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India pursues overseas lithium blocks for critical mineral security
ਖ਼ਬਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਉਂ?
India is hunting lithium abroad: the Ministry of Mines list every GS3 aspirant must know
India is negotiating overseas lithium blocks to secure critical mineral supplies for clean-energy manufacturing.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2025; GS-3 core
What you need to know
2 ਮਿੰਟ
India is negotiating access to overseas lithium blocks in Australia and Chile, and exploring further opportunities in Argentina, as part of its strategy to secure critical mineral supplies for battery and clean-energy manufacturing.
Lithium is a key input for electric-vehicle batteries and features on the Ministry of Mines' list of critical minerals.
ਸਰੋਤ: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
ਮੁੱਖ ਤੱਥ
Remember these
- India is negotiating overseas lithium blocks in Australia and Chile
- India is exploring further lithium opportunities in Argentina
- Lithium is a key input for electric-vehicle batteries
- Lithium features on the Ministry of Mines' list of critical minerals
ਪ੍ਰੀਲਿਮਜ਼ · ਮੇਨਜ਼
How the exam will ask it
ਪ੍ਰੀਲਿਮਜ਼
- Lithium is used primarily in the manufacture of electric-vehicle batteries.
- India is negotiating access to overseas lithium blocks in Australia and Chile.
- The Ministry of Mines has notified a list of critical minerals that includes lithium.
ਮੇਨਜ਼
GS Paper 3 - Economy: critical mineral security is central to India's clean-energy and EV manufacturing ambitions, prompting overseas acquisition of lithium blocks in Australia, Chile and Argentina under the Ministry of Mines' critical minerals list. The way forward lies in diversifying sourcing partnerships, boosting domestic exploration, and building recycling capacity to reduce import dependence.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
Consider the following statements: I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member. II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that it has identified. III. The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for certain critical minerals. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- I and II only
- II and III only
- I and III only
- I, II and III
ਜਵਾਬ ਵੇਖੋ
ਜਵਾਬ: C
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
With reference to India's critical mineral strategy, consider the following statements:
- Lithium is primarily used in the manufacture of electric-vehicle batteries.
- The Ministry of Mines has notified a list of critical minerals to reduce India's import dependence.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- Neither
- Both
ਜਵਾਬ ਵੇਖੋ
ਜਵਾਬ: B — Both statements are correct: lithium is a key EV-battery input, and the Ministry of Mines has notified a critical minerals list to guide domestic and overseas sourcing strategy.
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