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Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Manufacturing Scheme     Key Takeaways Government approves ₹7,280 crore scheme to establish domestic integrated REPM manufacturing ecosystem. Creates 6,000 MTPA domestic capacity covering the full value chain, from rare-earth oxides to finished magnets. Strengthens self-reliance for critical sectors such as electric mobility, renewable energy, electronics, aerospace and defence. Supported by strong rare-earth resource availability and policy initiatives including NCMM and MMDR Act reforms. Enhances India’s participation in global advanced-materials value chains while reducing import dependence and enabling long-term industrial growth.       1.Government approved a ₹7,280 crore scheme to promote sintered rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing, targeting expansion of national industrial capability and output overall capacity. 2.The scheme will create 6,000 MTPA integrated domestic REPM capacity, covering the full value chain from rare earth oxide to finished magnets in India. 3.REPMs deliver high magnetic strength and stability, enabling efficient use in EV motors, wind turbines, electronics, aerospace platforms, and defence systems globally today widely. 4.A domestic REPM ecosystem can cut import dependence for e-mobility, renewables, electronics, aerospace and defence, strengthening strategic supply-chain resilience at scale for India’s industries. 5.India holds about 13.15 million tonnes of monazite reserves, containing an estimated 7.23 million tonnes of rare earth oxides forming a substantial resource base. 6.Rare earth oxide resources occur in coastal beach sands, teri/red sands and inland alluvium across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand. 7.Hard-rock regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan have identified 1.29 million tonnes of in-situ rare earth oxide resources, supporting longer-term domestic supply security and planning. 8.Geological Survey added 482.6 million tonnes of rare earth ore resources through exploration, indicating strong potential for downstream industry development nationally in coming years. 9.Despite progress in local magnet production, import dependence remained high during 2022–23 to 2024–25, reaching 59.6–81.3% value and 84.8–90.4% volume for these products overall. 10.REPM consumption is projected to double by 2030, driven by e-mobility growth, renewable deployment, electronics manufacturing expansion, and strategic defence applications worldwide by then. 11.Capacity will be allocated through global competitive bidding to up to five beneficiaries; each may receive up to 1,200 MTPA to ensure diversification adequately. 12.The incentive package includes ₹6,450 crore sales-linked incentives over five years and ₹750 crore capital subsidy to support advanced plant establishment nationwide implementation efforts. 13.Implementation spans seven years: two years for facility setup, followed by five years of REPM sales-based incentive payouts, ensuring timely capacity creation and delivery. 14.The initiative supports green technologies by supplying materials for energy-efficient motors and wind power systems, aligning directly with Net Zero 2070 vision targets also. 15.The scheme complements NCMM launched January 2025, MMDR Amendment 2023, MSP, IPEF, iCET partnerships, and KABIL efforts for overseas mineral acquisition and security goals.     MCQ:   1. With reference to the ₹7,280 crore initiative, consider the following statements: I) It targets sintered rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing. II) It aims to expand national industrial capability and output. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. I only B. II only C. Both I and II D. Neither I nor II   2. The integrated domestic capacity proposed under the scheme is: A. 1,200 MTPA B. 3,000 MTPA C. 6,000 MTPA D. 7,280 MTPA 3. The scheme’s integration across the value chain is best described as: A. Finished magnets only B. Rare earth oxide to finished magnets C. Mining to rare earth oxide only D. Component assembly to final products only 4. Rare earth permanent magnets are specifically described as having: A. Low magnetic strength and low stability B. High magnetic strength and stability C. High electrical conductivity and ductility D. Low density and high thermal insulation 5. Which of the following sectors are directly cited as key users of REPM? A. EV motors, wind turbines, electronics, aerospace, defence systems B. Cement, textiles, fertilizers, shipping, retail C. Agriculture, fisheries, forestry, hospitality, tourism D. Railways, ports, steel, banking, insurance 6. Consider the following statements about India’s monazite reserves: 1) They are about 13.15 million tonnes. 