New Delhi, Sept. 4 -- The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a Rs.1,500 crore Incentive Scheme to develop recycling capacity in the country for the extraction and production of critical minerals from secondary sources such as battery waste and e-waste. The scheme is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), which seeks to build domestic capacity and strengthen supply chain resilience in critical minerals. While exploration, auctions, mine operationalisation, and acquisition of foreign assets are long-gestation measures, recycling of secondary sources provides a prudent and immediate way to ensure sustainability.

The scheme will be implemented over six years, from FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31. Eli...