**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer given in Lok Sabha on 11.02.2026 in response to Unstarred Question No. †2025 regarding Centres of Excellence (CoE) under the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM). The Minister of Coal and Mines outlined the list of recognized institutes for Research and Development (R&D) in Critical Minerals and their objectives. The document also mentions the ongoing R&D projects supported by the Government, details of which are available online.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Centres of Excellence (CoEs):**
* The Ministry of Mines has recognized nine premier institutes as Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM).
* The purpose is focused research & development (R&D) to strengthen domestic capabilities in the critical mineral value chain.
* The nine institutes recognized as CoEs are:
* Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
* IIT Hyderabad
* IIT Roorkee
* IIT Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad
* Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
* Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) – Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar
* CSIR – National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur
* Non Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC), Hyderabad
* Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (CMET), Hyderabad
* **CoE Operations:**
* Each CoE operates as a consortium on a Hub & Spoke model.
* This leverages the core competence of constituent industry and academic/ R&D spokes.
* The nine CoEs have brought in over 80 industry and academic/R&D spokes.
* A mandatory consortium with industry partners is required in R&D projects.
* Industry contribution in applicable R&D projects ensures industrial applicability and scalability in project design.
* **Ministry Review and R&D Project Details:**
* The Ministry reviews regularly with the CoEs to ensure synergy and tangible outcomes.
* Details of ongoing R&D projects supported by the Ministry of Mines are available on the SATYABHAMA portal at https://research.mines.gov.in/OngoingProjectsDetails.aspx.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Mines**
* **Impact:** Overseeing and regularly reviewing the progress of the CoEs.
* **Action Required:** Continue monitoring CoEs and ensuring synergy and tangible outcomes.
**Centres of Excellence (CoEs)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for conducting focused research and development in the critical mineral value chain.
* **Action Required:** Operate as a consortium, leverage industry and academic resources, and ensure industrial applicability and scalability in project design.
**Industry Partners**
* **Impact:** Contributing to R&D projects to ensure practical applicability and scalability.
* **Action Required:** Participate actively in the consortiums and provide industry-relevant expertise and resources.
Key Entities Referenced
National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM): A mission by the Ministry of Mines to strengthen domestic capabilities in the critical mineral value chain, utilizing Centres of Excellence (CoEs).
Centres of Excellence (CoEs): Institutes recognized by the Ministry of Mines to conduct research and development in the field of critical minerals under the NCMM.
Ministry of Mines: The government ministry responsible for recognizing Centres of Excellence and overseeing the National Critical Minerals Mission.
SATYABHAMA Portal: A portal by the Ministry of Mines, containing details of ongoing R&D projects supported by the Ministry of Mines.
Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs): Specifically IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, and IIT Roorkee are recognized as Centres of Excellence (CoEs).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2025
ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026
OBJECTIVE OF CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE UNDER NCMM
†2025. SHRI RAJPALSINH MAHENDRASINH JADAV:
Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:
(a) the list of institutes recognized as Centres of Excellence (CoE) for Research and
Development in the field of Critical Minerals and the details of their objectives and research
topics;
(b) whether any coordinated research strategy involving academic institutions, national
laboratories and industry partners has been formulated and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the steps taken to ensure that research outcomes are industry-enforceable and aligned
with national mineral security goals; and
(d) the details of ongoing Research and Development projects supported by the
Government including timelines and expected outcomes thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) to (d): The Ministry of Mines has recognised the following nine premier institutes of the
country as Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under the National Critical Minerals Mission
(NCMM) for focused research & development (R&D) to strengthen domestic capabilities in
the critical mineral value chain:
(1) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
(2) IIT Hyderabad
(3) IIT Roorkee
(4) IIT Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad
(5) Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
(6) Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) – Institute of Minerals &
Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar
(7) CSIR – National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur
(8) Non Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC), Hyderabad
(9) Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (CMET), Hyderabad
Each CoE operates as a consortium, on a Hub & Spoke model, to leverage the core
competence of constituent industry and academic/ R&D spokes. The nine recognized
CoEs have together brought in over 80 industry and academic/ R&D spokes. Under theCoE model, mandatory consortium with industry partners, including industry contribution
in R&D projects where applicable, ensures industrial applicability and scalability in project
design. The Ministry reviews regularly with the CoEs to ensure synergy and tangible
outcomes. The details of ongoing R&D projects supported by the Ministry of Mines are
available on the SATYABHAMA portal of the Ministry, having the following link:
https://research.mines.gov.in/OngoingProjectsDetails.aspx.
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