Budget 2026: India Unveils Rare Earth Corridors, Signals Strategic Shift

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced rare earth corridors in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha during the Union Budget 2026-27 speech.
• This move signifies a strategic shift towards Atma Nirbharta (self-reliance) in critical minerals essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy, semiconductors, and defense.
• The initiative aims to reduce India's dependence on imports and China's dominant control over rare earth processing, enhancing geopolitical leverage.
• Corridors will concentrate mining, processing, refining, and manufacturing in resource-rich coastal states, moving India up the value chain.
• The timing is crucial amidst global supply chain disruptions, positioning India as a reliable producer and strategic alternative, attracting investment and technology partnerships.

Why It Matters: India's Budget 2026 unveils rare earth corridors, marking a strategic shift towards self-reliance and global influence.