tech electronics
Telecommunications and transport
Defense applications
These minerals often face supply chain vulnerabilities, necessitating government intervention to secure them.
India’s 30 critical minerals (2023) include:
Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, PGE, Phosphorous, Potash, REE, Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium, and Cadmium.
Role of Critical Minerals in India’s Clean Energy Transition
Critical minerals form the backbone of India’s energy transition, powering technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems.
Solar Energy
Photovoltaic cells rely on silicon, tellurium, indium, and gallium.
India’s solar capacity of 64 GW depends heavily on these minerals to meet 2030 renewable energy targets.
Wind Power
Neodymium and dysprosium are essential for high-performance magnets in wind turbines.
India aims to expand wind power from 42 GW to 140 GW by 2030, significantly increasing demand for these minerals.
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
EV batteries use lithium, nickel, and cobalt to store energy.
Government targets 30% EV penetration by 2030, highlighting the need for secure mineral supplies.
Energy Storage
Lithium-ion systems ensure reliable integration of renewable energy.
Minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel are key to energy storage solutions and grid stability.
India’s Critical Mineral Roadmap under NCMM
The NCMM aims to establish India as a global player in the green economy through a robust legal and policy framework, anchored in amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act).
Key objectives of NCMM:
Secure domestic and international mineral sources
Strengthen value chains: exploration → mining → processing → recycling → R&D → HRD
Promote private and public sector investment in India and abroad
Components of NCMM
Pilot Projects for Unconventional Sources
₹100 crore allocated to explore non-traditional sources such as overburden, mine tailings, fly ash, and red mud.
Focus on converting industrial byproducts into strategic mineral resources.
Recycling Incentive Scheme
- ₹1,500 crore approved to enhance recycling capacity from secondary sources like e-waste, lithium-ion battery scrap, and end-of-life vehicle parts.
- Expected outcomes:
270 kilo ton annual recycling capacity
40 kilo ton of critical minerals
₹8,000 crore investments
70,000 jobs
Strategic Targets
- Launch over 1,000 projects for exploration of domestic reserves
- Promote patents, processing parks, and CoEs
- Develop skilled workforce and strategic reserves
India’s 30 critical minerals
India’s 30 critical minerals are essential for powering the nation’s clean energy transition, advanced technologies, and defense capabilities. These minerals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, and others, are strategically important due to limited domestic reserves and global supply vulnerabilities.
| S.No | Critical Mineral | Primary Uses | Global Supply Vulnerability / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antimony | Flame retardants, batteries, electronics | China dominates supply; import-dependent |
| 2 | Beryllium | Aerospace, defense, nuclear applications | Limited global producers; strategic mineral |
| 3 | Bismuth | Pharmaceuticals, alloys, low-toxicity substitute for lead | Few producers; supply sensitive |
| 4 | Cobalt | EV batteries, superalloys, aerospace | High concentration in DRC; price volatility |
| 5 | Copper | Electrical wiring, electronics, renewable energy | Global demand rising; supply constrained |
| 6 | Gallium | Semiconductors, LEDs, solar panels | Limited mining sources; high import dependence |
| 7 | Germanium | Fiber optics, infrared optics, solar cells | Rare; mainly China and USA production |
| 8 | Graphite | EV batteries, lubricants, refractories | Supply dominated by China; import critical |
| 9 | Hafnium | Nuclear reactors, aerospace alloys | Very scarce; few global producers |
| 10 | Indium | Touchscreens, semiconductors, solar panels | Highly dependent on zinc mining byproducts |
| 11 | Lithium | EV batteries, energy storage, aerospace | High demand surge; concentrated in Australia, Chile |
| 12 | Molybdenum | Steel alloys, aerospace, defense | Supply relatively stable but concentrated in few countries |
| 13 | Niobium | Superalloys, electronics | Brazil dominates production; strategic mineral |
