India to scale up critical mineral exploration and build strong domestic value chains to reduce import dependence and meet strategic needs: Dr. Jitendra Singh

1. At a Glance

• Critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, REE, graphite, nickel, etc.) are indispensable for clean-energy, EV batteries, semiconductors, defence and space — India is import-dependent for most [S1][S3].
• Topic links Ministry of Mines policy (MMDR Amendment 2023, NCMM 2025) with Ministry of Science & Technology (CSIR–IMMT, DAE) push reviewed at the NMET Governing Body meeting (26 Mar 2026) chaired by Dr Jitendra Singh [S2].
• High-yield UPSC area straddling GS-III (economy, S&T, security) and current affairs.

2. Why in the News

• 26 Mar 2026: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh chaired the NMET Governing Body meeting, calling for faster exploration, startup participation, MP/MLA involvement, and stronger domestic value chains to cut import dependence [S2].
• Follows launch of National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) approved by Cabinet (Jan 2025) with outlay ₹16,300 cr Govt + ₹18,000 cr PSU investment over 2024-25 to 2030-31 [S3][S1].
• 7th tranche of critical mineral block auction launched by Ministry of Mines (Mar 2026) [S1].

3. Background & Evolution

• NMET constituted under Section 9C of MMDR Act, 1957 (amended 2015) to fund regional and detailed exploration [S4].
• Nov 2022: Ministry of Mines committee identified 30 critical minerals for India [S5][S1].
• MMDR Amendment Act, 2023: empowered Centre to exclusively auction 24 critical & strategic minerals placed in Part D, Schedule-I; removed 6 atomic minerals from atomic-only list [S5].
• Offshore Areas Mineral (D&R) Amendment Act, 2023: enabled offshore auction [S5].
• 2024: Royalty rates fixed for 12 critical minerals (Be, Cd, Co, Ga, In, Re, Se, Ta, Te, Ti, W, V) [S5].
• Jan 2025: Cabinet approved National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) [S1][S3].

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Mines; scientific support — CSIR–IMMT (Bhubaneswar), DAE, GSI [S2][S1].
• NMET: statutory trust under Sec 9C, MMDR Act 1957; funds exploration; offers 1.25× Schedule of Charges in LWE districts [S1].
• NCMM outlay: ₹16,300 cr (Govt) + ₹18,000 cr (PSU) over 7 years (2024-25 to 2030-31) [S1].
• GSI target: 1,200 exploration projects 2024-25 to 2030-31; 195 taken up in FY 2024-25 [S1].
• 30 critical minerals identified (2022); 24 listed in Part D, Schedule-I MMDR Act [S1][S5].
• KABIL — JV of NALCO + HCL + MECL under Ministry of Mines; acquired 15,700 ha in Catamarca, Argentina for lithium [S5].
• Auction tranches: I (Nov 2023, 18 blocks), II (Feb 2024, 7), III (Mar 2024, 3), IV (Jun 2024, 21); 7th tranche launched Mar 2026 [S5][S1].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic - Reduces import bill on lithium, cobalt, REE; supports EV, RE, semiconductor PLI value chains [S3]. - NCMM seeks start-up driven mining ecosystem [S2].

Strategic / Geopolitical - Insulates India from China-dominated REE supply chains (China >60% mining, ~85% processing globally) [S3]. - Overseas asset acquisition via KABIL (Argentina lithium; exploring Australia) [S5].

Scientific / Technological - CSIR–IMMT for mineral processing/beneficiation; DAE for atomic minerals (now reclassified post-2023) [S2]. - Push for indigenous extraction & recycling tech [S2].

Administrative / Federal - Centre exclusively auctions 24 critical minerals; royalty accrues to states (cooperative federalism) [S5]. - Dr Singh urged MP/MLA participation for ground-level coordination [S2].

Environmental - Mining of critical minerals raises forest/tribal land issues; offset by clean-tech demand justification [S3].

