Why in news
- Ministry of Mines partnered with the Materials Recycling Association of India to establish a circular economy framework for secondary recovery of critical minerals.
Key terms
Urban Mining
The process of reclaiming raw materials, metals, and minerals from waste products and scrap produced by society.
Circular Economy
An economic model focused on minimizing resource consumption and waste through continuous reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling.
What is the critical minerals recycling ecosystem initiative?
- A strategic policy drive led by the Ministry of Mines to foster domestic recovery of critical and strategic minerals from End-of-Life products and electronic waste.
- Aims to reduce import dependency for minerals essential in clean energy technologies, defense electronics, semi-conductors, and advanced manufacturing.
Key focus areas
- Establishment of urban mining technologies and industrial-scale recycling facilities across India.
- Promoting public participation (Jan Bhagidari) in e-waste segregation and responsible disposal of technology hardware.
- Encouraging R&D collaboration between government agencies, recyclers, academic institutions, and startups for economic extraction of trace elements.
Why it matters
- Strengthens supply chain resilience for critical minerals against geopolitical disruptions and export curbs by primary producer countries.
- Mitigates environmental impacts associated with primary mining operations while advancing circular economic practices in heavy industry.
Prelims facts
- Secondary processing of e-waste and scrap is termed urban mining for critical mineral recovery.
- Ministry of Mines oversees both primary mineral development and secondary recycling frameworks.
Mains discussion
- Geopolitical security of critical supply chains and India's clean energy transition goals.
- Challenges and policy measures required to formalize India's electronic waste and recycling ecosystem.
Source: PIB
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2026 · Q95 · General Studies · 2 marks
Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct? 1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs). 2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India. 3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. 4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements. Select the answer using the code given below: -
2025 · Q9 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: Statement I: Circular economy reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases. Statement II: Circular economy reduces the use of raw materials as inputs. Statement III: Circular economy reduces wastage in the production process. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? -
2025 · Q6 · General Studies · 2 marks
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? -
2021 · Q31 · General Studies · 2 marks
With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements: 1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty. 2. It is the only circular temple built in India. 3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the -
2025 · Q89 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: Statement I: In India, State Governments have no power for making rules for grant of concessions in respect of extraction of minor minerals even though such minerals are located in their territories. Statement II: In India, the Central Government has the power to notify minor minerals under the relevant law. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?