(THE GIST OF PIB) Critical minerals

(APRIL-2025)

Critical minerals

The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to boost self-reliance in the critical minerals sector and support India’s clean energy goals.

What are Critical Minerals?

Critical minerals are those that are essential for modern technologies and national security, but have supply chain risks due to their limited availability or geographical concentration.
Their ‘criticality’ changes over time depending on technological demand and supply dynamics.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

30 critical minerals were identified by a Ministry of Mines committee in 2022.
List of India’s 30 Critical Minerals: Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, Platinum Group Elements (PGE), Phosphorous, Potash, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium, and Cadmium.
24 minerals added to Part D of Schedule I of the MMDR Act, 1957, granting Central Government exclusive auctioning powers.
A Centre of Excellence for Critical Minerals (CECM) will regularly review the mineral list and advise policy.

Key Institutions and their Role

Geological Survey of India (GSI): Leading exploration under UNFC classification and MEMC Rules, 2015.
Department of Atomic Energy: Identified 1,11,845 tonnes of REE oxide in Balotra, Rajasthan.
IREL (India) Limited: Leading processing of beach sand minerals and operating Rare Earth Extraction and Refining Units.