In a major fillip to India’s strategic mineral capabilities, the Union Ministry of Mines approved two Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for critical minerals research in Telangana — one at IIT-Hyderabad and the other at the Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC), Hyderabad.
Driving the National Critical Mineral Mission
These CoEs are part of the ₹16,300 crore National Critical Mineral Mission, launched in January 2025, aimed at reducing India’s heavy reliance on imported minerals and securing key raw materials essential for the country’s transition to clean energy, as well as for defence, electronics, and space technology sectors. To further bolster the mission, an additional ₹18,000 crore will be mobilised through Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). This will ensure robust support from both public and institutional fronts.
Telangana Among National Research Leaders
India will establish seven CoEs — four in premier IITs (Hyderabad, Bombay, Dhanbad, and Roorkee) and three in top-tier research institutions (CSIR-IMMT, CSIR-NML, and NFTDC). This move positions Telangana as a key hub in the country’s critical mineral research landscape.
Government Investment in Innovation and Talent
To drive impactful research and long-term capability building, the Centre has earmarked ₹500 crore for targeted R&D grants and another ₹500 crore for developing a competitive talent pool in this high-priority area.
IIT-Hyderabad and NFTDC Already on the Fast Track
IIT-Hyderabad recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Coal India Ltd. to establish CLEANZ — a dedicated centre for research in clean and sustainable energy technologies. This initiative is expected to complement its critical mineral research efforts.
Meanwhile, NFTDC is already working on cutting-edge developments in compact electronics, rare-earth magnets, novel magnetometry techniques, and alternative magnet technologies. These innovations are crucial for India’s growing electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem and other high-tech manufacturing sectors.
Building Self-Reliance for a High-Tech Future
As reported by projectstoday.com, the government is undertaking several strategic initiatives. These efforts are strengthening domestic research capabilities and ensuring India is better positioned to meet global technological challenges with indigenous solutions. Telangana’s selection underscores its emerging role as a key player in India’s science and innovation-driven growth story.