| 14 | Nickel | EV batteries, stainless steel, aerospace | Growing EV demand; supply constrained |
| 15 | PGE (Platinum Group Elements) | Catalysts, electronics, jewelry | South Africa & Russia dominant; price volatility |
| 16 | Phosphorous | Fertilizers, chemicals | Vital for agriculture; global reserves limited |
| 17 | Potash | Fertilizers, chemical industry | Supply concentrated in Canada, Russia |
| 18 | REE (Rare Earth Elements) | EVs, wind turbines, defense electronics | China dominates; critical for tech independence |
| 19 | Rhenium | Jet engines, catalysts | Extremely rare; few suppliers |
| 20 | Silicon | Solar panels, electronics, semiconductors | Relatively abundant but high-purity silicon limited |
| 21 | Strontium | Electronics, pyrotechnics, ceramics | Limited global production |
| 22 | Tantalum | Electronics, capacitors, aerospace | Supply concentrated in DRC; conflict mineral concerns |
| 23 | Tellurium | Solar cells, thermoelectric devices | Scarce; mainly as a byproduct of copper refining |
| 24 | Tin | Electronics, solder, alloys | Global production concentrated in few countries |
| 25 | Titanium | Aerospace, defense, pigments | Supply stable; demand rising in aerospace |
| 26 | Tungsten | Cutting tools, military applications, electronics | China dominates supply; critical mineral |
| 27 | Vanadium | Steel alloys, batteries | Limited producers; China & Russia dominate |
| 28 | Zirconium | Nuclear reactors, ceramics, aerospace | Supply concentrated in few countries |
| 29 | Selenium | Electronics, solar cells, glass industry | Mainly byproduct of copper refining; supply risk exists |
| 30 | Cadmium | Batteries, pigments | Toxicity concerns; limited producers |
Mines of Innovation
NCMM aims to file 1,000 patents by FY 2030–31 to accelerate homegrown technology in mineral exploration, processing, and advanced applications.
Recent patent trends (2025):
- 21 patents filed in May, 41 in June
- 10 patents granted in two months
- Innovations include:
Ytterbium-doped metal oxide nanoparticles
Nickel vanadate thin films
Tungsten-polymer composite molds
Tantalum-doped NASICON solid-state electrolytes
Advanced anode materials for secondary batteries
These span lithium, nickel, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, ytterbium, and tantalum, crucial for clean energy, next-gen electronics, and defense.
Centres of Excellence (CoEs)
Seven premier institutions are designated as CoEs under NCMM:
IIT Bombay
IIT Hyderabad
IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
IIT Roorkee
CSIR–IMMT Bhubaneswar
CSIR–NML Jamshedpur
NFTDC Hyderabad
Role of CoEs:
Conduct cutting-edge R&D
Drive innovation in critical mineral exploration, extraction, and processing
Collaborate with industry and venture capital for commercialization
Strategic Importance for India
Critical minerals are the building blocks of a modern economy and central to India’s climate and industrial goals:
45% reduction in GDP emissions intensity by 2030 (from 2005 levels)
50% power from non-fossil sources by 2030
Net-zero emissions by 2070
The NCMM ensures a steady supply of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earths, enabling India to lead in clean energy, electric mobility, defense technologies, and global mineral supply chains.
Conclusion
The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) represents India’s strategic leap into the future, transforming scarcity into opportunity. By securing critical minerals, fostering innovation, promoting recycling, and building global partnerships, India positions itself at the center of the 21st-century green economy.
References:
Ministry of Mines, Government of India, NCMM Official Announcement, 2025
National Critical Mineral Mission Guidelines, April 2025
Union Cabinet Approvals, 2025
Press Information Bureau (PIB), India, 2025
UPSC MCQs: India’s Critical Mineral Mission
Q1. Under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), the central government has exclusive rights to auction how many out of India’s 30 identified critical minerals?
A) 24
B) 26
C) 28
D) 30
Answer: A) 24
Explanation: The NCMM framework, backed by amendments to the MMDR Act, gives the central government exclusive auctioning rights over 24 critical minerals to secure strategic supply chains.
Q2. Which of the following combinations of minerals are primarily obtained as by-products of other mining activities, making their supply chain sensitive?
