India is set to launch the National Critical Mineral Stockpile (NCMS) to secure rare earth supplies vital for electric vehicles, wind energy, and green technologies amid global supply risks, according to a report by The Economic Times.
Why it matters
China’s export curbs on rare earth magnets, which is a key component for clean energy and high-tech industries, have disrupted global supply chains. India’s move aims to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen its mineral security, the news report said.
The NCMS will act as a buffer against supply disruptions by maintaining a two-month reserve of critical minerals. Initially, it will focus on rare earth elements, with plans to expand the scope later.
• The government is designing NCMS with private sector participation to ensure adequate reserves
• Rare earth elements (a group of 17 minerals) are vital for electric vehicles, wind turbines and electronics due to their unique magnetic and electrical properties
• India has already approved a ₹7,300 crore incentive scheme to promote domestic rare earth magnet production, targeting 6,000 tonnes over five years
• Under the National Critical Minerals Mission, ₹500 crore has been allocated to prevent supply shocks and support domestic manufacturing
What are the hurdles?
While NCMS is a crucial step toward self-reliance, India still faces technological hurdles in extracting and processing rare earths from domestic reserves. Most supplies continue to be imported.
By the numbers
India holds an estimated 7.23 million tonnes of rare earth oxide within 13.15 million tonnes of monazite deposits found across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and other states.
What’s next
The Ministry of Mines has auctioned 55 critical and strategic mineral blocks so far, with 34 awarded. A sixth tranche of auctions has just been launched to expand domestic access to these essential resources, the news report said.
China tightens export rules on rare earth materials
China’s Ministry of Commerce has expanded export restrictions on rare earth materials and related technologies, citing “national security” concerns, news agency Reuters reported.
The new rules limit the export of processing technologies, ban unauthorised partnerships between Chinese and foreign companies, and make it mandatory to obtain licences for recycling equipment. The ministry also said that export licences will not be issued to overseas defence-related users. Applications linked to semiconductor production will be reviewed individually.
In April, Beijing had already required exporters to get licences and end-user certificates (EUCs) from buyers before shipping medium and heavy rare earths. While exports to Europe and Southeast Asia have since resumed, licences for Indian importers are still pending.
National Critical Mineral Mission: Powering India’s Clean Energy Future
New Delhi, NFAPost: (09 APR 2025) The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. Under this mission, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been tasked with conducting 1,200 exploration projects from 2024-25 to 2030-31.
A committee formed by the Ministry of Mines in November 2022 identified 30 critical minerals, with 24 included in Part D of Schedule I of Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (MMDR Act, 1957).
The inclusion of 24 critical minerals in Part D of the First Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act) means that the Central Government now has the exclusive authority to auction mining leases and composite licenses for these specific minerals.
It also recommended setting up a Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals (CECM) to regularly update the mineral list and guide strategy.
Critical minerals are essential for clean energy technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, EVs, and energy storage systems. To secure these resources, India launched the NCMM to ensure their long-term availability and processing.
| Critical minerals are essential for a country’s economic development and national security, and their lack of availability or concentration in a few geographical locations can lead to supply chain vulnerabilities. |
Usage of Critical Minerals
Critical minerals are essential components of various clean energy technologies and industries. Their importance can be highlighted across different sectors:
1. Solar energy
- Critical minerals such as silicon, tellurium, indium, and gallium are vital for the production of photovoltaic (PV) cells used in solar panels.
- India’s current solar capacity of 64 GW is heavily dependent on these minerals.
2. Wind energy
- Rare earth elements like dysprosium and neodymium are used in permanent magnets for wind turbines.
- India aims to increase its wind energy capacity from 42 GW to 140 GW by 2030, necessitating a stable supply of these minerals.
3. Electric vehicles (EVs)
- Lithium, nickel, and cobalt are key materials used in lithium-ion batteries.
- Under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP), India plans to deploy 6–7 million EVs by 2024, leading to increased demand for these critical minerals.
4. Energy storage
- Lithium-ion batteries used in advanced energy storage systems depend on lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
Objectives of NCMM
- To secure India’s critical mineral supply chain by ensuring mineral availability from domestic and foreign sources.
- Strengthening the value chains by enhancing technological, regulatory, and financial ecosystems to foster innovation, skill development, and global competitiveness in mineral exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, and recycling.
