🧷 Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

📌 The Question:

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?

(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III

✅ Correct Answer: (c) I and III only

🧠 Curiosity Raiser

Why is India racing to secure minerals it does not fully possess within its own soil?
Because energy transition, EVs, semiconductors, and defence depend not on oil alone, but on critical minerals geopolitics.

📘 Enrichment Notes (Prelims Sharp)

🔹 Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)

• India became the 14th member in June 2023
• Other members include:
  USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Republic of Korea, and the European Commission
• Objective:
  • Secure critical mineral supply chains
  • Reduce over-dependence on a few countries
  • Support economic security and climate goals

✅ Statement I is correct

🔹 India & Critical Minerals

• In November 2022, India identified 30 critical minerals
• However, India does NOT have proven reserves for all
• Heavy import dependence for:
  • Lithium
  • Cobalt
  • Nickel
  • Vanadium

❌ Statement II is incorrect

🔹 MMDR Amendment Act, 2023

• Empowers Central Government to:
  • Exclusively auction Mining Leases (ML)
  • Auction Composite Licences (PL-cum-ML)
• Applies to critical & strategic minerals listed in Part D of First Schedule of MMDR Act

✅ Statement III is correct

🧘‍♂️ IAS Monk Whisper

The future will not be mined by strength alone, but by foresight and partnerships.