**Executive Summary**
On March 20, 2026, the Ministry of Science & Technology inaugurated a pilot plant for the manufacture of Neodymium-Iron-Boron (Nd-Fe-B) rare earth permanent magnets at ARCI, Hyderabad. The facility aims to establish a self-reliant "mineral-to-market" ecosystem to reduce global supply chain vulnerabilities and support India’s "Viksit Bharat 2047" vision. This initiative serves as a critical platform for technology validation, industry collaboration, and the commercial scaling of indigenous innovations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Facility Overview and Capabilities**
* Established at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
* Adopts an end-to-end approach, covering the entire process from strip-cast alloy to finished sintered magnets.
* Designed for flexibility to enable continuous innovation, process optimization, and product development.
* **Strategic Objectives**
* Builds strategic autonomy in critical materials to enhance supply security and cost competitiveness.
* Strengthens India’s position in the global rare earth value chain, moving toward "Atmanirbhar Bharat."
* Addresses resource constraints and reduces dependence on highly concentrated global supply chains.
* **Sectoral Impact and Applications**
* Produced magnets are essential for electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy systems, electronics, and advanced manufacturing.
* Supports the growth of the indigenous electric mobility ecosystem and deep-tech manufacturing.
* Facilitates the Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA) to accelerate critical technologies.
**Impact Analysis**
**Industry and Private Sector**
**Impact**
The sector benefits from a platform for technology validation, demonstration, and the scaling of indigenous innovations to commercial levels. It gains access to a robust manufacturing ecosystem and strengthened industry-research linkages.
**Action Required**
Private sector entities are invited to active participation in translational research and to partner with ARCI to position India as a global leader in emerging technologies.
**Deep-tech Startups**
**Impact**
Startups receive specialized support for technology validation and process optimization, facilitating the transition from research to manufacturing.
**Action Required**
Startups should engage with the ARCI facility to utilize the pilot-scale platform for developing and commercializing indigenous rare earth magnet technologies.
**Academia and Researchers**
**Impact**
The facility provides an enabling ecosystem and institutional framework to translate academic research into scalable innovation.
**Action Required**
Academic stakeholders are encouraged to partner through mission-driven programs to bridge the gap between laboratory research and market-ready product development.
Key Entities Referenced
Pilot Plant for Nd-Fe-B Rare Earth Permanent Magnets: An indigenous manufacturing facility established to produce critical rare earth magnets for electric vehicles and renewable energy, aimed at achieving self-reliance in the global value chain.
International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad: The autonomous institution and primary location responsible for developing the 'mineral-to-market' ecosystem for rare earth magnet technologies.
Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA): An initiative focused on accelerating critical technologies, including India’s EV ecosystem, and fostering private sector participation in research.
Department of Science and Technology (DST): The primary government department overseeing the establishment of the pilot plant and the implementation of strategic autonomy in critical materials.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: The overarching national policy vision for self-reliance that drives the indigenous development of critical manufacturing technologies and materials.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Pilot Plant for the Manufacture of Nd-Fe-B Rare
Earth Permanent Magnets established at ARCI,
Hyderabad
Posted On: 20 MAR 2026 5:02PM by PIB Delhi
A Pilot Plant for the manufacture of Nd-Fe-B (Neodymium-Iron-Boron) rare earth permanent magnets
established at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials
(ARCI), Hyderabad, an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST),
Government of India.
The pilot-plant was inaugurated by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, with Dr. R. Vijay, Director,
ARCI in the august presence of Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Former Secretary DST and Chairman, Governing
Council, ARCI; Dr. S. K. Jha, Former CMD, MIDHANI, Member-Technical Review Committee; Dr.
Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), several delegates
with major participation from industries, national institutes and other stakeholders.
The facility established at ARCI adopts an end-to-end approach, covering the process from strip-cast alloy
to finished sintered magnets, enabling the development of a robust and self-reliant manufacturing
ecosystem.
The pilot plant marks a significant step towards achieving self-reliance in critical materials and
strengthening India’s position in the global rare earth value chain. Nd-Fe-B magnets are essential
components in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, electronics, and advanced manufacturing
technologies.
While inaugurating the pilot plant Prof. Karandikar highlighted this pilot plant is an important step
towards building strategic autonomy in critical materials, particularly in the context of global supply chain
vulnerabilities and India’s growing demand in clean energy and advanced manufacturing sectors. “As we
work towards Viksit Bharat 2047, addressing resource constraints and strengthening indigenous
capabilities in critical technologies will be central to our development strategy. Initiatives like this help
reduce dependence while enhancing resilience and competitiveness,” he added.
Prof. Karandikar said that we are building an enabling ecosystem—through institutional frameworks and
mission-driven programs—to translate research into scalable innovation and we invite industry, startups
and academia to partner in positioning India as a global leader in emerging technologies.
Rare earth magnet supply chains are currently highly concentrated globally, creating vulnerabilities for
emerging economies. The establishment of indigenous capabilities across the value chain—from materials
to magnet manufacturing—will enhance supply security, cost competitiveness, and technological
leadership.
The pilot-scale plant will serve as a critical platform for technology validation and process optimization,
industry collaboration and demonstration, scaling up indigenous innovations to commercial manufacturing
and supporting deep-tech startups and private sector participation.“The transition from research to manufacturing is what makes this pilot plant truly significant. Its
flexibility will enable continuous innovation, process optimization, and product development,” Prof.
Sharma noted.
Dr. Shivakumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, ANRF explained about Mission for Advancement in High-impact
Areas (MAHA) initiatives for accelerating critical technologies including India’s EV ecosystem and
invited private sectors for active participation in translational research.
Dr. R. Vijay, Director, ARCI informed that ARCI is developing a complete ‘mineral-to-market’ ecosystem
—from rare earth extraction to magnet manufacturing—strengthening research translation and and
industry linkage.
The pilot plant is expected to catalyse industry participation, foster innovation, and support
commercialization of indigenous rare earth magnet technologies. It will also contribute to the growth of
the electric mobility ecosystem and advanced materials manufacturing in India.
This initiative represents a key step towards achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat and realizing the vision of
Viksit Bharat 2047.*****
NKR/FT
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