The Indian government has approved the National Critical Mineral Mission with a budget of ₹16,300 crore, as part of a larger ₹34,300 crore outlay over seven years. This strategic initiative aims to enhance self-reliance in critical minerals and accelerate India's transition towards green energy.

According to the Ministry of Mines, public sector enterprises will contribute ₹18,000 crore to the mission, which focuses on the exploration and development of essential minerals both domestically and offshore. This mission is expected to play a crucial role in securing India's mineral supply chain for key industries, including renewable energy, electric mobility and advanced manufacturing.

Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements serve as essential raw materials for the rapid expansion of clean energy technologies. These minerals play a vital role in various applications, including wind turbines, electricity networks, electric vehicles (EVs), and battery manufacturing.

With the global push towards sustainable energy solutions, the demand for these minerals is surging, driven by the accelerating transition to clean energy. Recognising this, the Indian government has launched the National Critical Mineral Mission to secure domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on imports.

Following the Cabinet’s approval, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasised that the mission is a strategic step towards self-reliance in critical minerals, ensuring India’s position as a key player in the global clean energy revolution.

"This mission is of Rs 16,300 crore," he said, adding that 24 critical minerals have been identified.

Recognising the crucial role of critical minerals in economic growth and technological advancement, the National Critical Mineral Mission has been designed with a comprehensive strategy to secure India's mineral resources. The key objectives of the mission include expanding domestic exploration, reducing dependence on imports, acquiring mineral blocks overseas, developing advanced processing technologies and promoting mineral recycling. These efforts aim to strengthen India's supply chain for essential minerals, ensuring long-term sustainability and self-reliance in critical sectors such as renewable energy, electric mobility, and high-tech manufacturing.

"The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with an expenditure of Rs 16,300 crore and expected investment of Rs 18,000 crore by PSUs, etc," the ministry said.

The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) is designed to cover all stages of the critical mineral value chain, including exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing and resource recovery from end-of-life products. To strengthen India's resource security, the mission will intensify exploration efforts within the country and its offshore areas while streamlining the regulatory approval process for mining projects.

A key aspect of the mission is the provision of financial incentives to boost critical mineral exploration and facilitate the recovery of valuable resources from overburden and tailings. Additionally, the initiative seeks to encourage public sector enterprises and private companies to acquire mineral assets abroad and enhance trade partnerships with resource-rich nations. To further strengthen domestic supply chains, the mission also proposes the development of a national stockpile of critical minerals, ensuring long-term availability for key industries.

The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) includes provisions for establishing mineral processing parks and supporting the recycling of critical minerals to enhance resource utilisation and sustainability. To drive innovation in critical mineral technologies, the mission also proposes the creation of a Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals, fostering research and development in this sector.

Adopting a whole-of-government approach, the mission will collaborate with relevant ministries, public sector undertakings (PSUs), private enterprises and research institutions to achieve its objectives efficiently. Recognising the need to accelerate exploration and mining activities, the government amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, in 2023, paving the way for auctioning 24 strategic mineral blocks.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has also intensified its efforts, conducting 368 exploration projects for critical minerals over the past three years. In 2024-25, 195 projects are underway, with 227 projects planned for 2025-26, further strengthening India's mineral exploration capabilities.

To enhance domestic availability and attract investment in mineral processing, the government has eliminated customs duties on most critical minerals in the FY25 budget, encouraging industries to set up processing facilities within India. These initiatives underscore the country’s commitment to securing a stable and self-sufficient supply of critical minerals, essential for advancing clean energy and strategic industries.