Mines Ministry issues guidelines for ₹1,500 crore Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme
On 4 October 2025, the Ministry of Mines said it had issued guidelines on 2 October for the ₹1,500 crore Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme, with applications open until 1 April 2026.
Summary
On 4 October 2025, the Ministry of Mines said it had issued guidelines on 2 October 2025 for the ₹1,500 crore Incentive Scheme for promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling, which the Union Cabinet approved on 3 September 2025. The scheme is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission and aims to build India's capacity to extract critical minerals from secondary sources. Eligible feedstock is e-waste, spent lithium-ion batteries and other scrap. Both large recyclers and small or new ones, including start-ups, can apply, for new units or for expanding and modernising existing ones. Incentives are only for the part of the value chain that actually extracts critical minerals, not for units that only produce black mass. Applications are open for six months, from 2 October 2025 to 1 April 2026.
Key facts
- Outlay
- ₹1,500 crore; Cabinet nod 3 Sep 2025
- Part of
- National Critical Mineral Mission
- Feedstock
- E-waste, spent Li-ion batteries, other scrap
- Applications
- 2 Oct 2025 – 1 Apr 2026; no incentive for black-mass-only units
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Consider the following statements about the ₹1,500 crore Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme: 1. Its eligible feedstock includes e-waste, spent lithium-ion batteries and other scrap. 2. Its incentives are meant for units engaged only in black mass production. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB (Ministry of Mines): eligible feedstock is e-waste, spent LiBs and other scrap. Incentives are for the value chain engaged in actual extraction of critical minerals, not the value chain involved only in black mass production.
Applications under the Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme, opened on 2 October 2025, can be made up to which date?
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Correct answer: B — 1 April 2026
PIB: the scheme is open for applications from 2 October 2025 for six months, i.e. up to 1 April 2026.