As India pursues its ambitious green transition, the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) has surged to the forefront of national policy in 2025, aiming to transform the country from a vulnerable importer to a global leader in critical minerals essential for clean energy and advanced technology. The ramped-up mission marks a strategic pivot—away from import dependence and toward establishing a resilient “mine-to-market” ecosystem for minerals powering everything from electric vehicles (EVs) and solar panels to semiconductors and aerospace.
The Stakes: Green Tech, Independence, and National Security
Critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements (REEs) are the backbone of modern green technologies. Batteries for EVs, wind and solar infrastructure, and electronics all depend on these resources. However, India has long relied on imports—often from geopolitically sensitive regions. China, for instance, controls over 70% of global lithium and rare earth supply chains, magnifying India’s risks in an era of volatile trade policies.
With national targets such as 500GW of non-fossil energy by 2030, 6–7 million EVs on the road, and net-zero emissions by 2070, the need for a secure, sustainable critical mineral supply has become both an economic and security imperative.
Mission Objectives and Investment
Launched in January 2025 with a 7-year, ₹34,300 crore (about $4 billion) investment, the NCMM charts a comprehensive strategy:
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Boost Domestic Exploration & Mining: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is leading 1,200 exploration projects by 2031, expanding well beyond its previous efforts.
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Strengthen Value Chains: The mission develops mineral processing parks, enhances beneficiation, and promotes recycling of minerals from end-of-life products—thus covering the entire value chain from extraction to reuse.
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Incentivize R&D and Innovation: The mission offers funding for research, industry start-ups, and collaborates with top institutions to drive technological advancement in critical mineral processing.
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Global Partnerships & Asset Acquisitions: There’s a robust drive to acquire mining assets abroad (recent projects in Argentina for lithium), and to diversify supply chains through new trade partnerships.
Identifying the “Critical 30”
A government committee recently identified 30 minerals as “critical,” including lithium, cobalt, nickel, tungsten, tellurium, silicon, and various REEs. Twenty-four of these are now governed by a centralized auction system, ensuring priority and strategic control. These resources fuel not just green energy and EVs, but also India’s electronics, defense, and semiconductor ambitions.
Fast-Tracking India’s Green Economy
The practical impact of the NCMM is already visible:
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Solar & Wind Power: India’s solar capacity has reached 64GW and aims for 140GW wind by 2030, all of which are heavily dependent on key minerals.
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Electric Mobility: India currently imports nearly 100% of its lithium and cobalt, the heart of battery tech. With the mission, domestic production is expected to rise significantly.
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Manufacturing & Jobs: The mission targets full-spectrum job creation, supporting local manufacturing and promising to train 10,000 skilled workers along the supply chain.
Tackling Challenges Head-On
While the mission’s promise is immense, several hurdles remain. India’s critical mineral deposits are often of low grade and lack downstream processing capacity. Land acquisition, environmental risks, and the need to rapidly scale technology are ongoing challenges. Yet, with the mission’s robust investment, regulatory reforms, and fast-track project approval systems, policymakers are signaling intent for rapid, sustainable growth.
Collaboration Is Key
Public-private partnerships are being leveraged like never before. Major Indian companies—Vedanta, Ola Electric, and others—are participating in auctions, while state-run PSUs are tasked with overseas acquisitions. The mission also invites start-ups and MSMEs to innovate, offering generous central funding and infrastructure support. International tie-ups, especially with lithium-rich regions, will be key to bridging initial supply gaps.
Looking Forward
India’s Critical Minerals Mission is not just an industrial policy—it’s a foundational pillar for energy security, technological autonomy, and green economic growth. As global competition for these minerals intensifies, India’s holistic push through the NCMM positions it as a fast-rising player in the global green supply chain.
If successful, India won’t just meet its climate goals; it will also establish itself as a hub for clean tech manufacturing, job creation, and strategic innovation—putting “Atmanirbhar Bharat” into action, mineral by mineral.
Sources: PIB, The Economic Times, Eco-business, Angel One, Adda247, Drishti IAS, Vision IAS, Mongabay Environmenta
