National Critical Mineral Mission: Securing India’s Strategic Future

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Critical minerals have emerged as the new drivers of global progress. They are essential for renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, semiconductors, defense systems, telecommunications, and advanced healthcare. As the world pivots toward clean energy and advanced industries, securing access to these minerals has become a geopolitical priority. Recognizing this, the Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in January 2025, with a clear vision: to make India self-reliant, resilient, and globally competitive in critical minerals.

What are Critical Minerals?

Critical minerals are natural resources essential for economic development, technological innovation, and national security. Their supply is often limited to a few geographies, creating high vulnerability to disruptions.

In 2023, India identified 30 minerals as critical, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements (REEs), tungsten, titanium, vanadium, indium, and graphite. Out of these, 24 minerals were placed under Part D of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, granting the Centre exclusive authority to auction mining leases.

Why NCMM is Crucial for India

  1. Clean Energy Transition

    • Solar panels depend on silicon, indium, gallium, and tellurium.

    • Wind turbines require rare earths like neodymium and dysprosium.

    • Electric vehicle (EV) batteries rely on lithium, cobalt, and nickel.

    • Energy storage systems use lithium-ion technologies.

  2. Electronics & Semiconductors

    • Semiconductors, fiber optics, and circuit boards depend on rare and specialized minerals.

  3. Defense & Aerospace

    • Missiles, aircraft, and satellites require titanium, cobalt, and rare earths.

  4. Medical Technologies

    • MRI machines, pacemakers, and advanced diagnostics use beryllium, gallium, and other critical elements.

  5. Strategic Concerns

    • India relies heavily on imports, especially from China, which dominates refining of over 60% of global critical minerals.

    • Disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and export restrictions have underscored the urgency of diversifying supply chains. 

Structure and Governance of NCMM

  • Launch: Union Budget 2024–25, operational from 2024-25 to 2030-31.

  • Outlay: ₹16,300 crore government expenditure, with expected PSU/private investment of ₹18,000 crore. 

  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Mines.

  • Governance:

    • Mission Secretariat led by a Joint Secretary.

    • Empowered Committee on Critical Minerals chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, with representatives from stakeholder ministries. 

Objectives of the Mission

  1. Secure India’s supply chain of critical minerals from domestic and overseas sources.

  2. Strengthen the entire value chain, exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, recycling, and stockpiling.

  3. Build technological, regulatory, and financial ecosystems for innovation and global competitiveness.

  4. Develop a skilled workforce and support startups/MSMEs in the critical minerals sector.

Key Components of NCMM

1. Increasing Domestic Production

  • 1,200 exploration projects by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).

  • Auction of 100+ blocks of critical minerals.

  • Fast-track approval process for mining projects.

  • Recovery of minerals from mine tailings, fly ash, and red mud.

  • Offshore exploration of polymetallic nodules containing cobalt, REEs, nickel, and manganese.

  • Establishment of Mineral Processing Parks.

2. Overseas Acquisition

  • Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like KABIL tasked with acquiring assets abroad.

  • Partnerships with Argentina (lithium), Australia (lithium & cobalt), and other resource-rich nations.

  • International initiatives: MSP (Mineral Security Partnership), iCET, Quad, and India-UK TSI.

3. Recycling and Circular Economy

  • Incentive scheme of ₹1,500 crore to boost recycling from e-waste, EV batteries, and end-of-life vehicles.

  • Goal: build 270 kilo ton annual recycling capacity and recover 40 kilo ton of critical minerals. 

  • Formation of a Recycling Advisory Group.

4. Trade and Markets

  • Integration of critical minerals chapters in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

  • Development of a National Mineral Stockpile to secure reserves.

  • Removal of customs duties on critical minerals and recyclable materials.

5. Research and Innovation

  • Target of 1,000 patents by 2030 across exploration, processing, and advanced applications.

  • Establishment of 7 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) at IITs and research labs.

  • Promotion of startups under PRISM initiative.

6. Human Resource Development

  • Skill development for 10,000 professionals.

  • Specialized degree modules on mining, metallurgy, and recycling.

  • Scholarships, internships, and international capacity-building programmes.

7. Funding and Fiscal Incentives

  • Fiscal measures to encourage private/junior exploration firms.

  • Leverage funding from World Bank, ADB, and IMF.

  • Alignment with existing government schemes.

Expected Outcomes by 2030

  • 1200 domestic exploration projects.

  • 50+ overseas mineral assets acquired.

  • 400 kilo ton recycling capacity developed.

  • 1000 patents filed in critical mineral technologies.

  • 10,000 skilled workforce trained.

  • 4 processing parks and 3 mineral stockpiles established

The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) is more than a mining initiative, it is a strategic blueprint for India’s energy security, technological sovereignty, and economic resilience. By investing in exploration, recycling, global partnerships, and research, India aims to position itself at the center of the clean energy and high-tech supply chains of the 21st century.

In many ways, critical minerals are becoming the oil of the future, scarce, strategic, and contested. NCMM provides India with the tools to reduce import dependency, foster innovation, and lead in the industries of tomorrow, all while aligning with national climate goals of 50% non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net-zero by 2070.

Location: India
Welcome to EcoVisionary. I'm Dr. Anitha V, an environmentalist passionate about exploring and sharing insights on the intricate relationship between humans and the natural world. Having successfully completed my Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, my goal is to raise awareness of pressing environmental issues and inspire actionable solutions for a healthier planet. Through engaging articles, in-depth research, and thought-provoking discussions, I aim to empower readers to embrace sustainable practices and become stewards of the environment. Join me on this journey to create a more sustainable future, where every small step can lead to significant change.

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