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Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Resilience

PYQs

3

Articles

1

Momentum

11

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Critical minerals and supply chain resilience are crucial for India's economic security, energy transition, technological advancement, and strategic autonomy. UPSC examines India's strategies to secure these resources and build resilient supply networks.

Critical minerals are essential for modern technologies, renewable energy, and defence industries, but their supply chains are often concentrated and vulnerable to geopolitical risks. Supply Chain Resilience refers to the ability of a supply chain to withstand and recover from disruptions, ensuring continuous availability of essential goods and materials.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Strategic Importance

Critical minerals (e.g., rare earths, lithium, cobalt) are vital for emerging technologies like EVs, semiconductors, and clean energy, making their secure supply a national priority.

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Global supply chains for many critical minerals are dominated by a few countries, leading to potential market distortions and geopolitical leverage.

India-Australia Cooperation

Australia is a major source of critical minerals, and cooperation with India aims to secure supplies for India's renewable energy and manufacturing sectors.

Multilateral Initiatives

India is part of initiatives like the India-Japan-Australia Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) to diversify sources and reduce dependence on single suppliers for critical goods.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Economy
Conceptual areaInternational Relations

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI)Promotes diversified supply chains
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Essential for EVs, semiconductors, clean energy
  • Concentrated supply chains, geopolitical risks
  • India-Australia cooperation for critical minerals
  • SCRI (India-Japan-Australia) for diversification
  • Ensures economic security & energy transition

High-confidence PYQs

2025Statement-based questions, Factual recall

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 cri...

EconomyOpen question
2019Factual recall

Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

EconomyOpen question

Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

EconomyOpen question
2019Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

EconomyOpen question

Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

EconomyOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian EconomyInternational Relations
Prelims 2019· Factual recall

Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

Open question

Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

Open question
Prelims 2019· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

Open question

Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

Open question
Prelims 2025· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

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 cri...

Open question

Beyond three Cs, the new lexicon of India-Australia ties

08 Jul 2026 · Critical minerals are vital for modern industries, but their concentrated supply chains pose risks. India is actively pursuing bilateral (e.g., with Australia) and multilateral (e.g., SCRI) strategies to secure critical mineral supplies and enhance supply chain resilience.

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Related topics

Current topic

Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Resilience

Often confused with

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and India's Trade Policy

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 3 linked questions on Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Resilience in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

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