New Delhi: The Technology Translation Research Park (TEXMiN), an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and NITI Aayog have signed a Joint Statement of Intent (SoI) to strengthen collaboration in India’s critical and strategic minerals sector.
The TEXMiN and NITI Aayog collaboration aims to advance indigenous technological capabilities, promote research and innovation, and support the development of resilient and sustainable critical mineral value chains in India.
The partnership aligns with the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) and the vision of an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat.
The SoI was signed during the visit of Prof. Gobardhan Das, Member, NITI Aayog, to IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
During his visit, he inaugurated the National Symposium on Critical Minerals and Rare Earths (CMRE 2026) on October 31, 2026. The symposium was organised as part of the 45th Annual National Conference of the Indian Council of Chemists.
Prof. Gobardhan Das Highlights Strategic Importance of Critical Minerals
Addressing the symposium, Prof. Gobardhan Das highlighted the importance of critical minerals as strategic enablers of national security, technological self-reliance and India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Drawing on India’s rich metallurgical heritage, Prof. Das emphasised the need to build indigenous technological capabilities through research, innovation and industry collaboration.
TEXMiN is part of the collaboration aimed at advancing these capabilities in the critical minerals sector.
Prof. Das stressed the need to move beyond a mine-centric approach towards an integrated value chain covering exploration, processing, refining, advanced materials and recycling.
He also highlighted the potential of recovering critical minerals from secondary resources, including coal fly ash, red mud, mine tailings and electronic waste.
The emphasis was also placed on translating research into commercially viable technologies and promoting sustainable resource utilisation.
Through the Technology Translation Research Park, the collaboration seeks to strengthen the connection between research and technology development in the critical minerals ecosystem.
Four Key Areas of NITI Aayog – TEXMiN Collaboration
The Joint Statement of Intent between NITI Aayog and the Technology Translation Research Park (TEXMiN) envisages cooperation across four key areas.
These include:
- Collaborative research and technology development
- Technical and strategic studies
- Policy and institutional support
- Capacity building and knowledge exchange
The collaboration aims to strengthen indigenous capabilities, facilitate technology translation and promote stronger linkages among government, academia, research institutions and industry.
The TEXMiN initiative at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad is part of the effort to facilitate these linkages and support technology translation in the critical and strategic minerals sector.
National Symposium on Critical Minerals and Rare Earths
The National Symposium on Critical Minerals and Rare Earths (CMRE 2026) brought together policymakers, researchers, technology developers and industry representatives.
The participants deliberated on strengthening India’s critical minerals and rare earths ecosystem, with discussions focused on technological capabilities, research and innovation, and the development of resilient mineral value chains.
The collaboration involving NITI Aayog and the TEXMiN aims to contribute to India’s efforts towards strengthening critical mineral supply chains and advancing technological self-reliance.
The initiative is aligned with the broader objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission and the vision of an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat.
The partnership is expected to support collaboration across government, academia, research institutions and industry while promoting research, technology development, capacity building and knowledge exchange in India’s critical minerals ecosystem.
