India’s National Critical Mineral Mission: Seven Centres of Excellence to Drive R&D Innovation

By Metals Minerals Publication Last updated Aug 5, 2025

Ministry of Mines announced the recognition of seven premier institutes as Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), a landmark initiative launched in January 2025 to secure India’s critical mineral supply chain and reduce import dependency. The selected institutes—four Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and three research and development (R&D) laboratories—include IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, IIT-ISM Dhanbad, IIT Roorkee, CSIR-IMMT Bhubaneswar, CSIR-NML Jamshedpur, and NFTDC Hyderabad. This move, approved by the Project Approval and Advisory Committee (PAAC) on July 31, 2025, marks a significant step toward advancing research and technology development in critical minerals, essential for India’s clean energy transition, national security, and economic growth. This article explores the role of these CoEs, their operational model, the broader objectives of the NCMM, and the transformative potential of this initiative for India’s critical minerals ecosystem.

The National Critical Mineral Mission: A Strategic Imperative

Launched in January 2025 with a total outlay of Rs 34,300 crore over seven years (2024–2031), the NCMM aims to establish India as a self-reliant hub for critical minerals, which are vital for high-tech industries, clean energy technologies, and strategic sectors like electronics, defense, and space. The mission, approved by the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, includes Rs 16,300 crore from the central government and an expected Rs 18,000 crore from public sector undertakings (PSUs) like Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), Coal India Limited (CIL), and Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL). Administered by the Ministry of Mines and coordinated by an Empowered Committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, the NCMM adopts a whole-of-government approach, integrating ministries, PSUs, private companies, and research institutions to achieve its goals.

Critical minerals—such as lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements (REEs), graphite, and titanium—are essential for technologies like electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, wind turbines, semiconductors, and defense systems. India’s heavy reliance on imports, particularly from China (which controls 60% of global REE production and 80% of processing), exposes it to supply chain vulnerabilities. The NCMM addresses this through:

Domestic Exploration: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is tasked with conducting 1,200 exploration projects by 2030–31, with 195 underway in 2024–25 and 227 planned for 2025–26.
International Collaboration: KABIL has acquired 15,703 hectares in Catamarca, Argentina, for lithium exploration, and India is forging ties with mineral-rich countries like Australia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Policy Reforms: The 2023 amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, grants the central government authority to auction 24 of the 30 identified critical minerals, including bismuth, cobalt, and lithium. The 2024–25 Union Budget eliminated customs duties on 25 critical minerals to boost domestic processing.
Recycling and Processing: The mission promotes recovery from mining waste and end-of-life products, with plans for mineral processing parks and a national stockpile to mitigate supply disruptions.

The Role of Centres of Excellence

The recognition of seven CoEs is a cornerstone of the NCMM’s R&D pillar, aimed at fostering innovative and transformational research to achieve high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 7/8), which include pilot plants and pre-commercial demonstrations. These CoEs are designed to strengthen India’s science and technology capabilities across the critical mineral value chain—exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, and recycling. The institutes selected are:

IIT Bombay (Maharashtra): Known for its expertise in materials science and engineering, IIT Bombay will lead advanced research in mineral processing and sustainable technologies.
IIT Hyderabad (Telangana): Focused on cutting-edge technologies like AI-driven exploration and green processing, IIT Hyderabad brings innovation to the mineral sector.
IIT-ISM Dhanbad (Jharkhand): With its legacy in mining and mineral engineering, IIT-ISM Dhanbad will spearhead exploration and extraction technologies.
IIT Roorkee (Uttarakhand): Renowned for its engineering research, IIT Roorkee will contribute to beneficiation and recycling innovations.
CSIR-IMMT Bhubaneswar (Odisha): The Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology will focus on mineral processing and sustainable extraction methods.
CSIR-NML Jamshedpur (Jharkhand): The National Metallurgical Laboratory will advance metallurgical research for critical minerals like cobalt and nickel.
NFTDC Hyderabad (Telangana): The Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre will drive R&D in non-ferrous minerals like titanium and rare earths.

Each CoE operates under a hub-and-spoke model, functioning as a consortium that includes at least two industry partners and two R&D or academic institutions. Collectively, the seven CoEs have onboarded approximately 80 partners, creating a robust national network for collaboration. Funding for these CoEs will come from government R&D schemes, industry contributions, and venture investors, with Rs 500 crore allocated for domestic R&D and another Rs 500 crore for international collaborations by 2031.

Strategic Importance of the CoEs

The CoEs are tasked with addressing critical challenges in the mineral sector, including:

Technological Innovation: Developing advanced exploration techniques, such as AI-based geological modeling, and green processing methods to reduce environmental impact.
Domestic Processing Capacity: India lacks advanced separation technologies for REEs and other minerals. The CoEs will work to bridge this gap, reducing reliance on foreign processing (e.g., China’s 80% dominance in REE processing).
Industry-Academia Synergy: The hub-and-spoke model ensures that research translates into practical applications through industry partnerships, fostering technologies like battery recycling and mineral recovery from tailings.
Global Competitiveness: By achieving TRL 7/8, the CoEs aim to position India as a leader in critical mineral technologies, supporting sectors like EVs, renewable energy, and defense.

The CoEs were selected through a rigorous two-tier evaluation process following a call for proposals by the Ministry of Mines. The PAAC, co-chaired by V.L. Kantha Rao (Secretary, Ministry of Mines) and Prof. Abhay Karandikar (Secretary, Department of Science & Technology), ensured that only institutes with proven expertise and collaborative potential were recognized.

