Consider the following statements about Critical Minerals Mission and Semi-Conductor Mission: I. The four IITs recognized as Centers of Excellence under the National Critical Minerals Mission are IIT Bombay, Hyderabad, ISM Dhanbad, and IIT Guwahati. II. The total number of approved projects under the India Semi-conductor Mission has reached 10, spread across six states: Odisha, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. III. The National Metallurgical Laboratory of Jamshedpur is one of the three R&D labs recognized as a Center of Excellence under the Critical Minerals Mission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct answer is Only II and III . In News The government of India has been actively promoting its Critical Minerals Mission and Semiconductor Mission to ensure self-reliance in critical technologies and resources. Key Points The second statement is correct: The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) has made significant progress, with 10 approved projects spanning six states: Odisha, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. This initiative aims to develop a robust semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem to reduce dependency on imports and boost domestic production. The third statement is correct: The National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML) in Jamshedpur is among the three recognized R&D labs that have been designated as Centers of Excellence under the Critical Minerals Mission. NML plays a vital role in advancing research on critical minerals, which are essential for strategic sectors such as defense, renewable energy, and electronics. The first statement is incorrect: The Critical Minerals Mission does not include all the four IITs mentioned (IIT Bombay, Hyderabad, ISM Dhanbad, and IIT Guwahati) as Centers of Excellence. Only specific institutions and labs have been recognized based on their expertise and contributions. Additional Information Critical Minerals Mission This mission focuses on ensuring a steady and secure supply of critical minerals that are essential for India's technological and industrial growth. Critical minerals include lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements, which are key for renewable energy, batteries, and electronics. The mission also emphasizes recycling, R&D, and exploration to reduce import dependence. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) Launched by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), ISM is part of the government's broader effort to boost the electronics manufacturing sector. The mission encourages private players and global giants to establish semiconductor manufacturing facilities in India. It also focuses on skill development, R&D, and infrastructure support for semiconductor design and manufacturing. National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML) Established in 1950, NML is a premier research organization under the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). It specializes in mineral processing, metallurgy, and materials science, contributing significantly to India's industrial development. The lab focuses on resource conservation, waste utilization, and innovation in critical minerals research.