2) They contain an estimated 7.23 million tonnes of rare earth oxides. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2 7. Rare earth oxide resources in coastal and inland settings are cited across several states. Which one of the following is NOT listed? A. Kerala B. Jharkhand C. Andhra Pradesh D. Punjab 8. Hard-rock in-situ rare earth oxide resources of about 1.29 million tonnes are identified in: A. Gujarat and Rajasthan B. Odisha and West Bengal C. Tamil Nadu and Kerala D. Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh 9. Geological Survey exploration added rare earth ore resources of: A. 48.26 million tonnes B. 482.6 million tonnes C. 4,826 million tonnes D. 728.0 million tonnes 10. During 2022–23 to 2024–25, import dependence for magnets remained high. The stated ranges were: A. Value: 20–40%; Volume: 30–50% B. Value: 59.6–81.3%; Volume: 84.8–90.4% C. Value: 84.8–90.4%; Volume: 59.6–81.3% D. Value: 10–25%; Volume: 70–85% 11. REPM consumption is projected to: A. Halve by 2030 due to substitution B. Remain constant until 2030 C. Double by 2030, driven by e-mobility, renewables, electronics, strategic uses D. Double by 2047, driven only by electronics 12. Consider the following about beneficiary allocation: 1) Allocation is through global competitive bidding. 2) There can be up to five beneficiaries. 3) Each beneficiary can receive up to 1,200 MTPA. 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 13. The incentive structure includes which of the following? A. ₹6,450 crore sales-linked incentives and ₹750 crore capital subsidy B. ₹7,280 crore sales-linked incentives and ₹6,450 crore capital subsidy C. ₹750 crore sales-linked incentives and ₹6,450 crore capital subsidy D. Only capital subsidy; no sales-linked incentives 14. The seven-year implementation is structured as: A. 5 years setup + 2 years incentive payouts B. 2 years setup + 5 years sales-based incentive payouts C. 7 years setup; incentives after completion D. 1 year setup + 6 years payouts 15. The scheme is stated to be

India’s Critical Mineral Mission: Securing the Minerals of Tomorrow   Introduction Launched in January 2025, the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) is India’s 7-year strategic blueprint (2024–25 to 2030–31) to secure supply chains of essential minerals critical for clean energy, electronics, transport, and defense. With ₹16,300 crore in government expenditure and ₹18,000 crore expected from PSUs, it aims to ensure mineral self-reliance and technological independence.   What are Critical Minerals Critical minerals are essential for economic growth, clean energy, and national security, with supply chains vulnerable to disruption. India’s 2023 list identifies 30 critical minerals including lithium, cobalt, nickel, titanium, rare earth elements (REE), copper, tungsten, vanadium, and zirconium.   Importance for India’s Clean Energy Transition a) Solar Energy – Photovoltaic cells depend on silicon, indium, gallium, and tellurium; crucial for India’s 64 GW solar capacity. b) Wind Power – Magnets in turbines use neodymium and dysprosium; vital for the 2030 target of 140 GW wind capacity. c) Electric Vehicles – Batteries require lithium, nickel, and cobalt; with 30% EV penetration target by 2030. d) Energy Storage – Lithium-ion systems rely on lithium, cobalt, and nickel to store renewable power.   Policy and Institutional Framework The Mission is anchored under the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act), empowering the Centre to auction 24 of 30 critical minerals. It focuses on exploration, processing, recycling, R&D, and human resource development.   Recycling and Circular Economy A ₹1,500 crore Incentive Scheme supports recycling of critical minerals from e-waste, EV batteries, and vehicle scrap. Targets include: – 270 kilo ton annual recycling capacity – 40 kilo ton of mineral output – ₹8,000 crore investment – 70,000 new jobs   Innovation and Patent Targets NCMM aims for 1,000 patents by FY 2030–31 to advance mineral technologies. Between May–June 2025, 62 patents were filed and 10 granted, covering materials like lithium, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, and tantalum—crucial for defense, batteries, and electronics.   