Detailed Explanation:

Correct Answer: ✅ Option 3 (I and III only)

Critical minerals are essential for sectors such as clean energy, electronics, electric vehicles, semiconductors, and defense. India has taken both international and domestic initiatives to secure access to these minerals.

✅ Statement I is Correct: India joined the Minerals Security Partnership in 2023 to strengthen critical mineral supply chains and reduce vulnerabilities.

❌ Statement II is Incorrect: India is not resource-rich in all 30 critical minerals identified by the government. It remains heavily dependent on imports for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite.

✅ Statement III is Correct: The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 empowered the Central Government to exclusively auction mining leases and composite licenses for certain critical and strategic minerals.

Short Notes: Critical Minerals in India

• Critical minerals are essential for renewable energy, EVs, electronics, and defense industries.

• India identified 30 critical minerals for economic and strategic security.

• India joined the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) in 2023.

• MSP aims to build secure and sustainable global critical mineral supply chains.

• Key critical minerals include lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and rare earth elements.

• The MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 introduced reforms to accelerate exploration and mining of critical minerals.

• India remains import-dependent for several strategic minerals despite having domestic reserves of some minerals.