NITI Aayog and TexMin sign agreement to strengthen critical mineral ecosystem

According to a PIB Ahmedabad report, NITI Aayog and TexMin have signed a joint memorandum of understanding to strengthen India's critical mineral ecosystem. This memorandum of understanding was signed during NITI Aayog Member Professor Govardhan Das's visit to IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. TexMin is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, located at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. The main objective of this collaboration is to advance indigenous technological capabilities, promote research and innovation, and support the development of a resilient and sustainable critical mineral value chain based in India.

This initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) and the vision of a self-reliant and developed India. Professor Govardhan Das inaugurated a national symposium on Critical Minerals and Rare Earths (CMRE 2026) held on October 31, 2026, as part of the 45th Annual National Conference of the Indian Chemical Society at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. Addressing the symposium, Professor Das highlighted the strategic importance of critical minerals for national security, technological self-reliance, and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Citing India's rich metallurgical heritage, Professor Das emphasized the need to build indigenous technological capabilities through research, innovation, and industry collaboration. He stressed moving beyond a mere mining-centric approach towards an integrated value chain encompassing exploration, processing, refining, advanced materials, and recycling. Professor Das also highlighted the potential to recover critical minerals from secondary resources such as coal fly ash, red mud, mine tailings, and electronic waste, while emphasizing the importance of translating research into commercially viable technologies and promoting sustainable resource utilization.

The joint memorandum of understanding between NITI Aayog and TexMin envisions collaboration in four key areas, including collaborative research and technological development, technical and strategic studies, policy and institutional support, and capacity building and knowledge exchange. The aim of this collaboration is to strengthen indigenous capabilities, facilitate technological transformation, and promote strong linkages between the government, academic institutions, research organizations, and industry.

Policymakers, researchers, technology developers, and industry representatives gathered at this symposium to deliberate on measures to strengthen India's critical minerals and rare earths ecosystem. This initiative is expected to contribute to efforts to build India's resilient critical mineral supply chain and advance technological self-reliance.