UPSC Prelims 2026Question 95Geography

Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ?
1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India.
3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector.
4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements.
Select the answer using the code given below:

Options

(a)1 and 3 only
(b)3 only
(c)1, 3 and 4
(d)1, 2 and 4

Correct answer: a

Decision rule

Rare earths number seventeen - fifteen lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium; China leads mining, but the runner-up is never India.

Explanation

Correct Answer

(a) 1 and 3 only

Explanation of the Correct Answer

Statement 1 is correct

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are widely used in modern technologies because of their magnetic, optical, catalytic, and electronic properties.
They are important for:
- Artificial Intelligence hardware and advanced computing systems
- robotics
- electric vehicles
- wind turbines
- defence systems
- satellites and space technologies
- lasers, sensors, and high-performance magnets

Therefore, REEs are critical for modern technological innovation.

Statement 2 is incorrect

China has the largest share in rare earth mining and processing.
However, India is not generally the second-largest miner of REEs.
Major rare earth mining countries include China, the United States, Myanmar, Australia, and others, depending on the year and dataset.
Hence, the claim that China is followed by India is incorrect.

Statement 3 is correct

The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025.
Its objective is to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector, including exploration, mining, processing, recycling, overseas acquisition, and supply-chain security. The Government of India’s official note describes NCMM as India’s blueprint to secure domestic and global supply chains of critical minerals. (Press Information Bureau)

Statement 4 is incorrect

Rare Earth Elements are not a set of 13 metallic elements.
They are a set of 17 elements, consisting of:
- 15 lanthanides
- scandium
- yttrium

The USGS defines rare earths as a group of 17 elements composed of scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanides. (USGS)

Therefore, only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option	Verdict	Explanation
(a) 1 and 3 only	Correct	REEs are used in advanced technologies, and India launched NCMM in 2025. Statements 2 and 4 are incorrect.
(b) 3 only	Incorrect	Statement 1 is also correct because REEs are important for modern technology, including AI, robotics, and space-related applications.
(c) 1, 3 and 4	Incorrect	Statement 4 is incorrect because REEs are a group of 17, not 13, elements.
(d) 1, 2 and 4	Incorrect	Statements 2 and 4 are incorrect. India is not the second-largest REE miner, and REEs are not 13 elements.

Relevant Supplementary Information

Rare Earth Elements: Key Facts

Parameter	Details
Full form	Rare Earth Elements
Number of elements	17
Composition	15 lanthanides + scandium + yttrium
Why called “rare”	Not necessarily scarce, but rarely found in concentrated, economically extractable deposits
Major uses	Magnets, EVs, wind turbines, electronics, lasers, satellites, defence equipment
Major mining country	China has the dominant share
Major concern	Supply-chain concentration and processing dependence
India’s policy response	National Critical Mineral Mission, 2025

Rare Earth Elements: Composition

Group	Elements Included
Lanthanides	Lanthanum, Cerium, Praseodymium, Neodymium, Promethium, Samarium, Europium, Gadolinium, Terbium, Dysprosium, Holmium, Erbium, Thulium, Ytterbium, Lutetium
Additional elements included as REEs	Scandium and Yttrium

REE Applications

Application Area	REE Use	Examples
Electric vehicles	Permanent magnets and motors	Neodymium, Praseodymium, Dysprosium
Wind energy	High-performance magnets in turbines	Neodymium, Dysprosium
Electronics	Screens, speakers, hard drives	Europium, Terbium, Neodymium
Defence	Guidance systems, radar, precision weapons	Samarium, Neodymium, Dysprosium
Space technology	Sensors, satellites, propulsion-related systems	Various REEs
Robotics	Motors, sensors, actuators	Neodymium-based magnets
AI and computing hardware	Advanced electronics, cooling, sensors, storage components	Multiple REEs and critical minerals

