Applicants must be companies registered in India under the Companies Act, 2013, or LLPs registered
under the LLP Act, 2008. They must be investing in recycling projects for recovery of critical minerals
from eligible waste streams. (Ref. Clause 2.1 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

The Incentive Scheme covers: (a) Spent LIB scrap, (b) E-waste, (c) Other eligible waste such as permanent
magnets, catalytic converters, spent catalysts, and alloy scraps containing critical minerals. (Ref. Clause
2.28 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

The Incentive Scheme is valid for six (6) financial years, from FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31. (Ref. Clause 5.1
of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

Applications will initially be accepted for six (6) months from the date of notification. Further rounds may
be opened as per requirement. (Ref. Clause 8.3 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

Beneficiaries are classified based on Global Manufacturing Revenue (GMR): Group A (≥ ₹200 Cr) - Large
recyclers; Group B (< ₹200 Cr) - Small/new recyclers including startups. (Ref. Clause 3.1.1 of the
Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

Group A: 10,000 TPA capacity & ₹100 Cr investment; Group B: 5,000 TPA capacity & ₹25 Cr investment
until unless specified. (Ref. Clause 6.1.1 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

Eligible investments include plant, machinery, utilities, environmental systems, in-house R&D, IPRs,
technology transfer, packaging, freight, insurance, erection & commissioning (up to 7.5%). Land, building,
consumables, and raw material are not eligible. (Ref. Clause 6.2 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

Yes, up to 20% of eligible investment may consist of refurbished equipment with at least 5 years residual
life, certified by a Chartered Engineer and verified by PMA. (Ref. Clause 6.2.10 of the Incentive Scheme
Guidelines)

Capex Incentive: 14-20% of eligible capital expenditure, linked to production start timelines and
depending upon EC. Opex Incentive: Based on net incremental sales over FY 2025-26, disbursed in two
tranches (40% at Year 2 and 60% at Year 5). (Ref. Clause 7.1, 7.2 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

Group A: up to ₹50 Cr (max ₹10 Cr Opex). Group B: up to ₹25 Cr (max ₹5 Cr Opex). Combined ceilings
apply where multiple entities are under the same beneficial owner. (Ref. Clause 7.3 of the Incentive
Scheme Guidelines)

Applications must be submitted online through the Ministry of Mines portal, with prescribed fees
(₹20,000 for Group A; ₹10,000 for Group B). (Ref. Clause 8.1.3 and 8.2.1 of the Incentive Scheme
Guidelines)

A comprehensive list of the documents required for the application, eligibility, and disbursement stages
is provided in Annexure-5 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines. (Ref. Annexure-5 of the Incentive Scheme
Guidelines)

Disbursement will occur after verification by the PMA and approval by the Executive Committee, based
on statutory certifications and meeting thresholds. (Ref. Clause 10.1-10.7 of the Incentive Scheme
Guidelines)

No. Entities solely engaged in collection, dismantling, shredding, or producing black mass without
further extraction are not eligible. (Ref. Clause 6.1.2 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines

Recyclers handling EPR-covered waste (LIBs, e-waste) must obtain CPCB registration and furnish proof
with their application. (Ref. Clause 6.1.4 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

Recyclers handling EPR-covered waste (LIBs, e-waste) must obtain CPCB registration and furnish proof
with their application. (Ref. Clause 6.1.4 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

Applicants must comply with Companies Act, 2013, and Income Tax Act. An undertaking confirming
arm's length pricing is required. Excess incentives due to later adjustments must be refunded. (Ref.
Clause 11.1-11.3 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

Beneficiaries must remain in production for at least 3 years from commencement or 1 year after last
incentive receipt, whichever is later. (Ref. Clause 7.5.1 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

The applicant will not receive incentive for that year but may still claim incentives in subsequent years,
provided thresholds are met. (Ref. Clause 7.2.3 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

Yes. SPVs or subsidiaries promoted by the same parent can apply individually, subject to ceilings on
combined incentives. (Ref. Clause 3.2.4 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

The PMA manages applications, verifies claims, issues acknowledgements, and recommends
disbursements to the Executive Committee. (Ref. Clause 9.1 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

The EC reviews PMA recommendations, approves/rejects eligibility, and sanctions incentive
disbursements. (Ref. Clause 9.2 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

All beneficiaries shall furnish Quarterly Review Reports (QRRs) within 30 days from the end of each
quarter, in the prescribed format on the online portal. (Ref. Clause 12.2 of the Incentive Scheme
Guidelines)

Any clarification regarding the provisions of the Incentive Scheme may be sought in writing via email at
director[at]jnarddc[dot]gov[dot]in. (Ref. Clause 13.1 of the Incentive Scheme Guidelines)

Yes. LAB recyclers recovering critical minerals (such as Antimony, Tin, or other listed critical
minerals present in LAB waste) can apply under the “Other Waste” category of the Incentive Scheme.
To qualify, the project must:

Recover atleast three (3) critical minerals with ≥99% purity and ≥80% yield
• Processing of mixed or multiple waste streams may be included within a single integrated
project and
• Ensure all processes and outputs are traceable and compliant with Incentive Scheme norms.

