Critical minerals key to energy and national security, says Science Minister
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UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
On 11 September 2026, at the 3rd Global Summit on Advanced Materials, Critical Minerals and Metals organised by CII in New Delhi, the Science and Technology Minister said critical minerals are key to India’s energy security, industrial competitiveness and national security. He called for capability across the value chain, from exploration to manufacturing, and set out five priorities.
- Date
- 11 Sep 2026
- Event
- 3rd Global Summit on Advanced Materials, Critical Minerals & Metals (CII)
- Venue
- India Habitat Centre, New Delhi
- Theme
- Building Resilient Value Chains for a Sustainable and Competitive Future
- Speaker
- Union MoS (Independent Charge), Science & Technology
Critical minerals and advanced materials: what happened?
Critical minerals go into batteries, solar panels, chips and defence equipment. Countries that lack them depend on others. The Minister argued India must build the full chain at home while partnering abroad.
- Minister called for a whole-of-nation approach and global partnerships to secure critical minerals and resilient value chains [PIB].
What five priorities did the Minister set?
- Heavy investment in research and innovation.
- Domestic capabilities to strengthen energy security.
- Deeper partnerships among stakeholders.
- Global and recycling models.
- A stronger culture of philanthropy for research.
What else did he point to?
- Opening of the nuclear sector to private players, with room for foreign investment.
- The RDI Fund, now in implementation, to draw private investment into strategic areas.
- Steel slag roads as an example of turning waste into a resource.
What can Prelims ask on critical minerals and advanced materials?
- 3rd Global Summit on Advanced Materials, Critical Minerals & Metals: organised by CII, New Delhi, September 2026.
- Value chain: exploration, extraction, refining, processing, engineering, manufacturing.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-09-11): minister called for a whole-of-nation approach and global partnerships to secure critical minerals and resilient value chains.
- Lithium, cobalt and rare earths underpin EVs, electronics and defence.
Quotable data pointMinister called for a whole-of-nation approach and global partnerships to secure critical minerals and resilient value chains.
PIB: Science & Technology: critical minerals and security, 11 Sep 2026
Exam angle
Mains: India's critical-mineral strategy and import dependence.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The 3rd Global Summit on Advanced Materials, Critical Minerals & Metals (2026) was organised by
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB, 11 Sep 2026.
Questions students ask about this
Why are critical minerals important for India?
The Minister said they are key to energy security, industrial competitiveness and national security.
Which body organised the summit?
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
What approach did the Minister call for?
A whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach, with industry as an integral partner.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Science & Technology: critical minerals and security, 11 Sep 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending