Industry stakeholders have welcomed the official launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), describing it as a pivotal move in India’s pursuit of secure, sustainable, and globally competitive access to essential minerals. The initiative follows the Union Budget 2024–25 announcement by the Finance Minister, signalling a shift toward a mission-mode approach to industrial policy focused on advanced and strategic technologies.
Critical minerals are vital for a wide range of applications, including semiconductors, telecom equipment, medical electronics, precision tools, batteries, and clean energy technologies. Further, as global supply chains remain susceptible to geopolitical risks and trade restrictions, the NCMM is seen as a timely intervention to strengthen India’s industrial base and national resilience.
Furthermore, with India aiming for $500 billion in electronics production by financial year 2031, the mission is viewed as a long-term strategic imperative to build a secure and self-reliant critical minerals ecosystem.
