Consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

Answer: (c) I and III only

MSP membership and the 2023 MMDR amendment are right; India is import-dependent for many critical minerals.

Statement by statement

1. ✓ CORRECT India joined the US-led Minerals Security Partnership in June 2023.

2. ✗ WRONG India imports most of its critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, nickel) — that is why they are “critical”.

3. ✓ CORRECT The MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 lets the Centre auction 24 critical and strategic minerals.

The idea

A critical mineral matters greatly to the economy and also faces a supply risk. Criticality can come from limited deposits, concentrated processing or dependence on imports. Having geological resources is different from having enough mined and refined material for industry.

Identify an important industrial input → Assess supply risks → Explore domestic deposits → Build mining and processing capacity → Diversify overseas supply → Recover materials through recycling

Why the others are wrong

(a) Accepts that India is rich in all 30.

(b) Accepts that India is rich in all 30.

(d) Accepts that India is rich in all 30.

The trap

“All the 30” — the absolute word.

Elimination technique

India’s supply gaps in minerals such as lithium and cobalt contradict the claim of richness in every listed mineral. Dropping statement II removes (a), (b) and (d).

Also know

Lithium and cobalt connect with batteries; rare-earth elements connect with strong magnets and specialised equipment. KABIL was formed to pursue mineral assets abroad. The 2023 Indian critical-mineral list and the mineral schedule for central auctions serve different purposes, so they should not be assumed to contain identical sets.