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UPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper 1, question 95

Topic: Economy

Q95

Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ?

  1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs).

  2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India.

  3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector.

  4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements.

Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a) 1 and 3 onlyCorrect answer
  2. (b) 3 only
  3. (c) 1, 3 and 4
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 4

Solution.

Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only

  1. Statement 1 is correct: Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are essential for high-strength permanent magnets, actuators, sensors, and lasers used across AI hardware, robotics, electric vehicles, and space systems.
  2. Statement 2 is incorrect: while China accounts for the largest share (about 60-70%) of global REE mining, it is followed by the United States, Myanmar, and Australia, with India accounting for less than 1% of global mine production.
  3. Statement 3 is correct: the Union Cabinet approved the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in January 2025 to secure domestic exploration, processing, and overseas acquisition of critical minerals.
  4. Statement 4 is incorrect: Rare Earth Elements comprise a set of 17 metallic elements (the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium), not 13.