Relevance: GS-3 (Economy – Strategic Minerals, Manufacturing) • Source: The Hindu, PIB

The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹7,280-crore scheme to establish rare earth permanent magnet (REPM) manufacturing in India. The aim is to reduce dependence on imports—mainly from China—and build domestic capacity for critical technologies.

1. What the Scheme Proposes & Why It Is Needed

• Supports end-to-end production: mining → separation → magnet manufacturing.
• Targets magnets based on Neodymium, Samarium–Cobalt, etc.
• Needed because:
  • India imports over 95% of REPMs.
  • Essential for clean energy, defence, and electronic sectors.
  • Ensures strategic autonomy in supply chains dominated by a few countries.

2. What Are Permanent Magnets?

• Permanent magnets maintain a constant magnetic field without external power.
• They are made using rare earth elements that provide high magnetic strength and heat resistance.

Major Uses:

• Electric vehicle motors
• Wind turbine generators
• Missiles, radar and satellites
• Smartphones, medical devices

Read more about Rare Earth Elements at – Click Here

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Q. Permanent magnets used in advanced technologies often contain which of the following rare earth elements?

1. Neodymium
2. Samarium
3. Cerium

Choose the correct answer:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3