UPSC Prelims 2026 Question:

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

1. 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: 

Answer: 1 

Explanation:  

Rare Earth Elements and critical minerals are essential for advanced technologies, clean-energy systems and  strategic sectors. REEs are widely used in permanent magnets, electronics, defence systems, renewable-energy  equipment and space-related technologies. Critical minerals have gained policy importance because secure  access to them is necessary for industrial competitiveness, energy transition and technological self-reliance. 

• Modern technological innovations such as Artificial Intelligence hardware, robotics, advanced  electronics, electric vehicles, defence systems and space exploration use Rare Earth Elements in  components such as sensors, magnets, lasers, batteries and precision electronic systems. So, statement 1  is correct. 
• China has the highest share in global REE mining, but India is not second. Current global production  data shows that countries such as the United States, Myanmar and Australia have higher rare-earth mining  output than India. So, statement 2 is not correct. 
• The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission in 2025 to create a  framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. The mission covers exploration, overseas  acquisition of mineral assets, processing, recycling, research and creation of a stronger domestic critical mineral ecosystem. So, statement 3 is correct. 
• Rare Earth Elements are not a set of 13 metallic elements. They are generally understood as a group of  17 metallic elements, consisting of the 15 lanthanides along with scandium and yttrium. So, statement  4 is not correct. 

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.