Critical Mineral Recycling Scheme: 58 Companies Eligible

58 companies eligible under ₹1,500 crore critical mineral recycling scheme

Asked by UPSCPrelims 20261 PYQ

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Prelims 2026Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ?Solve with answer

Battle Brief

The Mines Ministry has found 58 companies eligible under the ₹1,500 crore Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling, part of the National Critical Mineral Mission. They pledged about 850 KTPA of recycling capacity and about ₹5,000 crore of investment, covering battery recycling, e-waste and other waste. Project execution is the next stage.

Fact File

Scheme: Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling
Outlay: ₹1,500 crore, under the National Critical Mineral Mission
Notified: 2 October 2025
Eligible: 58 companies (20 on 30 March, 38 on 29 April 2026)
Pledged: about 850 KTPA capacity; about ₹5,000 crore
Evaluator: JNARDDC as Project Management Agency

In the news

The critical mineral recycling scheme: what happened?

India imports most critical minerals like lithium and cobalt. Old batteries, e-waste and scrap hold these minerals. Recycling them at home cuts imports and supports clean energy industries.

Sources targeted: lithium-ion batteries, e-waste and industrial scrap.
Applications were open from 2 October 2025 to 1 April 2026.
The Executive Committee approved the eligible list.
Support will be linked to capacity built and production started.

Back Story

What is the National Critical Mineral Mission?

The umbrella mission under which this ₹1,500 crore recycling scheme runs, to secure critical minerals for India.

Why examiners care

Why does the critical mineral recycling scheme matter?

Economic: Less import dependence for battery and electronics makers.
Environment: A circular economy: waste becomes a resource.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on the critical mineral recycling scheme?

Recycling scheme outlay ₹1,500 crore; under NCMM.
PMA: Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Infrastructure: energy, ports, roads, airports, railways; investment models

As per PIB (2026-04-30): the Mines Ministry found 58 companies eligible under the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling (₹1,500 crore, under the National Critical Mineral Mission).
Recycling gives India critical minerals it does not have to mine or import, which is the circular economy at work.

Quotable data point
The Mines Ministry found 58 companies eligible under the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling (₹1,500 crore, under the National Critical Mineral Mission).
PIB: Mines: critical mineral recycling, 30 Apr 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

The Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling (₹1,500 crore) is implemented under

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB (Mines), 30 April 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

What is the critical mineral recycling scheme?

A ₹1,500 crore incentive scheme under the National Critical Mineral Mission to build recycling capacity for critical minerals from batteries, e-waste and scrap.

How many companies are eligible?

58 companies, with pledged capacity of about 850 KTPA and investment of about ₹5,000 crore.

What happens next under the scheme?

Project execution. Support is given as the companies build capacity and start production.