Centre Begins Review of the National Mineral Policy, 2019 with a Focus on Critical Minerals
The Union Ministry of Mines has started a review of the National Mineral Policy (NMP), 2019, the main policy document that guides mining in India.
A nine-member committee has been set up for the review. It is expected to give its recommendations within two months of its formation.
The review aims to update the policy for new priorities, especially critical minerals (like lithium, cobalt and rare earths), recycling of minerals and deep-sea mineral resources.
Since 2019, the mining law (the MMDR Act, 1957) has been amended several times, in 2021, 2023 and 2025. The policy has not been updated to match these changes.
Experts say a revised policy is needed to raise India's mineral output and attract more investment into exploration and mining.
National Mineral Policy, 2019
The National Mineral Policy, 2019 is the Government of India's main policy statement on how the country should find, mine and use its minerals. It is not a law. It is a guiding document that tells the Centre and the states what goals to aim for and what kind of laws and rules to make. It was approved by the Union Cabinet on 28 February 2019 and replaced the earlier National Mineral Policy of 2008.
NMP 2019 was written before India's big push on critical minerals, the 2023 and 2025 MMDR amendments and the National Critical Mineral Mission. The new nine-member committee will update the policy so that it matches these laws and gives clear direction on critical minerals, recycling and offshore mining.
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, or MMDR Act, is India's main law on mining (other than oil, gas and atomic minerals, which have separate laws). It sets the rules on who can search for and mine minerals, for how long, how rights are given and what payments miners make. The Centre makes the law under Entry 54 of the Union List, but state governments grant most mining rights and collect royalty.
The policy under review must now catch up with the MMDR Act, which has changed three times since 2019. The new policy is expected to guide the next round of changes in this law.
Critical Minerals: Meaning, India's List and Global Supply Chains
Critical minerals are minerals a country badly needs for its economy and security, but whose supply is at risk because they are scarce, found in only a few countries, or processed mainly by one country. They are used in EV batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, chips and defence equipment. Lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and rare earth elements are common examples.
Critical minerals are the main reason for the policy review. The 2019 policy did not treat them as a separate priority, but they are now central to India's energy transition and supply-chain security.
- Policy under review: National Mineral Policy, 2019 (approved by Cabinet on 28 February 2019)
- Review committee: nine members; recommendations due within two months of its formation
- Focus areas: critical minerals, recycling, deep-sea resources
- Earlier policies: 1993 and 2008
- NMP 2019 trigger: Supreme Court in Common Cause v. Union of India (2017)
- MMDR Act amended in 2015, 2021, 2023 and 2025
- India's critical minerals list: 30 minerals; 24 in Part D, First Schedule
- National Critical Mineral Mission: ₹16,300 crore (government) + ₹18,000 crore (PSUs etc.), 2024-25 to 2030-31