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Topic 250 · Science, Technology & Space

Sodium-ion batteries and India's lithium dependence

10 MCQs · tap an option to check it · All answers

Revise the 12 points first Book 1 RATNA

Core Trigger: Early-February 2026 explainers argued that sodium-ion batteries could cut India's dependence on imported lithium.
Key Advantage: Sodium-ion cells are cheaper and safer than lithium-ion cells, and perform better in cold weather.
Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Mines runs the National Critical Mineral Mission, which backs upstream mining and refining.
Key Term: The Lithium Triangle is Argentina, Bolivia and Chile; China dominates lithium supply chains.
Mission Data: The Mission was approved in January 2025 with an outlay of Rs 34,300 crore over six years.
Stakeholders: KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd) is a joint venture of NALCO, HCL and MECL for overseas mineral assets.
India Link: The PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell batteries aims at domestic cell making; sodium-ion offers a lithium-free route.
Resource Base: Sodium can be sourced from domestic materials such as soda ash, avoiding overseas brine supplies.
Founded: KABIL was incorporated in 2019 to secure critical and strategic minerals abroad.
Landmark: The MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 let the Centre auction critical mineral blocks, including lithium.
Articles: Mines and mineral development fall under Entry 54, Union List, and Entry 23, State List, read with Article 246.
Doctrine: The public trust doctrine, applied in M.C. Mehta v Kamal Nath (1997), makes the State trustee of natural resources.

Question 1 of 10

Early-February 2026 explainers argued sodium-ion batteries could cut India's dependence on imported what?

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Answer: (D) Lithium

Core Trigger: Early-February 2026 explainers argued that sodium-ion batteries could cut India's dependence on imported lithium.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 250, point 1

Question 2 of 10

Which of the following is/are correct? 1. Sodium-ion cells are cheaper than lithium-ion cells. 2. They perform worse in cold weather.

Show answer

Answer: (A) Only 1

Key Advantage: Sodium-ion cells are cheaper and safer than lithium-ion cells, and perform better in cold weather.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 250, point 2

Question 3 of 10

Which Union Ministry runs the National Critical Mineral Mission?

Show answer

Answer: (A) Ministry of Mines

Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Mines runs the National Critical Mineral Mission, which backs upstream mining and refining.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 250, point 3

Question 4 of 10

The Lithium Triangle comprises Argentina, Chile and which country?

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Answer: (D) Bolivia

Key Term: The Lithium Triangle is Argentina, Bolivia and Chile; China dominates lithium supply chains.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 250, point 4

Question 5 of 10

The National Critical Mineral Mission, approved in January 2025, has what outlay?

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Answer: (C) Rs 34,300 crore

Mission Data: The Mission was approved in January 2025 with an outlay of Rs 34,300 crore over six years.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 250, point 5

Question 6 of 10

KABIL is a joint venture of NALCO, HCL and which other entity?

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Answer: (A) MECL

Stakeholders: KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd) is a joint venture of NALCO, HCL and MECL for overseas mineral assets.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 250, point 6

Question 7 of 10

Sodium can be sourced from which domestic material?

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Answer: (B) Soda ash

Resource Base: Sodium can be sourced from domestic materials such as soda ash, avoiding overseas brine supplies.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 250, point 8

Question 8 of 10

KABIL was incorporated in which year?

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Founded: KABIL was incorporated in 2019 to secure critical and strategic minerals abroad.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 250, point 9

Question 9 of 10

The MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 let the Centre do what?

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Answer: (B) Auction critical mineral blocks

Landmark: The MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 let the Centre auction critical mineral blocks, including lithium.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 250, point 10

Question 10 of 10

Which of the following is/are correct? 1. Mines fall under Entry 54, Union List, and Entry 23, State List. 2. The State is trustee of natural resources (public trust).

Show answer

Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

Articles: Mines and mineral development fall under Entry 54, Union List, and Entry 23, State List, read with Article 246. Doctrine: The public trust doctrine, applied in M.C. Mehta v Kamal Nath (1997), makes the State trustee of natural resources.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 250, point 11, point 12

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