PARLIAMENT QUESTION: RARE EARTH RESERVES IN THE COUNTRY

• Rare Earth Elements (REEs) = 17 elements (15 lanthanides + Sc + Y) critical for permanent magnets, EVs, wind turbines, defence electronics, semiconductors.
• India holds the world's third-largest rare earth resources per USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2025.
• Topic intersects GS-III (economy, energy security, S&T), GS-II (China dependence, strategic minerals diplomacy) — highly examinable in 2026 cycle given National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) rollout.