Archive · 10 Oct 2026
India Nears Policy for Strategic Critical Mineral Stockpiles
India is preparing a plan to keep supplies of important minerals in reserve.
These minerals are used to make things such as batteries, electronics and equipment for defence.
Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra said the policy may be finished in about a month.
The government is considering keeping enough minerals to cover as much as six months of demand.
It has not yet decided exactly which minerals to store or how the reserves will be bought.
The National Critical Minerals Mission has set aside Rs 500 crore for the effort.
India is also developing four parks to process minerals within the country.
These steps are meant to help industries keep working if overseas supplies are disrupted.
Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra said the government expects to finalise a critical-mineral stockpiling policy within about a month.
The proposed reserves are intended to protect industries including defence, aerospace, electronics, electric vehicles, batteries and renewable energy from supply disruptions.
The government is considering stockpiles covering up to six months of demand, compared with an earlier proposal for a two-month reserve initially focused on rare earths.
The final reserve duration, minerals covered, stockpile size and procurement method have not been decided.
The National Critical Minerals Mission has earmarked Rs 500 crore for a buffer, while four processing parks are being developed in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
- Who
- The Indian government; Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra announced the expected timeline.
- What
- A policy to create strategic stockpiles of critical minerals is expected to be finalised.
- When
- About a month from the announcement at the India Mines and Minerals Conclave 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To reduce vulnerability to global supply disruptions and import dependence, and help ensure minerals remain available to domestic industries.
Earlier reserve proposal
Current proposal under consideration
Stockpile duration and initial scope
Earlier reserve proposal
An earlier proposal envisaged a two-month reserve focused initially on rare earth elements.
Current proposal under consideration
The government is now considering stockpiles covering up to six months of demand; the final duration and minerals to be included remain undecided.
- Expected policy timeline
- Within about a month, according to Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra.
- Potential stockpile coverage
- The government is considering up to six months of demand.
- Earlier proposal
- A two-month reserve initially focused on rare earth elements.
- Mission allocation
- Rs 500 crore under the National Critical Minerals Mission.
- Critical minerals identified
- More than 30.
- Processing parks
- Four are being developed in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
- Minerals for processing parks
- Rare earths, lithium, nickel, titanium and zirconium.