- Why in news
- On 30 April 2026 the Ministry of Mines said 58 companies have been approved as eligible under the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling. The Executive Committee cleared 20 on 30 March 2026 and 38 on 29 April 2026.
- What it is
- The Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling is a ₹1,500 crore scheme under the National Critical Mineral Mission. It supports domestic recycling of critical minerals from lithium-ion batteries, e-waste and industrial scrap. The aim is to cut import dependence and support clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
- Outlay and parent mission
- The scheme has an outlay of ₹1,500 crore and sits under the National Critical Mineral Mission.
- Feedstock covered
- It targets recovery of critical minerals from lithium-ion batteries, e-waste and industrial scrap.
- Project Management Agency
- Proposals were evaluated by the PMA, the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre.
- Approving body
- The Executive Committee approved 58 eligible entities: 20 on 30.03.2026 and 38 on 29.04.2026.
- Pledged capacity and investment
- The eligible firms have pledged about 850 KTPA capacity and about ₹5,000 crore investment.
- Application window
- Applications were open from 2 October 2025 to 1 April 2026.
Don’t confuse with Eligibility vs incentive: Approval as eligible only allows participation. Financial support is considered at the next stage, after capacity is built and production starts.
Don’t confuse with National Critical Mineral Mission vs this scheme: The Mission is the wider programme. This ₹1,500 crore recycling scheme is one component under it.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Recycling builds a domestic secondary source of critical minerals and lowers import dependence.
- It supports a circular economy and clean energy and advanced manufacturing supply chains.
Problems
- Feedstock collection is hard, as much e-waste and battery scrap is handled by the informal sector.
- Pledged capacity and investment may not turn into working plants, and recycling technology and costs are hurdles.
Way forward
- Formalise collection of end-of-life batteries and e-waste, with traceability.
- Track project execution closely and release incentives against actual production.
Put in your answer
Scheme outlay: ₹1,500 crore recycling scheme under the National Critical Mineral Mission, notified 2 October 2025.
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UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A lasting scheme under the National Critical Mineral Mission with outlay and eligibility facts. Release is an eligibility milestone, so a question is less likely.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.