National Critical Mineral Mission: Key Features

Aspect	Details
Mission	National Critical Mineral Mission
Launch year	2025
Sector	Critical minerals
Objective	Self-reliance and supply-chain security
Focus areas	Exploration, mining, processing, recycling, overseas sourcing, research and technology
Strategic importance	Clean energy, electronics, defence, space, EVs, semiconductors
Policy logic	Reduce import dependence and secure critical mineral supply chains

Key Takeaways from the Tables

Point	Explanation
REEs are 17 elements	They include 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium.
REEs are technology-critical	They are used in EVs, wind turbines, robotics, defence, electronics, and space systems.
China dominates REE supply chains	Especially mining, processing, and refining, but India is not second in mining.
NCMM was launched in 2025	It aims to strengthen India’s self-reliance in critical minerals.
Critical minerals are strategic resources	They are essential for clean energy, national security, and high-technology manufacturing.

Point	Explanation
REEs are 17 elements	They consist of 15 lanthanides plus Scandium and Yttrium.
REEs are not necessarily rare in absolute quantity	The difficulty lies in concentration, extraction, refining, and environmental costs.
REEs are technology-critical	They are vital for EVs, wind turbines, AI hardware, robotics, defence, and space systems.
Critical minerals are broader than REEs	Lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, copper, gallium, germanium, and REEs can all be critical minerals.
China dominates the REE supply chain	But India is not the second-largest REE mining country.
NCMM is India’s strategic response	It aims to secure critical mineral supply chains and promote self-reliance.
Main memory rule	REEs = 17 elements; Critical minerals = economy/security/technology-essential minerals.

Context and Current Relevance

REEs and critical minerals have become central to clean-energy transition, defence preparedness, semiconductors, EVs, and space technology.
China’s dominance in rare earth processing has created global concerns over supply-chain vulnerability.
India’s National Critical Mineral Mission is a response to this strategic dependence and aims to build domestic capability in exploration, processing, recycling, and overseas sourcing.

Table: Rare Earth Elements — Key Facts

Parameter	Details
Full form	Rare Earth Elements
Common abbreviation	REEs
Number of elements	17
Composition	15 lanthanides + Scandium + Yttrium
Nature	Metallic elements with special magnetic, optical, and electronic properties
Why called “rare”	They are not always rare in quantity, but are rarely found in concentrated, economically extractable deposits
Major uses	EVs, wind turbines, electronics, defence, robotics, satellites, lasers, sensors
Strategic concern	Global supply-chain concentration, especially in processing and refining
India’s policy response	National Critical Mineral Mission, 2025

Table: Composition of Rare Earth Elements

Category	Elements Included	Number
Lanthanides	Lanthanum, Cerium, Praseodymium, Neodymium, Promethium, Samarium, Europium, Gadolinium, Terbium, Dysprosium, Holmium, Erbium, Thulium, Ytterbium, Lutetium	15
Additional REEs	Scandium, Yttrium	2
Total REEs	15 lanthanides + Scandium + Yttrium	17

Table: Important Rare Earth Elements and Their Uses

Element	Major Use	Sectoral Importance
Neodymium	Permanent magnets	EV motors, wind turbines, hard drives, robotics
Praseodymium	High-strength magnets and alloys	EVs, aircraft engines, precision equipment
Dysprosium	Improves magnet heat resistance	EVs, defence, wind turbines
Terbium	Green phosphors, magnets	Displays, lighting, electronics
Europium	Red phosphors	LED screens, displays, anti-counterfeit features
Cerium	Catalysts, glass polishing	Automobiles, petroleum refining, optics
Lanthanum	Batteries, camera lenses, catalysts	Hybrid vehicles, optics, refining
Samarium	Samarium-cobalt magnets	Defence, aerospace, high-temperature motors
Gadolinium	MRI contrast agents, neutron capture	Healthcare, nuclear technology
Yttrium	Lasers, superconductors, ceramics	Electronics, medical devices, defence
Scandium	Aluminium-scandium alloys	Aerospace, lightweight materials, sports equipment