6. Recent Developments (12-18 months)

• Jan 2025: Cabinet approval of NCMM (₹34,300 cr ecosystem) [S3].
• Jun 2024: Tranche-IV auction (21 blocks) [S5].
• FY 2024-25: GSI launched 195 critical-mineral exploration projects [S1].
• Mar 2026: 7th tranche of critical mineral block auction launched [S1].
• 26 Mar 2026: NMET Governing Body meeting — Dr Jitendra Singh's pitch on startups, value chains, CSIR–IMMT/DAE role [S2].

7. Prelims Hooks

• NMET is constituted under Section 9C of MMDR Act, 1957 [S4].
• 30 critical minerals identified by Ministry of Mines committee in 2022 [S1].
• 24 critical minerals placed in Part D, Schedule-I of MMDR Act via 2023 Amendment [S5].
• NCMM outlay: ₹16,300 cr (Govt) over 7 years (2024-25 to 2030-31) [S1].
• KABIL = JV of NALCO + HCL + MECL under Ministry of Mines [S5].
• KABIL acquired 15,700 ha in Catamarca, Argentina for lithium [S5].
• Royalty fixed (2024) for 12 critical minerals including Beryllium, Gallium, Indium, Rhenium [S5].
• CSIR–IMMT is located in Bhubaneswar (Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology) [S2].
• NMET offers 1.25× Schedule of Charges in LWE-affected districts [S1].
• Offshore Areas Mineral (D&R) Amendment Act, 2023 enables offshore block auction [S5].
• GSI mandated 1,200 exploration projects under NCMM by 2030-31 [S1].
• 7th tranche of critical mineral auction launched in 2026 [S1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Indian Economy — Resource mobilisation; Science & Tech indigenisation; Internal Security (strategic minerals).
• GS-II: Government policies and interventions (NCMM).
• Likely stems: 1. "Critical minerals are the new oil. Examine India's policy architecture to reduce import dependence in critical minerals." 2. "Discuss the significance of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 and the National Critical Mineral Mission in securing India's clean-energy transition." 3. "Evaluate the role of overseas mineral acquisition (KABIL) and scientific institutions (CSIR–IMMT, GSI) in building a resilient critical mineral value chain."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• MMDR Act, 1957 & 2015/2021/2023 Amendments — statutory base.
• Geological Survey of India (GSI) — premier exploration agency.
• PLI for ACC Battery Storage — downstream demand driver.
• EV adoption & FAME-II/III — pulls lithium/cobalt demand.
• Quad Critical Minerals Partnership / Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) — India joined 2023.
• Deep Ocean Mission — polymetallic nodules in CIOB.
• Rare Earth Elements & monazite (DAE/IREL) — atomic minerals overlap.
• National Mineral Policy, 2019 — umbrella policy.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• NMET vs NCMM: NMET is a trust under MMDR Sec 9C (2015); NCMM is a 2025 mission scheme — don't conflate.
• Critical minerals count: India lists 30 (2022); 24 are in Part D Schedule-I (auctionable by Centre) — not all 30.
• KABIL parents: NALCO + HCL + MECL — not Coal India or ONGC.
• Atomic minerals: post-2023, 6 (lithium, beryllium, niobium, titanium, tantalum, zirconium-bearing) removed from atomic-only restriction.
• Ministry confusion: Mines policy = Ministry of Mines; but NMET Governing Body addressed by Dr Jitendra Singh (Min. of S&T) because of CSIR/DAE linkage — he is not Mines Minister.

11. Sources

• [S1] National Critical Mineral Mission — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2120525 — (tier 1)
• [S2] Press Release: India to scale up critical mineral exploration (Dr Jitendra Singh, NMET GB meeting) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2245608 — (tier 1)
• [S3] Cabinet approves National Critical Mineral Mission, ₹34,300 cr — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2097309 — (tier 1)
• [S4] NMET – Enhancing Mineral Exploration Activities — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1739869 — (tier 1)
• [S5] Parliament Passes MMDR Amendment Bill 2023 / Auction & royalty notes — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1945102 ; https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2010128 ; https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2039605 — (tier 1)