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PIB Summaries 30 January 2025

  1. ISRO’s 100th Launch Marks a Quantum Leap in India’s Space journey
  2. National Critical Mineral Mission


Background :

  • 100th successful launch from Sriharikota: ISRO’s GSLV-F15/NVS-02 mission marks a historic milestone.
  • Rapid infrastructure expansion: A third launch pad in Sriharikota and a new launch site in Tamil Nadus Tuticorin.
  • Private sector boom: Growth from single-digit startups in 2021 to nearly 300 today.
  • Economic impact: India’s space economy projected to reach $44 billion by 2035.
  • Global leadership in satellite launches: ISRO handles 90% of foreign satellite launches.

Relevance : GS 3(Space)

ISRO’s Evolution: From Slow Beginnings to a Rapid Growth Phase

  • Foundation (1969–1993):
    • Established under Vikram Sarabhai’s leadership.
    • Took over two decades for the first launch pad (1993).
  • Gradual Expansion (1993–2014):
    • Second launch pad established in 2004, a decade after the first.
  • Transformational Growth (2014–2024):
    • Accelerated infrastructure and investment.
    • Upcoming third launch pad in Sriharikota.
    • New spaceport in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu.

Implication: Faster development in the last decade indicates strong government push, policy reforms, and increased international collaborations.

Private Sector Revolution in Space

  • 2014–2020:
    • ISRO solely led India’s space advancements.
  • Post-2020:
    • Government reforms unlocked the space sector for private players.
    • Number of space startups surged from single digits in 2021 to nearly 300 in 2025.
    • Rs 1,000 crore investment in the sector in 2023 alone.
    • International collaborations and private satellite launches increased significantly.

Significance: India is positioning itself as a major global hub for space entrepreneurship.

India’s Space Economy: A Growing Powerhouse

  • Current valuation: $8 billion.
  • Projected by 2035: $44 billion.
  • Foreign satellite launches: ISRO now accounts for 90% of all global foreign satellite launches.
  • Indias global positioning: Rising as a key player in commercial space launches and satellite-based services.

Economic Implication: Increased foreign investments, technology transfers, and global collaborations in the coming years.

Strategic Infrastructure Expansion

  • Sriharikota Expansion: Third launch pad under development.
  • New Launch Site in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu: Diversifying launch capabilities.
  • Advantage of Tuticorin:
    • Closer to the equator → More efficient satellite launches.
    • Less congested air and sea routes compared to Sriharikota.

Strategic Benefit: Strengthens India’s launch capacity, reduces dependency on a single site, and enhances global competitiveness.

Global Leadership in Space Missions

  • Indias Strengths:
    • Cost-effective, reliable launch services.
    • Track record of successful interplanetary missions (Mars, Moon).
    • Expanding space applications (earth observation, navigation, communication).
  • Future Prospects:
    • Gaganyaan (Human Spaceflight).
    • Chandrayaan-4, Mars Orbiter-2, Venus Mission (Shukrayaan-1).
    • Strengthening collaborations with NASA, ESA, and emerging space nations.

Strategic Implication: Strengthens India’s geopolitical standing and economic influence in space technology.

Conclusion:

  • Marks a transition from slow growth to rapid expansion.
  • Private sector integration and policy reforms fueling innovation.
  • India emerging as a dominant player in global space commerce.
  • Infrastructure growth paving the way for deep-space missions and human spaceflight.


Context:

  • The approval of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) is a significant step in India’s strategy to secure critical mineral resources essential for high-tech industries, green energy, and defense.
  • Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat, ensuring self-reliance in securing key minerals that are vital for electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors, batteries, and renewable energy technologies.
  • Given geopolitical vulnerabilities and supply chain disruptions, this initiative is crucial to reducing import dependence on countries like China for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements.

Relevance : GS 3(Economic Developments ,Minerals )

Features of the Mission

Comprehensive Value Chain Approach

  • Covers exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, and recycling of critical minerals.
  • Supports recovery of critical minerals from overburden and tailings (waste materials left after ore processing).
  • Encourages stockpiling of critical minerals to manage supply fluctuations.

Boost to Domestic Exploration & Mining

  • Fast-tracked regulatory approvals for mining projects.
  • Strengthened role of Geological Survey of India (GSI), with 195 projects in FS 202425 and 227 planned for 2025-26.
  • Auction of 24 strategic mineral blocks under the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

Global Mineral Acquisition & Trade Diversification

  • Indian PSUs and private firms encouraged to acquire mineral assets abroad.
  • Example: KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd.)’s lithium exploration project in Argentina (15,703 Ha in Catamarca province).
  • Enhances critical mineral trade with resource-rich nations, reducing dependence on any single country.

Incentives & Infrastructure Development

  • Financial incentives for mineral exploration.
  • Establishment of mineral processing parks to encourage domestic refining capacity.
  • Promotion of recycling technologies to enhance circular economy in the critical minerals sector.

R&D and Innovation

  • Setting up of a Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals.
  • S&T PRISM Program (2023) to support startups & MSMEs in mineral research and technology commercialization.

Policy & Fiscal Support

  • Customs duties on most critical minerals eliminated in Union Budget 2024-25, making mineral imports cheaper.
  • Whole-of-Government approach ensuring coordination among ministries, research institutions, and industries.

Strategic Implications

Economic & Industrial Impact

  • Strengthens domestic supply chains for EV batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and semiconductors.
  • Encourages private sector participation in mineral exploration and processing.
  • Reduces trade deficits caused by high-value mineral imports.

Energy Security & Green Transition

  • Ensures a steady supply of critical minerals needed for India’s renewable energy goals.
  • Supports India’s net-zero emissions commitment by facilitating domestic clean technology manufacturing.

Geopolitical & Strategic Autonomy

  • Reduces reliance on China, which dominates global rare earth and lithium markets.
  • Strengthens India’s role in global mineral supply chains by collaborating with Australia, Argentina, and African nations.
  • Enhances national security by securing minerals vital for defense and strategic technologies.

Challenges & Way Forward

Challenges

  • Environmental concerns from large-scale mining.
  • Regulatory hurdles & land acquisition issues.
  • High capital investment needed for mineral processing and refining infrastructure.
  • Technological dependency on foreign firms for processing rare earth elements.

Way Forward

  • Strengthen partnerships with like-minded nations (e.g., Australia-India Critical Minerals Partnership).
  • Encourage private investments in mineral processing through policy incentives.
  • Develop domestic R&D capabilities for advanced mineral processing and recycling technologies.
  • Ensure sustainable mining practices to balance economic growth with environmental protection.

February 2025
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