Mission Output
| Mission Objectives | Key Heads | Target (2024-25 to 2030-31) |
| Securing Domestic and Foreign Sourcing | Domestic Critical Mineral Exploration Projects-Projects aimed at identifying and evaluating domestic reserves of critical minerals. | 1200 |
| Foreign Critical Mineral Mines – PSUsExploration and acquisition of overseas mineral assets by Public Sector Undertakings. | 26 | |
| Foreign Critical Mineral Mines – Private Entities-Facilitation and support for private firms to acquire critical mineral assets abroad. | 24 | |
| Incentive Scheme for Recycling (kt)Scheme to promote recovery of critical minerals from secondary sources like scrap and waste | 400 | |
| Strengthening Value Chains | Patents in Critical Mineral Value ChainEncouraging innovation through development of patents across the critical mineral lifecycle. | 1000 |
| Skill DevelopmentTraining and upskilling workforce to support activities in mining, processing, and R&D. | 10000 | |
| Mineral Processing ParksDedicated zones for processing critical minerals with modern infrastructure and facilities. | 4 | |
| Centre of ExcellenceInstitutions established for advanced research and technological development in the sector. | 3 | |
| Mineral Stockpile (Cumulative)Strategic reserves maintained to ensure uninterrupted supply of critical minerals. | 5 |
Components of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)
India’s exploration efforts
Under NCMM mission, GSI has intensified its exploration programs. In the 2024-25 field season, GSI has taken up 195 projects, including 35 in Rajasthan, focused on identifying and assessing critical mineral deposits. The mission seeks to minimize import dependency by enhancing domestic exploration and mining efforts. More than 100 critical mineral blocks are set to be auctioned, and exploration will be expanded to offshore regions rich in polymetallic nodules containing cobalt, rare earth elements (REEs), nickel, and manganese.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI), under the Ministry of Mines, follows the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) classification and Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) (MEMC) Rules, 2015, to carry out exploration activities for critical minerals. Earlier in 2021-22 and 2022-23, GSI conducted reconnaissance surveys for rare earth elements (REEs) including neodymium in Sirohi and Bhilwara districts of Rajasthan. Additionally, the Department of Atomic Energy discovered around 1,11,845 tonnes of in-situ Rare Earth Elements Oxide (REO) in Balotra, Rajasthan.
To speed up projects, a fast-track regulatory approval system will be introduced. A new Exploration Licence (EL) will encourage private sector participation. Recovery of minerals from secondary sources like fly ash, tailings, and red mud will be promoted through relaxed rules and incentives. Efforts will also focus on trace mineral assessment, development of processing parks, and increased involvement of state governments and PSUs in the critical mineral value chain.
Acquisition of assets abroad
India will invest in exploring and acquiring critical mineral assets in resource-rich countries. PSUs and private firms will be supported through funding, guidelines, and inter-ministerial coordination. Public-private partnerships will be promoted, and infrastructure support will be ensured with MEA’s help.
Key International Initiatives
- KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd) signed an agreement with CAMYEN SE, a state-owned enterprise in Catamarca, Argentina, on 15th January 2024 for lithium exploration covering 15,703 hectares.
- KABIL also signed an MoU with the Critical Mineral Office (CMO), Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISER), Government of Australia, in March 2022.
- Due diligence is underway for selection of lithium and cobalt projects in Australia for strategic investments through off-take arrangements.
IREL (India) Limited
With a processing capacity of 6 lakh tons per annum, IREL produces key minerals like ilmenite, rutile, zircon, sillimanite, and garnet. It also operates a Rare Earth Extraction Plant in Chatrapur, Odisha and a Rare Earth Refining Unit at Aluva, Kerala. The company has been making profit consistently since 1997-98, with a peak turnover of over ₹14,625 million in 2021-22, including ₹7,000 million in exports.
IREL is focused on expanding its production capacity, supporting value chain industries, and advancing R&D through its facility in Kollam, Kerala.
Conclusion
India aims to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels), achieve 50% of its electric power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030, and reach net-zero emissions by 2070. To achieve these climate goals, the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) plays a vital role by building a resilient and self-reliant ecosystem for critical minerals. The mission focuses on boosting domestic production, encouraging private sector participation, strengthening international partnerships, and streamlining regulations to ensure a steady supply of minerals essential for clean energy technologies.
