Centre Invites Bids For Rare Earth Magnet Unit Under Rs 72.8 bn Scheme

26 Mar 2026 CW Team

Tender documents were made available from March 20, with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for seven April and bid submissions closing on May 28; technical bids are slated to be opened on May 29. Each manufacturing unit is expected to be allocated a capacity between 600 and 1,200 metric tonnes per annum (t), and applicants must propose integrated sintered NdFeB production lines. The ministry set out timelines and compliance requirements in the RFP and advised bidders to use the portal for both stages.

The move follows the Union Cabinet's approval in November 2025 of a Rs 72.8 billion (bn) scheme to promote domestic manufacturing of sintered rare earth magnets and reduce import dependence. Under the scheme the ministry said companies will be eligible for a capital subsidy of Rs 7.5 billion (bn) and a sales-linked incentive of Rs 64.5 billion (bn), with limited assured supply of NdPr oxide from IREL (India) Ltd for the three lowest bidders. The support is aimed at developing end-to-end capacity in the magnet value chain.

Rare earth permanent magnets are high-strength components used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, high-end electronics and aerospace and defence systems, and are critical to advanced manufacturing. India holds six point twenty seven per cent of global rare earth reserves but accounts for zero point eighty three per cent of production, leaving the country heavily dependent on imports, according to industry reporting. The government framed the push after China, which supplies around 68.6 per cent of global production, restricted exports of several rare earth elements and related magnets last year.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has issued a request for proposal to invite bids to establish domestic manufacturing facilities for rare earth permanent magnets, advancing India's push for a self-reliant supply chain in critical minerals. The RFP calls for integrated Sintered Neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) Rare Earth Permanent Magnet units, with a total capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes per annum (t). The ministry indicated the bidding will be conducted online through a two-stage technical and financial process on the central public procurement portal. Tender documents were made available from March 20, with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for seven April and bid submissions closing on May 28; technical bids are slated to be opened on May 29. Each manufacturing unit is expected to be allocated a capacity between 600 and 1,200 metric tonnes per annum (t), and applicants must propose integrated sintered NdFeB production lines. The ministry set out timelines and compliance requirements in the RFP and advised bidders to use the portal for both stages. The move follows the Union Cabinet's approval in November 2025 of a Rs 72.8 billion (bn) scheme to promote domestic manufacturing of sintered rare earth magnets and reduce import dependence. Under the scheme the ministry said companies will be eligible for a capital subsidy of Rs 7.5 billion (bn) and a sales-linked incentive of Rs 64.5 billion (bn), with limited assured supply of NdPr oxide from IREL (India) Ltd for the three lowest bidders. The support is aimed at developing end-to-end capacity in the magnet value chain. Rare earth permanent magnets are high-strength components used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, high-end electronics and aerospace and defence systems, and are critical to advanced manufacturing. India holds six point twenty seven per cent of global rare earth reserves but accounts for zero point eighty three per cent of production, leaving the country heavily dependent on imports, according to industry reporting. The government framed the push after China, which supplies around 68.6 per cent of global production, restricted exports of several rare earth elements and related magnets last year.

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Pune To Build Nine Km Link Road Between Highways

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to appoint an expert to plan the development of a nine km long, 60 metre wide road from Khadi Machine chowk to Wadki chowk as an extension to the Katraj-Kondhwa road to link the Mumbai-Satara and Pune-Solapur national highways. The scheme is intended to divert heavy vehicle traffic away from the city and improve access between the two arterial routes. The project has been prioritised by the PMC and forms part of a larger set of schemes in which 19 roads have been identified for development at a combined cost of Rs 9.82 billion (bn) to address c..

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Barabanki Bahraich Six Lane Highway Approved in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved construction of a new six-lane highway linking Barabanki and Bahraich as part of National Highway 927, and the cabinet has cleared the project. The alignment will pass through Mustafabad and Kaiserganj and extend for about 101.5 km, creating a key corridor for local and long-distance movement. The National Highways Authority of India will oversee the work and has signalled the scheme is intended to strengthen regional connectivity and cross-border access to Nepal. The project carries an estimated total cost of Rs 69,690 million, equivalent to Rs 69.69..

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Toll At Kharegaon Likely As Highway Upgrade Nears Completion

A section of the highway at Kharegaon has undergone an upgrade and is approaching completion, and authorities have indicated plans for a toll to be introduced once works finish. The project has focused on strengthening the carriageway, improving drainage and upgrading intersections to enhance safety and capacity. Officials have said the toll will be used to recover construction costs and fund ongoing maintenance. The upgrade included resurfacing of the pavement, widening of certain stretches and installation of modern signage and lighting to reduce accident risk. Contractors completed most ma..