Centres of Excellence (CoEs) Seven premier institutions designated as CoEs: – IIT Bombay – IIT Hyderabad – IIT (ISM) Dhanbad – IIT Roorkee – CSIR–IMMT Bhubaneswar – CSIR–NML Jamshedpur – NFTDC Hyderabad These centres lead R&D, processing innovation, and mineral exploration under NCMM.   Strategic Initiatives – ₹100 crore pilot projects to extract minerals from non-traditional sources (fly ash, red mud, mine tailings) – Development of processing parks and mineral stockpiles – Encouraging global asset acquisitions by Indian PSUs and private firms – Workforce training and strategic reserves creation   Broader Vision India’s mineral strategy under NCMM aligns with its climate goals: – Reduce GDP emission intensity by 45% by 2030 (from 2005) – Achieve 50% non-fossil power capacity by 2030 – Reach net-zero emissions by 2070 NCMM thus positions India as a global hub for clean technology, supply chain security, and innovation in mineral processing.   Conclusion Critical minerals are the foundation of a green, secure, and industrially advanced India. Through the National Critical Mineral Mission, the country is moving toward energy self-sufficiency, technological innovation, and global leadership in the minerals of tomorrow.   MCQ The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) was launched in which year? (a) 2024 (b) 2025 (c) 2023 (d) 2026   The proposed government expenditure for NCMM is approximately: (a) ₹10,000 crore (b) ₹16,300 crore (c) ₹18,000 crore (d) ₹20,000 crore   The expected investment from PSUs and other stakeholders under NCMM is: (a) ₹16,300 crore (b) ₹18,000 crore (c) ₹15,000 crore (d) ₹20,000 crore   NCMM is primarily designed to ensure: (a) Only mining growth (b) Energy security, industrial growth, and technological independence (c) Foreign mineral dependence (d) Only export promotion   Which of the following is NOT included in India’s list of 30 critical minerals? (a) Lithium (b) Titanium (c) Coal (d) Vanadium   Critical minerals are essential for: (a) Agriculture only (b) Economic development and national security (c) Textile industry (d) Tourism   The mineral vital for solar photovoltaic cells include: (a) Lithium and cobalt (b) Silicon, indium, gallium, tellurium (c) Nickel and copper (d) Neodymium and dysprosium   Which minerals are essential for wind turbine magnets? (a) Lithium and cobalt (b) Nickel and titanium (c) Neodymium and dysprosium (d) Silicon and tellurium   Which minerals are key for electric vehicle batteries? (a) Lithium, nickel, cobalt (b) Silicon, indium, tellurium (c) Copper, gallium (d) Zirconium, hafnium   Energy storage using lithium-ion batteries depends on: (a) Lithium, cobalt, nickel (b) Copper, gold, silver (c) Titanium, tungsten, vanadium (d) Graphite, bismuth, antimony   How many years is NCMM planned for? (a) 5 (b) 6 (c) 7 (d) 8   How many critical minerals can the Central Government auction under MMDR Act? (a) 30 (b) 24 (c) 20 (d) 15   The NCMM incentive scheme for recycling is worth: (a) ₹1,000 crore (b) ₹1,500 crore (c) ₹2,000 crore (d) ₹2,500 crore   The annual recycling capacity target under NCMM is: (a) 100 kilo ton (b) 270 kilo ton (c) 500 kilo ton (d) 350 kilo ton   How many kilo ton of critical minerals is NCMM expected to produce via recycling? (a) 20 (b) 30 (c) 40 (d) 50   Approximately how many jobs is NCMM recycling scheme expected to generate? (a) 50,000 (b) 60,000 (c) 70,000 (d) 80,000   NCMM targets how many patents by 2030–31? (a) 500 (b) 750 (c) 1,000 (d) 1,500   How many patents were filed in May 2025 in the critical mineral sector? (a) 21 (b) 31 (c) 41 (d) 51   How many patents were filed in June 2025? (a) 21 (b) 31 (c) 41 (d) 51   Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under NCMM include how many IITs? (a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 5 (d) 6   How many research laboratories are designated as CoEs under NCMM? (a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 5   Which of the following is NOT an NCMM CoE? (a) IIT Bombay (b) IIT Delhi (c) CSIR–NML Jamshedpur (d) NFTDC Hyderabad   Pilot projects under NCMM aim to extract minerals from: (a) Only traditional mines (b) Industrial byproducts like fly ash,