Gallium
Indium
Tellurium
Lithium
Select the correct answer:
A) 1, 2, 3 only
B) 1, 2, 4 only
C) 2, 3, 4 only
D) All of the above
Answer: A) 1, 2, 3 only
Explanation: Gallium (from bauxite), Indium (from zinc), and Tellurium (from copper) are by-products. Lithium is mined directly from brines or spodumene, not as a by-product.
Q3. The NCMM has set a target to build recycling capacity of 270 kilo tons per year. If the total production of critical minerals from recycling is 40 kilo tons, what is the approximate recovery efficiency (%) of the system?
A) 10%
B) 15%
C) 20%
D) 25%
Answer: B) 15%
Explanation: Recovery efficiency = (Output / Capacity) × 100 = (40 / 270) × 100 ≈ 14.8%, rounded to 15%.
Q4. Which of the following minerals are strategically critical for India’s defense electronics and missile systems?
Hafnium
Rhenium
Tantalum
Potash
Select the correct answer:
A) 1, 2, 3 only
B) 1, 2, 4 only
C) 2, 3, 4 only
D) All of the above
Answer: A) 1, 2, 3 only
Explanation: Hafnium (nuclear and aerospace alloys), Rhenium (jet engines), and Tantalum (capacitors for defense electronics) are strategic. Potash is mainly for fertilizers.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding NCMM:
It aims to file 1,000 patents by 2030–31.
It focuses only on domestic mineral exploration and does not support foreign acquisitions.
It includes a ₹1,500 crore incentive scheme for recycling.
Which of the statements are correct?
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 1 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) All of the above
Answer: A) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: NCMM encourages foreign acquisitions to strengthen India’s global footprint. Statements 1 and 3 are correct.
Q6. Rare Earth Elements (REEs) under NCMM are essential for:
Permanent magnets in EVs and wind turbines
Solar photovoltaic cells
Defense electronic systems
Fertilizer production
Select the correct answer:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2, 3, 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 only
Answer: D) 1, 2, 3 only
Explanation: REEs are critical for magnets, solar panels, and defense electronics, but not for fertilizers.
Q7. Which of the following is not a source of lithium under India’s NCMM plans?
A) Spodumene deposits
B) Brines
C) Fly ash from thermal power plants
D) Lithium-ion battery scrap
Answer: C) Fly ash from thermal power plants
Explanation: Lithium is extracted from spodumene and brine deposits, and recycled from battery scrap, but not from fly ash.
Q8. The 7 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under NCMM include four IITs and three research laboratories. Which of the following combinations is correct?
A) IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Roorkee, IIT Delhi; CSIR–IMMT Bhubaneswar, CSIR–NML Jamshedpur, NFTDC Hyderabad
B) IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, IIT Roorkee; CSIR–IMMT Bhubaneswar, CSIR–NML Jamshedpur, NFTDC Hyderabad
C) IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur; CSIR–IMMT Bhubaneswar, CSIR–NML Jamshedpur, NFTDC Hyderabad
D) IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Roorkee; CSIR–IMMT Bhubaneswar, CSIR–NML Jamshedpur, NFTDC Hyderabad
Answer: B) IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, IIT Roorkee; CSIR–IMMT Bhubaneswar, CSIR–NML Jamshedpur, NFTDC Hyderabad
Explanation: This is the official list of CoEs designated under NCMM.
Q9. India’s NCMM also emphasizes recovery of critical minerals from unconventional sources. Which of the following is an example of such a source?
A) Overburden from mines
B) Red mud from alumina production
C) Mine tailings
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: NCMM pilot projects aim to recover critical minerals from industrial byproducts, including overburden, red mud, and mine tailings.
Q10. Which statement best describes the strategic importance of NCMM for India?
A) Focuses only on domestic mining of critical minerals
B) Secures supply chains for clean energy, EVs, defense, and advanced technologies
C) Replaces traditional mining with foreign acquisitions entirely
D) Focuses solely on generating employment in mining
Answer: B) Secures supply chains for clean energy, EVs, defense, and advanced technologies
Explanation: NCMM is a comprehensive mission covering exploration, innovation, recycling, R&D, and global partnerships to secure strategic minerals.
