India Plans ₹3,000 Crore Push for Lithium, Nickel Processing
India is set to introduce a new incentive policy aimed at boosting domestic lithium and nickel processing, with an estimated outlay of around ₹3,000 crore. The initiative, expected to be announced soon by the Ministry of Mines, is designed to strengthen the country’s critical minerals ecosystem and reduce dependence on imports.
The move follows earlier reports that lithium and nickel would be covered under the government’s processing incentive scheme. In April, the Mines Secretary confirmed that two key minerals linked to India’s electric vehicle (EV) value chain had been shortlisted for policy support, though specific details were not disclosed at the time.
Lithium and nickel play a crucial role in EV battery manufacturing, making them essential to India’s clean mobility ambitions. The government aims to increase electric vehicle adoption to 30% for passenger cars and 80% for two-wheelers by 2030. Under the proposed policy, lithium processing facilities may require a minimum capacity of 30,000 metric tons, while nickel processing plants may need at least 50,000 metric tons to qualify for incentives.
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