Table: REEs and Modern Technology

Technology / Sector	Role of REEs	Examples
Artificial Intelligence hardware	Used in advanced electronics, sensors, storage, cooling systems, and precision components	Data centres, chips, high-performance computing systems
Robotics	High-performance magnets and sensors	Robotic arms, drones, industrial automation
Electric Vehicles	Permanent magnets in motors and battery-related materials	EV traction motors
Wind Energy	Strong magnets in wind turbine generators	Offshore and high-efficiency turbines
Space Exploration	Sensors, lasers, alloys, communication systems	Satellites, spacecraft components
Defence	Guidance systems, radar, precision weapons, communication devices	Missiles, aircraft, naval systems
Electronics	Screens, speakers, hard disks, cameras	Smartphones, laptops, display panels
Healthcare	Imaging and diagnostic technologies	MRI contrast agents, lasers

Table: Rare Earth Elements vs Critical Minerals

Basis	Rare Earth Elements	Critical Minerals
Meaning	A group of 17 metallic elements	Minerals considered essential for economy, technology, and national security
Number	Fixed group of 17 elements	Varies by country and policy list
Examples	Neodymium, Dysprosium, Cerium, Yttrium	Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, Graphite, Copper, REEs
Main use	Magnets, electronics, defence, clean energy	EVs, batteries, semiconductors, renewable energy, defence
Why important	Essential for high-tech and green technologies	Supply disruption can affect strategic sectors
Supply concern	Mining and processing concentration	Import dependence and geopolitical risk
Relationship	REEs are a subset of critical minerals in many policy frameworks	Critical minerals include REEs and many non-REE minerals

Table: Important Critical Minerals and Their Uses

Critical Mineral	Major Uses	Strategic Importance
Lithium	Rechargeable batteries	EVs, energy storage
Cobalt	Battery cathodes, superalloys	EV batteries, aerospace
Nickel	Batteries, stainless steel	EV batteries, industrial manufacturing
Graphite	Battery anodes	Lithium-ion batteries
Copper	Electrical wiring, motors, transmission	Power grids, EVs, renewable energy
Rare Earth Elements	Magnets, electronics, defence systems	EVs, wind turbines, robotics, space
Tungsten	Hard metals, cutting tools	Defence, manufacturing
Titanium	Lightweight alloys	Aerospace, defence, medical implants
Vanadium	Steel strengthening, flow batteries	Energy storage, infrastructure
Gallium	Semiconductors, LEDs	Electronics, solar cells
Germanium	Fibre optics, infrared optics, semiconductors	Defence, electronics, communication
Platinum Group Metals	Catalysts, fuel cells	Hydrogen economy, automobile sector

Table: National Critical Mineral Mission — Key Features

Aspect	Details
Mission name	National Critical Mineral Mission
Launch year	2025
Country	India
Core objective	Build self-reliance and supply-chain security in critical minerals
Focus areas	Exploration, mining, processing, recycling, research, overseas acquisition
Strategic sectors supported	EVs, renewable energy, electronics, defence, space, semiconductors
Need for the mission	Reduce import dependence and secure access to critical minerals
Broader policy logic	Atmanirbhar Bharat, energy transition, strategic autonomy, manufacturing security

Table: Common Exam Traps Related to REEs and Critical Minerals

Statement / Trap	Correct Understanding
REEs are a group of 13 elements	Incorrect. REEs are 17 elements.
REEs include 15 lanthanides plus Scandium and Yttrium	Correct.
China dominates rare earth supply chains	Correct, especially in processing and refining.
India is the second-largest REE mining country after China	Incorrect. India is not generally ranked second in REE mining.
REEs are used only in electronics	Incorrect. They are also used in EVs, wind energy, defence, robotics, and space technologies.
Critical minerals and REEs are the same	Incorrect. REEs are one important category within critical minerals.
Critical mineral lists are same for all countries	Incorrect. They vary depending on national economic and strategic needs.
NCMM was launched to strengthen India’s critical mineral self-reliance	Correct.

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