- The government has earmarked ₹2,814 crore to boost domestic processing capabilities for critical minerals like lithium and nickel. - The initiative aims to reduce import dependence, secure strategic supply chains for electric vehicle batteries, and support green energy transitions. - It addresses a major bottleneck in India's critical mineral strategy, which has traditionally focused on exploration and mining rather than value-addition and processing. - **National Critical Mineral Mission:** A strategic Central government initiative launched to secure and build domestic supply chains for essential clean-energy minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, mitigating import dependencies for green technology and electric vehicles. - **Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act:** India's principal legislation governing the mining sector, outlining rules for mineral concessions, exploration, and development of major minerals, with recent amendments empowering the Centre to auction critical mineral blocks. - **Ministry of Mines:** The nodal union ministry responsible for the survey, exploration, and regulation of mines and mineral resources in India, driving policies for critical minerals and sustainable mining practices. **Introduction** The Central government has earmarked ₹2,814 crore to incentivize and boost the domestic processing of critical minerals such as lithium and nickel. This financial allocation is designed to build domestic refining capacities, lower import dependency for green tech and electric vehicle supply chains, and complement overarching frameworks like the National Critical Mineral Mission. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The government has earmarked ₹2,814 crore to boost domestic processing capabilities for critical minerals like lithium and nickel. - The initiative aims to reduce import dependence, secure strategic supply chains for electric vehicle batteries, and support green energy transitions. - It addresses a major bottleneck in India's critical mineral strategy, which has traditionally focused on exploration and mining rather than value-addition and processing. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **National Critical Mineral Mission:** A strategic Central government initiative launched to secure and build domestic supply chains for essential clean-energy minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, mitigating import dependencies for green technology and electric vehicles. - **Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act:** India's principal legislation governing the mining sector, outlining rules for mineral concessions, exploration, and development of major minerals, with recent amendments empowering the Centre to auction critical mineral blocks. - **Ministry of Mines:** The nodal union ministry responsible for the survey, exploration, and regulation of mines and mineral resources in India, driving policies for critical minerals and sustainable mining practices.