Prelims 2025 · Economy · Question 36
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?
Answer
I and III only
I. Correct. India was inducted into the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) as a member/partner in 2023.
II. Incorrect. India identified 30 critical minerals, but it is not resource-rich in all of them; for several, India is import-dependent or has limited reserves.
III. Correct. The MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 empowered the Central Government to exclusively auction mining leases and composite licences for certain critical and strategic minerals.
Hence, statements I and III only are correct.