I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member.

II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that it has identified.

III. The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for certain critical minerals.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) I and II only

(b) II and III only

(c) I and III only

(d) I, II and III

Ans-c

Explanation

Mineral Security Partnership (MSP)- It is a US-led collaboration of 23 countries that aims to catalyse public and private investment in critical mineral supply chains globally. 

India’s inclusion assumes significance given that one of the key elements is the ambitious shift in the mobility space through the conversion of a large part of public and private transport to electric vehicles.

Hence, statement 1 is correct.

A total of 30 minerals were found to be most critical for India , India is 100% import-dependent for certain elements.

Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowers  the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite licence for certain critical minerals .

Hence, statement 3 is correct.

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