The government is expected to announce its critical minerals stockpiling policy within a month to strengthen supply security for strategic sectors, including defence, advanced electronics and aerospace. Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra announced the government’s efforts to secure essential mineral resources for domestic industries. “We are on the verge of finalising the policy on stockpiling of critical minerals which will be announced in about a month’s time,” Chandra informed during the India Mines and Minerals Conclave 2026, organised by industry body Assocham. The proposed policy aims to ensure a reliable supply of critical minerals required for manufacturing, technological development and strategic applications.
Government Plans Four Critical Minerals Processing Parks
Alongside the stockpiling policy, the government plans to establish four dedicated critical minerals processing parks in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. According to the mines secretary, these parks will accelerate domestic mineral processing and value addition, particularly for materials used in battery manufacturing. The initiative is expected to strengthen India’s mineral processing ecosystem and reduce reliance on external supply chains.
More Than 30 Critical Minerals Identified
The government has identified more than 30 minerals as critical, considering the requirements of key sectors such as defence, agriculture, energy, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications. These minerals play an important role in industrial production, advanced technologies and national infrastructure. Securing their availability is therefore essential to support economic growth and strategic priorities.
Critical Minerals Support Clean Energy and Advanced Technologies
Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements are essential for clean energy technologies and electrification. They support the manufacturing of wind turbines, electricity transmission networks, electric vehicles and batteries. As demand for these materials increases, reliable access to critical minerals has become increasingly important for industrial development and the energy transition.
Policy Aims to Strengthen Domestic Supply Security
The proposed stockpiling policy and the planned processing parks represent key steps towards strengthening India’s critical minerals supply chain. Together, these initiatives aim to improve domestic processing capabilities, support value addition and ensure a more reliable supply of essential materials for industries that depend on them. As reported by knnindia.co.in, by developing strategic mineral reserves and expanding domestic processing infrastructure, the government seeks to improve India’s preparedness against potential supply disruptions and support the long-term growth of strategic and emerging industries.
