Develop rare earths and strategic mineral exploration, processing and manufacturing

The promise was to support rare earth and strategic mineral exploration, build international partnerships, and support processing and final-product manufacturing. Official evidence shows substantial movement through the National Critical Mineral Mission, which targets 1,200 domestic exploration projects, overseas mineral acquisition, recycling, processing parks, centres of excellence and critical mineral stockpiles. For rare earth manufacturing specifically, the Union Cabinet approved a Rs 7,280 crore scheme to create 6,000 MTPA integrated Rare Earth Permanent Magnet manufacturing capacity, and the Ministry of Heavy Industries later issued a global tender for beneficiary selection. Parliament reporting also confirms auctions of critical mineral blocks including rare earth element blocks, pilot support for REE separation from multiple feedstocks, and creation of KABIL for overseas mineral assets. However, industrial-scale midstream and downstream rare-earth manufacturing remains under development and the REPM scheme is still in tender or setup stage, so the promise is on track rather than fulfilled. Budget: NCMM has a Rs 16,300 crore central outlay and the REPM manufacturing scheme has a Rs 7,280 crore outlay; utilisation and operating capacity evidence for final-product manufacturing is not yet available.