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?

1. A

   I and II only

   I and II only. II fails: several of the 30 critical minerals are import-heavy (lithium, cobalt, nickel, etc.).

2. B

   II and III only

   II and III only. Drops MSP membership, which holds.

3. C

   I and III only

   I and III only. India is an MSP member. The MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 empowers the Centre to auction mining leases and composite licences for specified critical minerals. II is false.

4. D

   I, II and III

   All three. II is the over-claim.

Summary. Official key is (c) I and III only. India joined the Minerals Security Partnership, and the 2023 MMDR amendment lets the Centre auction specified critical minerals. India is not resource-rich in all 30 identified critical minerals — II is the trap. (a) keeps II; (b) drops I; (d) all three.