India, Feb. 2 -- Budget 2026-27 reaffirmed that rare earths remain a focus area for the government. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke of supporting dedicated rare earth corridors in states where monazite-rich coastal beach sands are found. These hold an estimated 7.23 million tonnes of rare-earth oxides.

The announcement carries forward two ongoing projects. The Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnet, announced in November 2025 with an outlay of Rs.7,280 crore, seeks to incentivise the full supply chain from rare-earth oxides to finished magnets. It works alongside the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), which focuses on mining, refining, and recycling critical minerals, including rare earth...