Broader Context: India’s Critical Mineral Challenges

India’s critical mineral sector faces several hurdles, which the CoEs and NCMM aim to address:

Import Dependency: India relies heavily on imports for minerals like lithium (82% from China), bismuth (85.6%), and graphite (42.4%), as per a 2024 Takshashila Institution study. Geopolitical risks, such as China’s 2024 export bans on gallium and germanium to the US, underscore the urgency of self-reliance.
Exploration Challenges: Many critical minerals are deep-seated, requiring high-risk investments and advanced technologies. The GSI’s 368 exploration projects since 2021, including 35 in Rajasthan for REEs, highlight progress but also the scale of the task.
Environmental Concerns: Mining and processing have significant environmental footprints, leading to local protests. The CoEs will prioritize sustainable methods to mitigate these impacts.
Low Private Investment: Regulatory and financial barriers deter private sector participation. The NCMM’s fast-track approvals and financial incentives aim to attract investment.
Recycling Gaps: India’s e-waste recycling ecosystem is underdeveloped, limiting recovery of critical minerals. The CoEs will support research into recycling technologies.

The NCMM’s international strategy, including KABIL’s lithium projects in Argentina and talks with African nations for cobalt and copper, complements the CoEs’ domestic focus, creating a dual approach to secure supply chains.

Implications for India’s Economy and Security

The establishment of these CoEs has far-reaching implications:

Economic Growth: The critical mineral sector is projected to attract significant domestic and foreign investment, creating jobs in exploration, engineering, and processing. The NCMM’s Rs 34,300 crore outlay is expected to boost MSMEs and startups in the clean-tech value chain.
National Security: Minerals like rare earths, titanium, and tungsten are critical for defense applications (e.g., missile systems, radar). Reducing import dependency strengthens India’s strategic autonomy.
Clean Energy Transition: Critical minerals are the backbone of EVs, solar panels, and wind turbines. The CoEs will drive innovations to support India’s 2070 net-zero goal.
Global Leadership: By developing advanced technologies, India aims to compete with countries like China, the US, and Australia, which have their own critical mineral strategies.

The CoEs’ hub-and-spoke model fosters collaboration across academia, industry, and government, ensuring that research translates into scalable solutions. For instance, IIT-ISM Dhanbad’s expertise in mining could lead to breakthroughs in lithium exploration, while CSIR-NML Jamshedpur’s metallurgical research could enhance cobalt processing.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges

Funding Sustainability: While Rs 1,000 crore is allocated for R&D, securing consistent industry and venture capital funding for high-risk projects remains a challenge.
Technological Gaps: India lags in advanced processing technologies, requiring significant investment in R&D to catch up with global leaders like China.
Regulatory Hurdles: The cancellation of critical mineral block auctions in December 2024 due to insufficient exploration data highlights the need for better preliminary surveys.
Environmental Pushback: Balancing mining expansion with environmental sustainability will require innovative solutions from the CoEs.

Opportunities

Global Partnerships: The NCMM’s outreach forum, launched in June 2025, facilitates collaboration with countries like Australia and Canada, enhancing technology transfer.
Policy Support: Duty exemptions on 25 critical minerals and incentives for recycling create a favorable ecosystem for CoE-led innovations.
Skilling and Innovation: The CoEs will train a new generation of researchers and engineers, building a skilled workforce for the mineral sector.
Strategic Reserves: The NCMM’s plan for a national stockpile, backed by Rs 500 crore, will mitigate supply disruptions, with CoEs supporting stockpile technologies.

Future Outlook

The seven CoEs are poised to transform India’s critical mineral landscape by 2031, aligning with the NCMM’s timeline. Their focus on high-TRL research will drive pilot projects and pre-commercial demonstrations, such as lithium battery recycling plants or REE processing facilities. The hub-and-spoke model, with its 80 industry and academic partners, ensures a collaborative ecosystem that can fast-track innovation. For instance, IIT Hyderabad’s AI-driven exploration could optimize GSI’s 1,200 planned projects, while NFTDC Hyderabad’s work on non-ferrous minerals could enhance titanium production for aerospace.

The CoEs’ success will depend on sustained funding, regulatory streamlining, and industry adoption of their technologies. The NCMM’s broader initiatives, like mineral processing parks and offshore exploration for polymetallic nodules, will complement the CoEs’ efforts, creating a holistic value chain. As India navigates geopolitical risks, such as China’s dominance and resource nationalism in countries like Argentina, the CoEs will play a critical role in building resilience and self-reliance.

The recognition of seven Centres of Excellence under the National Critical Mineral Mission on August 1, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in India’s quest for self-reliance in critical minerals. By leveraging the expertise of IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, IIT-ISM Dhanbad, IIT Roorkee, CSIR-IMMT Bhubaneswar, CSIR-NML Jamshedpur, and NFTDC Hyderabad, the NCMM aims to revolutionize R&D across the critical mineral value chain. Operating under a hub-and-spoke model with 80 partners, these CoEs will drive innovative technologies, reduce import dependency, and support India’s clean energy and national security goals. As the NCMM progresses with its Rs 34,300 crore outlay, the CoEs will be instrumental in positioning India as a global leader in critical minerals, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for its economy and strategic interests.