Hyderabad: Telangana is set to strengthen its position as a key research hub with the allocation of two prestigious Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for critical minerals research under the Union government’s National Critical Mineral Mission. These centres, to be housed at IIT Hyderabad and the Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC), will focus on innovation in minerals vital for clean energy, defence, electronics and space technologies.
The initiative is part of the Centre’s Rs.16,300-crore National Critical Mineral Mission, supported by an additional Rs.18,000 crore from public sector undertakings, aimed at boosting research in minerals of strategic importance.
“The allocation of these two CoEs to Telangana is a testament to the state’s growing stature in scientific innovation,” said Union minister G. Kishan Reddy, whose efforts were instrumental in securing the centres for Hyderabad.
The ministry of mines is setting up seven such centres across the country — at four IITs (Hyderabad, Bombay, ISM Dhanbad and Roorkee) and key R&D hubs in Bhubaneswar, Jamshedpur and Hyderabad. These institutes will lead advanced research and technological development in India’s strategic minerals sector.
IIT Hyderabad recently partnered with Coal India to establish the Centre for Clean Coal Energy and Net Zero (CLEANZ), reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy. NFTDC, meanwhile, is advancing innovation in electronics, including the development of alternate magnets for compact devices and rare-earth magnets critical for electric vehicles.
These initiatives are expected to drive India’s progress in mobility transition, clean energy, defence and space, positioning Telangana as a frontrunner in the national innovation landscape. With the establishment of these centres, Telangana is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s push for self-reliance in critical minerals and related technologies.
