♦ Parliament passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025 with Rajya Sabha approved the Bill on 19 August 2025.

♦ The bill aimed at promoting sustainable mining, zero-waste practices, and advancing the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission. 

♦ Under the National Critical Mineral Mission, the government has identified 24 critical minerals and is promoting domestic production through onshore and offshore exploration.

♦ The first auction of offshore mineral blocks, including polymetallic nodules in the Andaman Sea, was launched in November 2024.

♦ India is also exploring critical minerals abroad, signing agreements with countries like Argentina and Zambia to facilitate resource development.