IISc and C-MET named Centres of Excellence in critical minerals

28 Oct 2025 CW Team

The decision was approved by the Project Approval and Advisory Committee (PAAC) during its meeting on 24 October 2025, co-chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, and Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology.

Advancing India’s Critical Mineral Capabilities

Critical raw materials play a vital role in the supply chains of emerging sectors such as clean energy, electric mobility, advanced technology, defence, space, and electronics. To strengthen India’s self-reliance in these areas, the Centres of Excellence will focus on research and development (R&D) aimed at achieving higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 7/8) through pilot plant and pre-commercial demonstrations.

The CoEs will pursue innovative and transformational research to enhance India’s science and technology capabilities in the critical minerals domain — a key step in ensuring secure and sustainable access to essential materials.

Hub-and-Spoke Collaboration Model

Each CoE will operate under a Hub and Spoke model, bringing together the core competencies of its consortium members under one framework. As per the CoE guidelines, the hub institute must include at least two industry partners and two R&D or academic institutions as spokes.

Collectively, the nine Centres of Excellence have onboarded around 90 industry, academic, and research partners, reflecting strong collaboration between the government, industry, and scientific community.

The initiative is a key part of India’s strategy to build an integrated value chain for critical minerals — from exploration and extraction to processing and recycling — thereby supporting the nation’s clean energy transition and strategic technology development.

The Ministry of Mines has recognised two additional institutes — the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, and the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), Hyderabad — as Centres of Excellence (CoE) under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). This brings the total number of recognised CoEs to nine. The decision was approved by the Project Approval and Advisory Committee (PAAC) during its meeting on 24 October 2025, co-chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, and Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology. Advancing India’s Critical Mineral Capabilities Critical raw materials play a vital role in the supply chains of emerging sectors such as clean energy, electric mobility, advanced technology, defence, space, and electronics. To strengthen India’s self-reliance in these areas, the Centres of Excellence will focus on research and development (R&D) aimed at achieving higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 7/8) through pilot plant and pre-commercial demonstrations. The CoEs will pursue innovative and transformational research to enhance India’s science and technology capabilities in the critical minerals domain — a key step in ensuring secure and sustainable access to essential materials. Hub-and-Spoke Collaboration Model Each CoE will operate under a Hub and Spoke model, bringing together the core competencies of its consortium members under one framework. As per the CoE guidelines, the hub institute must include at least two industry partners and two R&D or academic institutions as spokes. Collectively, the nine Centres of Excellence have onboarded around 90 industry, academic, and research partners, reflecting strong collaboration between the government, industry, and scientific community. The initiative is a key part of India’s strategy to build an integrated value chain for critical minerals — from exploration and extraction to processing and recycling — thereby supporting the nation’s clean energy transition and strategic technology development.

Infrastructure Transport

29 Oct 2025

Railways approves major upgrade for Telangana traction lines

The Ministry of Railways has approved the upgradation of the electric traction system in two crucial railway sections — Medchal–Mudkhed (225 km) and Mahbubnagar–Dhone (184 km). The projects, costing Rs 1.93 billion and Rs 1.23 billion respectively, will enhance the electric traction capacity from 1X25 KV to 2X25 KV. The work includes modifications to circuit breakers and switching stations, along with the installation of additional conductors. These routes serve as vital links between Northern and Southern India via Hyderabad. Once completed, the upgraded system will reduce voltage dro..

Infrastructure Transport

29 Oct 2025

Adani to invest Rs 425 billion more in Maharashtra’s Dighi Port

The Adani Group has committed to invest an additional Rs 425 billion in the Dighi Port project, located along Maharashtra’s coastal Konkan belt, government officials announced on Monday. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ)-run Dighi Ports signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government to undertake the expansion of the port and related infrastructure. This new commitment comes as part of a broader investment initiative by the state. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the agreement is among 15 MoUs worth over Rs 560 billion signed during the opening d..

Infrastructure Transport

29 Oct 2025

HUDCO, JNPA sign Rs 50 billion deal for port development

In a strategic move, the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd (HUDCO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) for an investment of Rs 50 billion to revamp and develop port infrastructure. The non-binding agreement is intended to strengthen cooperation on both existing and upcoming infrastructure projects, with a focus on development, financing, and refinancing of port facilities at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port. The MoU was formalised with the signatures of Sanjay Kulshrestha, Chairman and Managing Director of HUDCO, and Unmesh Shar..