Osegi
Business·1 min read

India Cabinet Approves Rs 2,814 Crore Lithium, Nickel Scheme

India's Cabinet has cleared a Rs 2,814 crore scheme to build domestic processing capacity for lithium and nickel and cut reliance on imports.

Industrial facility processing battery metals such as lithium and nickel in India.
Image: YourStory

India's Cabinet has approved a scheme worth Rs 2,814 crore to promote the domestic processing of lithium and nickel, two metals central to battery manufacturing and clean energy technologies.

According to the government, the scheme aims to develop processing capabilities inside the country so that more value is added in India. It is also meant to reduce the country's dependence on imports and to help build a complete value chain for these minerals.

Why it matters

Lithium and nickel are key inputs for batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage. Processing is often the stage where much of the value is created, and countries that rely on imported processed material remain exposed to supply and price swings abroad. By supporting local processing, India is trying to strengthen that link in its supply chain.

For industry, the approval signals policy backing for companies that want to invest in refining and related activities. Startups and established manufacturers working on batteries and related materials could benefit from a more secure domestic supply of processed inputs.

What comes next

The summary of the decision does not detail how the funds will be distributed, which companies may qualify or what timelines apply. Those specifics are expected to emerge as the scheme is notified and implemented.

Apps worth a look

SUMO: the number puzzle

Tap the right tiles, add them up, hit the target. Easy to learn, hard to master. Free, for all ages.

Tags:indialithiumnickelcritical mineralscabinetbatteries

More from this day

See all →

More in: Business

See all →