**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that nuclear sector reforms and the Shanti Act will accelerate rare earth element (REE) development in India. Policy initiatives have opened mining and processing opportunities for private sector participation in REE extraction, excluding uranium and thorium. The aim is to achieve a magnet production target of 5,000 tonnes by 2030 and boost strategic and industrial capabilities.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Rare Earth Element (REE) Development:**
* Recent nuclear sector reforms and the Shanti Act will accelerate REE development.
* Policy initiatives allow private sector participation in REE mining and processing, excluding uranium and thorium.
* **Exploration and Surveys:**
* Exploration activities are underway in parts of Bihar, particularly in and around Koderma district.
* The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) is conducting reconnaissance radiometric surveys and G4 stage geological mapping in the Nawada region.
* The current phase of exploration in the referred areas is expected to be completed by September or October 2026.
* Surveys are proposed in Sheikhpura and adjoining areas of Bihar, to assess future possibilities.
* **Magnet Production and Demand:**
* India aims to achieve a magnet production target of 5,000 tonnes by 2030.
* Current annual requirement of permanent magnets is around 4,000 tonnes.
* The first rare earth permanent magnet plant in Visakhapatnam was commissioned in 2023.
* **Exploration Activities Across States:**
* Exploration activities are being carried out in both beach sand minerals and hard rock formations.
* Coastal beach mineral exploration is underway in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
* Hard rock exploration is progressing in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
* **Policy and Economic Measures:**
* Four dedicated rare earth corridors have been announced in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala in the Union Budget.
* Customs duty concessions have been provided for importing equipment required for nuclear power plants.
**Impact Analysis**
**Private Sector**
* **Impact:** New opportunities to participate in the mining and processing of rare earth minerals (excluding uranium and thorium).
* **Action Required:** Evaluate opportunities for investment and participation in REE projects.
**Strategic Sectors (Defence, Semiconductor, Electric Mobility)**
* **Impact:** Enhanced availability of rare earth elements to support growth in these critical sectors.
* **Action Required:** Monitor developments in REE production and incorporate into strategic planning.
**Government (Ministry of Earth Sciences, AMD)**
* **Impact:** Responsibility for implementing policies, conducting surveys, and overseeing exploration activities.
* **Action Required:** Ensure effective coordination of exploration activities and implement the necessary policy reforms.
**Bihar Region (Nawada, Sheikhpura, etc.)**
* **Impact:** Potential economic and industrial development through REE exploration and mining activities.
* **Action Required:** Cooperate with AMD and other agencies in facilitating exploration and development activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, involved in discussions and announcements regarding rare earth elements and nuclear sector reforms.
Shanti Act: A measure linked to nuclear sector reforms, intended to accelerate the development of rare earth elements.
Rare Earth Elements (REE): Critical minerals with growing importance due to applications in electric mobility, semiconductors, and defense. Policy changes aim to boost domestic production and exploration.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Indian Parliament, where questions were raised regarding the availability of rare earth minerals in Bihar.
Bihar: State in India where exploration activities are underway and potential availability of rare earth minerals is being assessed.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Lok Sabha Question Hour: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Says Nuclear Sector Reforms and Shanti Act
Measures Will Accelerate Rare Earth
Development
Magnet Production Target 5,000 Tonnes by 2030; Nationwide
Exploration in Beach and Hard Rock Areas Ongoing: Dr
Jitendra Singh
Rare Earth Importance Growing Amid EV, Semiconductor and
Defence Demand; Government Allows Private Sector in
Mining of Select Minerals: Dr Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 11 FEB 2026 5:53PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO,
Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that recent
nuclear sector reforms, including measures under the Shanti Act, will accelerate the development of Rare
Earth Elements (REE) in the country. He said policy initiatives taken in recent years have opened new
opportunities in mining and processing of rare earth minerals, including participation of the private sector
in areas not containing uranium and thorium, thereby strengthening India’s strategic and industrial
capabilities.
Responding to a question raised during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha by Shri Vivek Thakur,
Member of Parliament from Nawada, Bihar, the Minister shared details regarding the potential availability
of rare earth minerals in Bihar. The MP referred to the distinctive geological formations in Nawada and
adjoining districts such as Sheikhpura, Jamui, Nalanda and Gaya, which form part of the extension of the
Chotanagpur Plateau and are characterised by granite and pegmatite rock structures. He also referred to
the presence of mica deposits and associated minerals such as beryl, columbite-tantalite, and lithium,
which have significant industrial applications including in electric vehicle batteries and advanced
electronics. He sought information on whether the Government proposes to conduct surveys in these
districts and the timeline for submission of the related reports.
Dr. Jitendra Singh informed the House that exploration activities are already underway in parts of Bihar,
particularly in and around Koderma district. With regard to Sheikhpura and other areas mentioned, he
stated that studies to assess future possibilities can be undertaken. He added that the Atomic Minerals
Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), which operates through seven centres across thecountry, is conducting reconnaissance radiometric surveys and G4 stage geological mapping in the
Nawada region. The current phase of exploration in the referred areas is expected to be completed within
five to six months, likely by September or October 2026.
The Minister said that the importance of rare earth elements has grown significantly in view of their
applications in electric mobility, semiconductors, defence equipment, and emerging technologies. He
stated that in the Union Budget this year, four dedicated rare earth corridors have been announced in
Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. In addition, customs duty concessions have been
provided for import of equipment required for nuclear power plants, and reforms have been undertaken to
expand the role of private players in mining of rare earth minerals that do not contain uranium and
thorium.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also referred to the commissioning of India’s first rare earth permanent magnet plant in
Visakhapatnam, inaugurated by the Prime Minister in 2023 after a gap of several decades. The plant is
expected to support strategic sectors including defence and high-technology manufacturing. India’s
current annual requirement of permanent magnets is around 4,000 tonnes, and the Government has set a
target of achieving production capacity of 5,000 tonnes by 2030, ensuring self-reliance and surplus
capability.
Exploration activities are being carried out in both beach sand minerals and hard rock formations across
multiple states. Coastal beach mineral exploration is underway in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, Andhra
Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, while hard rock exploration is progressing in Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The Minister said these coordinated efforts are aimed at
expanding the national resource base and enhancing domestic value addition in critical minerals essential
for India’s growth trajectory.*****
AK/SK
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