Ministry of Mines Launches ₹1,500 Cr Incentive Scheme for Critical Mineral Recycling
New Delhi, 4 Oct 2025 – The Ministry of Mines has opened applications for the ₹1,500 crore Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme, marking a major step toward India’s circular economy and resource security goals.
Key Highlights:
- The ₹1,500 crore scheme aims to promote recycling and recovery of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel from e-waste and spent batteries.
- Part of the National Critical Mineral Mission, the scheme supports India’s shift to sustainable, self-reliant mineral supply chains.
- Guidelines issued on 02 Oct 2025 define incentive allocation, eligibility, and evaluation criteria.
- Eligible feedstock: e-waste, spent Lithium-ion Batteries (LiB), and other industrial scrap materials.
- Open to large recyclers, start-ups, and existing units planning capacity expansion or modernization.
- Applications open till 01 Apr 2026 through the Ministry of Mines’ official website.
- Incentives are reserved for recycling value chain participants extracting actual critical minerals – not only black mass producers.
Key Details of Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Outlay | ₹1,500 crore |
| Implementing Ministry | Ministry of Mines |
| Part of | National Critical Mineral Mission |
| Objective | Develop recycling capacity for extraction of critical minerals from secondary sources |
| Eligible Feedstock | E-waste, spent Li-ion batteries, metal scrap |
| Beneficiaries | Large recyclers, MSMEs, start-ups, existing units (expansion/modernization) |
| Incentive Coverage | Extraction and recovery of critical minerals (not black mass processing) |
| Guidelines Issued On | 02 October 2025 |
| Application Window | 02 October 2025 – 01 April 2026 |
| Application Portal | Available on the Ministry of Mines website |
The Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme is expected to strengthen India’s green manufacturing ecosystem, reduce import dependency, and promote a circular economy aligned with the nation’s clean energy transition goals.
Source : Ministry of Mines , PIB
