The Ministry of Science & Technology has underscored the strategic importance of critical minerals for India’s energy security, industrial growth and national defence. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh made this statement while addressing the 3rd Global Summit on Advanced Materials, Critical Minerals, & Metals, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry in New Delhi on 11 September 2026.
What India Needs to Do
Dr Singh outlined five broad priorities for strengthening India’s strategic technology and materials ecosystem. These are: substantial funding for research and innovation; building domestic capabilities to secure energy independence; deeper collaboration among all stakeholders including government, industry and researchers; adoption of global and recycling models; and encouraging philanthropic support for research activities.
The Minister emphasised that India must develop capabilities across the entire supply chain of critical minerals and advanced materials, spanning exploration, extraction, refining, processing, engineering and manufacturing. This requires combining domestic resources with international partnerships while simultaneously developing indigenous technologies that meet global standards.
Dr Singh highlighted that India has already begun opening traditionally restricted sectors to private participation. He specifically mentioned the nuclear sector, where private players can now participate under a new framework that permits foreign collaboration and investment alongside increased domestic involvement. The government’s RDI Fund, which supports research and development, has also moved into implementation phase to encourage private sector investment in strategic areas.
The Minister stressed the importance of involving industry partners from the earliest stages of research and innovation work. This approach ensures that research remains aligned with market needs and has a higher chance of becoming commercially successful.
What This Means for You
If you work in manufacturing, energy, defence, semiconductors or aerospace, India’s push to build domestic capabilities in critical minerals creates new opportunities for business growth and technological advancement. Startups and entrepreneurs in materials science and advanced technology can now tap into government research funds and private sector partnerships. For students pursuing science and engineering, the emphasis on research investment and industry-academia collaboration opens expanded pathways for both employment and innovation-driven ventures.