by Q. Consider the following statements:
UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims) 2025 – General Studies Paper I
I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member.
II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that the group has identified.
III. The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for certain critical minerals.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III
Answer: (c) I and III only
Explanation:
Statement I is correct: India became a formal member of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) in 2023 to ensure critical mineral supply chains.
Statement II is incorrect: India is not self-sufficient in all 30 critical minerals; many are still imported.
Statement III is correct: The 2023 amendment to the MMDR Act authorized the Central Government to conduct auctions for strategic minerals like lithium, REEs, etc.
