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24 Dec 2025·Source: The Hindu
2 min
EconomyScience & TechnologyInternational RelationsNEWS

Critical Minerals: Key to India's National Security and Technological Sovereignty

Critical minerals are vital for India's national security and technological sovereignty, says Air Marshal Dixit.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, highlighted the crucial role of critical minerals for India's national security, defence capability development, and technological sovereignty. He emphasized that modern defence systems, including jet engines, missiles, and semiconductors, are intrinsically dependent on assured access to these minerals.

Given the highly concentrated global supply chains and geopolitical pressures, self-reliant defence manufacturing and resilient mineral supply chains are paramount. Initiatives like the National Critical Mineral Mission aim to strengthen India's value chain from extraction to recycling, ensuring strategic autonomy.

Key Facts

1.

Critical minerals are crucial for national security, defence, technological sovereignty

2.

Modern defence systems depend on these minerals

3.

Global supply chains are concentrated and subject to geopolitical pressures

4.

National Critical Mineral Mission launched to strengthen value chain

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

Economic implications of critical mineral dependence and self-reliance

2.

National security dimensions of critical mineral access

3.

Technological sovereignty and advanced manufacturing

4.

Environmental and social impacts of mining and processing

5.

Geopolitical strategies and international collaborations for mineral security

6.

Policy and regulatory framework for mineral exploration and exploitation

Visual Insights

India's Critical Mineral Policy Milestones (2019-2025)

This timeline provides a chronological overview of key policy decisions and initiatives undertaken by the Government of India to secure its critical mineral supply chains, enhance self-reliance, and bolster national security and technological sovereignty.

India's growing economy and ambitious technological goals, coupled with increasing geopolitical competition and concentrated global supply chains, necessitated a proactive and comprehensive strategy for critical minerals. The policy evolution reflects a shift from general mineral policies to a targeted, mission-mode approach to secure these strategic resources.

  • 2019National Mineral Policy 2019 released, emphasizing sustainable mining, mineral security, and reducing import dependence.
  • 2020Launch of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, promoting self-reliance across strategic sectors, including defence and critical technologies reliant on specific minerals.
  • 2021Formation of Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) to identify and acquire critical mineral assets abroad.
  • 2022India Semiconductor Mission launched, highlighting the need for critical minerals as inputs for semiconductor manufacturing.
  • June 2023Ministry of Mines identifies 30 critical minerals crucial for India's strategic sectors, based on expert committee recommendations.
  • Aug 2023Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) amended; 6 critical minerals (e.g., Lithium, Niobium) de-listed from atomic minerals, opening them for private sector mining.
  • Nov 2023First tranche of 20 critical mineral blocks (including Lithium, REEs, Graphite) put up for auction, inviting private sector participation in exploration and mining.
  • 2024KABIL actively pursues acquisition of critical mineral assets in countries like Argentina (Lithium) and Australia (Cobalt, Lithium), with initial agreements signed.
  • 2025Continued focus on domestic processing, recycling initiatives, and forging international partnerships under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) to build a robust value chain.
More Information

Background

Critical minerals are essential for modern technologies, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, electronics, and advanced defence systems. Their importance has surged due to global energy transitions and geopolitical shifts. Historically, access to key resources has been a driver of international relations and conflicts. India, like many nations, is heavily reliant on imports for many of these minerals, creating vulnerabilities.

Latest Developments

The Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, recently underscored the critical role of these minerals for India's national security, defence manufacturing, and technological autonomy. He highlighted the dependence of modern defence systems on these minerals and the risks posed by concentrated global supply chains. India has launched the National Critical Mineral Mission to strengthen its value chain from extraction to recycling and has also amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to facilitate private sector participation in critical mineral exploration and mining.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding 'Critical Minerals' in the Indian context: 1. A mineral is designated as 'critical' primarily based on its scarcity and high demand in advanced technologies. 2. The National Critical Mineral Mission aims to establish a secure supply chain from extraction to recycling for identified critical minerals. 3. Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a subset of critical minerals, essential for permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is incorrect. While scarcity and high demand are factors, criticality also considers the risk of supply chain disruption and the economic impact of a supply shortage. It's a combination of economic importance and supply risk. Statement 2 is correct, as highlighted in the news summary, the mission aims to strengthen the value chain from extraction to recycling. Statement 3 is correct; REEs are indeed a crucial subset of critical minerals with vital applications in green technologies and defence.

2. In the context of India's efforts to secure critical minerals, consider the following statements: 1. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, was recently amended to facilitate private sector participation in the exploration and mining of critical minerals. 2. India has established a Strategic Mineral Reserve, similar to its Strategic Petroleum Reserve, to mitigate supply chain disruptions for all identified critical minerals. 3. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is the nodal agency for exploration and mapping of critical mineral resources within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 only
  • B.1 and 3 only
  • C.2 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is correct. The MMDR Act was amended in 2023 to allow private entities to explore and mine 24 critical minerals, previously reserved for government entities. Statement 2 is incorrect. While the idea of strategic mineral reserves is discussed, India does not currently have a fully established Strategic Mineral Reserve for all critical minerals akin to its Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Statement 3 is correct. GSI plays a crucial role in geological mapping and exploration, including in the EEZ, to identify potential mineral resources.

3. Match the following critical minerals with their primary applications: List I (Critical Mineral) List II (Primary Application) 1. Lithium A. Superalloys for jet engines 2. Cobalt B. Semiconductors and optoelectronics 3. Gallium C. Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries 4. Niobium D. High-strength steel and superconductors Select the correct matching using the codes given below:

  • A.1-C, 2-A, 3-B, 4-D
  • B.1-C, 2-D, 3-B, 4-A
  • C.1-A, 2-C, 3-D, 4-B
  • D.1-B, 2-A, 3-C, 4-D
Show Answer

Answer: A

1. Lithium is primarily used in Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries and other rechargeable batteries (1-C). 2. Cobalt is crucial for superalloys in jet engines and gas turbines, as well as in EV batteries (2-A). 3. Gallium is vital for semiconductors, LEDs, and optoelectronic devices (3-B). 4. Niobium is used in high-strength low-alloy steels, superalloys, and superconductors (4-D).

4. Which of the following is NOT a significant challenge for India in achieving self-reliance and securing its supply chain for critical minerals?

  • A.Highly concentrated global supply chains dominated by a few countries.
  • B.Lack of advanced processing and refining capabilities within India.
  • C.Abundant domestic reserves of all identified critical minerals.
  • D.Environmental and social concerns associated with large-scale mining projects.
Show Answer

Answer: C

Options A, B, and D represent significant challenges for India. Global supply chains are indeed concentrated, India lacks sufficient advanced processing capabilities, and mining projects face environmental and social hurdles. Option C is incorrect because India does NOT have abundant domestic reserves of *all* identified critical minerals; it is import-dependent for many. Therefore, the statement 'Abundant domestic reserves of all identified critical minerals' is NOT a challenge, but rather a false premise, making it the correct answer to the 'NOT a challenge' question.

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