Cabinet fixes royalty for graphite, caesium, rubidium and zirconium
Asked by UPSCPrelims 20261 PYQ
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
What happened
- The Cabinet set royalty rates: caesium and rubidium 2% of the average sale price of the metal; zirconium 1%; graphite 2% (80%+ fixed carbon) or 4% (below 80%) [PIB].
- This is meant to help auctions of blocks with these minerals and the critical minerals found with them [PIB].
Background
- The decision is expected to unlock associated critical minerals in the blocks as well [PIB].
Why it matters
- Clear royalty rates remove a key uncertainty for bidders, which has held back critical mineral auctions.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2025-11-12): the Cabinet set royalty rates: caesium and rubidium 2% of the average sale price of the metal; zirconium 1%; graphite 2% (80%+ fixed carbon) or 4% (below 80%).
- Clear royalty rates remove a key uncertainty for bidders, which has held back critical mineral auctions.
Quotable data pointThe Cabinet set royalty rates: caesium and rubidium 2% of the average sale price of the metal.
PIB: Cabinet: Royalty rates of graphite, caesium, rubidium, zirconium, 12 Nov 2025
Exam angle
UPSC
Prelims: critical minerals uses.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Practice · UPSC
Royalty on high-grade graphite (80%+ fixed carbon)
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Royalty on zirconium
Answer (a) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Royalty on low-grade graphite (below 80% fixed carbon)
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB.
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Cabinet: Royalty rates of graphite, caesium, rubidium, zirconium, 12 Nov 2025
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending