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Key Points

The Ministry of Mines has recognised seven premier institutes as Centres of Excellence under the National Critical Mineral Mission. These CoEs will drive research in critical minerals essential for clean energy, defence, and advanced tech sectors. The institutes will operate on a Hub & Spoke model, collaborating with over 80 industry and academic partners. Funding will come from government schemes, private investors, and industry stakeholders.

Key Points: 7 IITs and R&D Labs Named Centres of Excellence for Critical Minerals

  • 4 IITs and 3 R&D labs selected as CoEs under NCMM
  • Focus on clean energy, defence, and tech supply chains
  • Hub & Spoke model with 80+ industry and academic partners
  • Funded by govt schemes, industry, and venture investors
2 min read

Govt recognises 7 Centres of Excellence to work under National Critical Mineral Mission

Govt designates 7 premier institutes under NCMM to boost research in critical minerals for clean energy, defence, and tech sectors.

"The CoEs will undertake innovative research to strengthen India’s science and tech capability in critical minerals. – Ministry of Mines"

New Delhi, Aug 1

The Ministry of Mines on Friday said it has recognised seven institutes – 4 IITs and 3 R&D Labs – as Centres of Excellence (CoE) under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).

The recognition of CoEs in an important step for fulfilling a key objective of the NCMM, which is research and technology development in critical minerals.

Critical raw materials form the crucial supply chain for emerging sectors of clean energy and mobility transition, in addition to advanced technology and strategic sectors like electronics, defence, space, etc.

In order to develop, demonstrate and deploy technologies in an end-to-end systems approach, it is essential to conduct R&D so as to reach higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), of TRL 7/8 pilot plant and pre-commercial demonstration.

The CoEs will undertake innovative and transformational research to strengthen and advance the nation’s science and technology capability in the area of critical minerals. The CoEs will be funded on a project basis by various government R&D schemes, industry and venture investors, said the ministry.

The institutes/labs are IIT Bombay; IIT Hyderabad; IIT-ISM Dhanbad; IIT Roorkee; CSIR–IMMT, Bhubaneswar; CSIR–NML, Jamshedpur; and NFTDC, Hyderabad.

Each CoE will operate as a consortium, on a Hub & Spoke model, to leverage R&D in critical minerals and pooling the core competence of each constituent under one umbrella.

The CoE (Hub Institute) was mandated as per the CoE guidelines to bring in at least two industry partners and at least two R&D/ academic partners in the consortium.

The seven recognized CoEs have together brought in around 80 industry and academic/ R&D spokes.

“As part of the process to recognise CoEs, the Ministry had earlier called for proposals from eligible institutes, and had undertaken an elaborate two-tier evaluation and approval process,” said the ministry.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good initiative but implementation is key. Hope these centers don't become another bureaucratic setup. We need results before China dominates this sector completely.
R
Rohit P
Finally some focus on critical minerals! Our EV and renewable energy sectors will benefit greatly. Though I wish more private universities were included in this mission.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in clean energy sector, this is music to my ears! The 80 industry-academic partnerships show serious intent. Hope they publish regular progress reports.
K
Karthik V
Why only IITs and CSIR labs? There are excellent state universities and private institutes doing great work in mineral research. Government should be more inclusive.
N
Nisha Z
Great step for Atmanirbhar Bharat! 👏 But hope they focus on environmental aspects too while mining and processing these critical minerals. Sustainability is equally important.
V
Vikram M
The defense applications alone make this mission crucial. With tensions at borders, we can't rely on foreign suppliers for strategic materials. Better late than never!

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