India Plans Strategic Rare Earth Reserve: Defence Update for NDA Exam Preparation (20 September 2025)

News Highlights:

India is considering establishing a strategic reserve of critical minerals and rare earth elements for emergency use in defence manufacturing. This move aims to secure a steady supply of essential minerals vital for producing defence equipment, reducing dependency on imports during crises. The decision aligns with global trends where countries build stockpiles of strategic materials to ensure national security and maintain defence readiness. Rajesh Kumar Singh, a senior official from the Ministry of Defence, revealed this plan during a recent press event in New Delhi. The proposed reserve will serve to quickly address urgent needs in defence production, especially under scenarios where supply chains might be disrupted. This initiative forms part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

NDA Exam Relevance:
For NDA aspirants, understanding India’s efforts to secure strategic mineral reserves is important for general knowledge and current affairs sections. It highlights India’s strategic defence preparedness and resource security, which are crucial themes in defence-related questions. This news is also relevant for SSB interviews and written exams, where knowledge of national defence policies and industrial advancements is often tested. Staying updated on such developments helps aspirants connect real-world defence issues with their exam content.

MCQs / Practice Questions:

1. What is the primary purpose of India’s planned strategic rare earth reserve?
   a) To increase exports of rare earth minerals
   b) To ensure emergency supply for defence manufacturing
   c) To promote rare earth mining for civilian industries
   d) To reduce the cost of defence equipment
2. Who revealed the plan for India’s strategic mineral reserve for defence?
   a) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
   b) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
   c) Rajesh Kumar Singh, MoD official
   d) Indian Army Chief

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