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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

INDIAN NAVY AND AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT  The Indian Navy is undergoing a strategic transformation under Vision 2047 to become a fully indigenous, technology-driven maritime force. The focus areas are innovation, indigenisation, and integration of advanced technologies, aligned with the national Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission. INDIGENISATION AND STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE Indigenisation is critical for operational autonomy, supply-chain security, and national security during crises. India’s role as “first responder” in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has expanded through HADR operations, anti-piracy missions, and maritime security. India safeguards major global trade routes, as nearly 50% of global trade and 40% of oil transit through the Indo-Pacific. The coastline (11,098 km) and EEZ (2.4 million sq km) require strong maritime capabilities. NAVAL INDIGENISATION STATUS Over 40 indigenous warships and submarines have been inducted since 2014, with one new platform added every 40 days in the last year. About 67% of capital procurement in the last decade has been from Indian industry. Machinery indigenisation levels: Float – 90%, Move – 60%, Fight – 50%. BUDGET AND MODERNISATION The Navy’s budget has grown from ₹49,623 crore (2020–21) to ₹1.03 lakh crore (2025–26). Defence budget stands at ₹6.81 lakh crore in 2025–26, showing sustained emphasis on maritime power. Capital expenditure for ships, submarines, and aviation has sharply increased, indicating focus on future warfare technologies. KEY PLATFORMS AND SHIPBUILDING 51 major warships are under construction in India (~₹90,000 crore value). Indigenous achievements include: – INS Vikrant: First indigenous aircraft carrier, 76% indigenous content. – Project 15B: Visakhapatnam-class destroyers (modern air defence and strike capability). – Project 17A: Nilgiri-class stealth frigates (advanced sensors and weapons). – Survey vessels and ASW crafts like INS Sandhayak, INS Androth, INS Mahe with high indigenous content. SUBMARINE CAPABILITY Project-75: Six Kalvari-class submarines strengthen underwater warfare. Indigenous AIP system developed by DRDO for endurance enhancement. Advanced sonar systems like HUMSA NG, ABHAY, and ALTAS support indigenous underwater dominance. WEAPONS AND SENSORS Indigenous missile systems include VL-SRSAM and BrahMos. Torpedoes and countermeasures: Maareech, Varunastra, ALWT, MIGM. Electronic warfare systems such as Shakti, Varuna, and Sangraha indigenised. AVIATION HAL Dhruv helicopters used for SAR, surveillance, and logistics. More than 340 produced, exported to friendly nations. POLICY FRAMEWORK INIP 2015–2030: Roadmap for indigenisation across Float, Move, Fight. NIIO (2020): Innovation ecosystem linking military, startups, and academia. SPRINT: Target of inducting 75 indigenous technologies. iDEX: Defence innovation funding (up to ₹10 crore). SRIJAN Portal and Positive Indigenisation Lists: Over 3,000 defence items indigenised. STRATEGIC CONCLUSION The Indian Navy has moved from “Buyer’s Navy” to “Builder’s Navy.” Indigenisation strengthens India’s maritime autonomy, industrial growth, and geopolitical influence. The Navy is emerging as a major pillar of India’s national power in the Indo-Pacific and supports long-term security under Vision 2047. MOTTO “Jalmev Yasya, Balmev Tasya” – One who controls the sea, controls power. MCQ: 1. The primary objective of the Indian Navy’s Vision 2047 is to: (a) Expand foreign procurement of naval platforms (b) Achieve complete technological isolation from allies (c) Maintain only coastal security operations (d) Become a fully indigenous and technologically advanced maritime force 2. The Indian Naval Indigenisation Plan (INIP) 2015–2030 focuses on indigenisation under which three functional categories? (a) Attack, Defence, Logistics (b) Air, Sea, Space (c) Float, Move and Fight (d) Surface, Sub-surface and Air 3. India is referred to as the “first responder” in the Indian Ocean Region mainly because: (a) It controls the Strait of Malacca (b) It conducts frequent humanitarian and disaster relief operations (c) It owns maximum merchant ships (d) It hosts most naval exercises 4. Approximately what percentage of India’s capital procurement for the Navy over the last decade has been from Indian industry? (a) 35% (b) 50% (c) 67% (d) 90% 5. Which one of the following best reflects India’s maritime economic dependence? (a) 90% of India’s population lives in coastal towns (b) 90% of India’s trade and 80% of freight is sea-based (c) 50% of India’s oil is mined offshore (d) 75% of GDP comes from ports 6. INS Vikrant is significant because: (a) It is India’s first nuclear-powered submarine (b) It is India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (c) It is India’s longest-serving warship (d) It is India’s first stealth destroyer 7. Project 17A is associated with: (a) Aircraft carriers (b) Submarine development (c) Stealth frigates (d) Missile testing facility 8. The Kalvari class submarines were developed under: (a) Project 15B (b) Project 17 (c) Project 75 (d) Project 15A 9. Which missile system was inducted by the Indian Navy in March 2025? (a) Barak-8 (b) Agni-V (c) VL-SRSAM (d) Akash-NG 10. Which indigenous torpedo defence system protects Indian naval vessels against enemy torpedoes? (a) Varunastra (b) Shakti (c) Maareech (d) ALTAS 11. The Navy’s budget crossed ₹1 lakh crore in: (a) 2020–21 (b) 2022–23 (c) 2023–24 (d) 2025–26 12. The Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) was established in: (a) 2018 (b) 2019 (c) 2020 (d) 2022 13. Under the SPRINT initiative, the Navy aims to induct: (a) 50 new platforms (b) 60 foreign systems (c) 75 indigenous technologies (d) 100 private shipyards 14. The Warship-grade steel used for Indian warships was jointly developed by: (a) DRDO and HAL (b) DRDO, SAIL and Indian Navy (c) BHEL and ISRO (d) L&T and BEL 15. Which statement best describes the Indian Navy’s transformation? (a) From Coastal Navy to International Navy (b) From Merchant Navy to Combat Navy (c) From Buyer’s Navy to Builder’s Navy (d) From Allied Navy to Neutral Navy