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The Geological Survey of India (GSI) aims to undertake 300 critical and strategic mineral exploration projects during the 2025-26 field season.
This initiative highlights India's strategic focus on bolstering domestic availability of essential minerals vital for economic growth and technological advancement.
GSI plays a crucial role as the nation's premier agency for geological mapping and identifying valuable mineral resources.
India's principal national organization for geological mapping, mineral resource assessment, geotechnical investigations, and fundamental earth science research.
Critical minerals are those essential for a nation's economic and national security, whose supply chains are vulnerable to disruption. They are vital for high-tech industries, green energy transition, and defence. Strategic minerals are often a subset of critical minerals, specifically important for defence and advanced technological applications, where self-sufficiency is a key national goal. Examples include Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, Rare Earth Elements, Graphite, and Titanium. India recently identified 30 such critical minerals.
Simple Analogy: Imagine these minerals as the 'specialized components' required for building advanced gadgets or defence systems. Without a reliable supply of these components, a country cannot independently develop or sustain its high-tech industries and national security infrastructure.
This policy aims to promote exploration and exploitation of minerals, attract private investment, and ensure sustainable development, aligning with the current focus on critical minerals.
Critical minerals like Lithium, Cobalt, and Nickel are fundamental components for EV batteries and various renewable energy technologies (e.g., magnets for wind turbines, solar panel components).
Reducing import dependence for critical minerals directly supports the 'self-reliant India' mission by strengthening the domestic industrial base and ensuring resource security.
GS-I (Geography - Mineral Resources), GS-III (Economy - Industrial Policy, Energy Security, Infrastructure)
General Awareness (Indian Geography, Government Bodies)
General Awareness (Economy, Government Schemes)
General Awareness (Indian Geography, Science & Technology)
General Awareness (National Security, Strategic Resources)
Which of the following are associated with 'Planning' in India? 1. The Finance Commission 2. The National Development Council 3. The Union Ministry of Rural Development 4. The Union Ministry of Urban Development 5. The Parliament Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer: 2 and 5 only
Consider the following statements: 1. India has more arable area than China. 2. The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China. 3. The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China. How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: Only two
With reference to India's projects on connectivity, consider the following statements: 1. East-West Corridor under Golden Quadrilateral Project connects Dibrugarh and Surat. 2. Trilateral Highway connects Moreh in Manipur and Chiang Mai in Thailand via Myanmar. 3. Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor connects Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh with Kunming in China. How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: None
High, especially given the global push for energy transition and supply chain resilience, making critical minerals a recurring theme in current affairs.
Minerals essential for modern technologies and economy, with high supply risk.
Minerals vital for national security and defence applications.
India's principal agency for geological studies and mineral resource assessment.