UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — As critical minerals become strategic assets, U.S. looks to realign supply chain

Q1. With reference to the seven rare earth elements brought under export control by China in April 2025, which of the following are correctly identified as being on that list?

  1. Dysprosium
  2. Neodymium
  3. Terbium
  4. Yttrium
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. Which of the following is the nodal Union Ministry for implementing the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) approved in 2025?

  • A. Ministry of Coal
  • B. Ministry of Steel
  • C. Ministry of Mines
  • D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Q3. How many minerals are listed in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 2025 Critical Minerals List, which Project Vault is mandated to cover in its strategic reserve?

  • A. 35
  • B. 50
  • C. 60
  • D. 70

Q4. With reference to the U.S. 'Project Vault' (2026) and the older U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), consider the following statements: 1. Unlike the government-owned and government-operated SPR, Project Vault is structured as an independently governed public-private partnership. 2. Project Vault, like the SPR, is funded entirely by federal budgetary appropriations. 3. Project Vault is designed to stockpile all minerals identified in the USGS 2025 Critical Minerals List. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the government-owned and government-operated SPR, Project Vault is structured as an independently governed public-private partnership.
  2. Project Vault, like the SPR, is funded entirely by federal budgetary appropriations.
  3. Project Vault is designed to stockpile all minerals identified in the USGS 2025 Critical Minerals List.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Which one of the following is the primary U.S. federal agency providing the lead loan financing for Project Vault, the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve launched in 2026?

  • A. Department of Defense (Defense Logistics Agency)
  • B. Department of Energy
  • C. U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM)
  • D. U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)