Yes. Mixed ormultiple waste streams(e.g., e-waste and spent catalysts) can be processed under
a single integrated project if:
• The recovery of atleast three critical mineralsis ensured, and
• Each output meets purity, yield, and traceability standards prescribed in the Incentive
Scheme.

For determining GMR, the consolidated revenue of all entities forming part of the same Group
Company/Companies, including direct and indirect subsidiaries or holding entities (second tier etc.),
shall be considered. The definition of Group Company/ Companies follows Clause 2.17 of the Incentive
Scheme Guidelines.

Yes, but only if the expenditure was provisioned or clearly indicated in the approved DPR, where
the DPR specifies that the investment will be made in a phased manner after commencement of
commercial production, and subject to the following conditions:

a. The investment pertains to eligible plant and machinery under the Incentive Scheme.
b. The investment is capitalized and verified by the Statutory Auditor and Chartered Engineer
prior to submission of the final (Part-2) CAPEX claim.
Only investments made on or after 8th September 2025 (date of Incentive Scheme notification) are
eligible for incentive consideration.

Yes. All documents uploaded on the Incentive Scheme portal must be self-certified by an
authorized signatory of the applicant company. However, documents requiring specific certifications
(e.g., Chartered Engineer, Statutory Auditor, or Board Resolution) must be uploaded in their officially
attested formats.

If recycled critical minerals are used internally by the applicant instead of being sold, the
methodology for calculating equivalent incremental sales will be issued separately by the Project
Management Agency (PMA).

If specific documents are unavailable during the application or evaluation stage, the applicant may
submit an undertaking on company letterhead (signed by a competent authority). Such undertakings
will be accepted during the application or evaluation stage; however, the actual documents must be
submitted later within the approved timelines. Incentive disbursement will be made only after
commencement of commercial production and submission of all valid requisite documents.

If specific documents are unavailable during the application or evaluation stage, the applicant may
submit an undertaking on company letterhead (signed by a competent authority). Such undertakings
will be accepted during the application or evaluation stage; however, the actual documents must be
submitted later within the approved timelines. Incentive disbursement will be made only after
commencement of commercial production and submission of all valid requisite documents.

No. The CIBIL score is used only to identify defaulters/non-defaulters and does not affect the
marking during evaluation. If a company has no borrowing history, the “Not Applicable” option may
be selected.

Yes. Applicants may operate multiple collection, dismantling, or processing facilities in different
places, with refining or recovery carried out at a central plant. Such multi-location operations are
permissible as long as all material movements are traceable and the entire process complies with
Incentive Scheme requirements.

No. Applications are not rejected solely due to inadvertent errors, omissions, or incomplete
documentation at the time of initial submission. However, all information and documents prescribed
under the Scheme are mandatory, and no document or required information can be skipped.

In cases where any incorrect information is entered, or required documents are missing or
incomplete, the Project Management Agency (PMA) will intimate the
applicant of the specific deficiencies and provide adequate opportunity and reasonable time to submit
the required documents or clarifications for compliance, in accordance with the Scheme guidelines.
The PMA team extends handholding support to genuine applicants and assists them throughout the
application process, including:
• Submission of the online application
• Acknowledgement of application receipt
• Identification and rectification of deficiencies, if any
• Processing at the eligibility stage
• Guidance on subsequent stages, as applicable under the Scheme
This facilitative approach is intended to support complete and compliant applications, ensure
procedural clarity, and encourage meaningful participation, while strictly adhering to the
requirements and objectives of the Incentive Scheme.

Changes may be permitted only in the details contained in Part B of the Eligibility Letter (Project
Information, including Critical Mineral Outputs and other project-specific information), subject to
approval by the competent authority and compliance with the Scheme Guidelines.

However, changes shall not be permitted in fundamental approval
parameters (Information Mentioned in the Part A of Eligibility Letter), including:
a. Beneficiary/Beneficiary Group details;
b. Project category (Greenfield/Brownfield);
c. Other core eligibility conditions forming the basis of project approval.

In cases where an approved project isimplemented in phases, across multiple locations, or
involves multiple input waste streams, an entity
may commence commercial production and become eligible to submit a subsidy claim before
completion of the entire proposed investment. However, prior to submission of a subsidy claim, the
entity shall be required to fulfil the minimum threshold requirements relating to investment,
processing capacity, and other conditions prescribed under the Scheme Guidelines. Such cases may
include situations where:

a. Commercial production has commenced at one or more project locations
while remaining at approved locations is pending;
b. Commercial production has commenced for one or more approved processing
streams while the remaining approved streams are yet to be commissioned;
c. A combination of the above scenarios; or
d. Commercial production has commenced before the entire proposed
investment.
In all such cases, the eligible investment for subsidy purposes shall
be determined based on the investment incurred up to the date of submission of the first subsidy
claim.
Upon assessment of the first subsidy claim, the eligible investment shall be determined and
considered final for the purpose of calculating the total admissible subsidy under the Scheme.
Accordingly, any investment incurred after submission of the first subsidy claim, including investment
in subsequent phases, additional project locations, expansion of existing facilities, additional
processing streams, or additional critical mineral outputs, shall not be considered for determination of
eligible investment and shall not result in any increase in the admissible subsidy.

The eligible subsidy under the Scheme is determined on the basis of the eligible investment.
The eligible investment for subsidy shall be calculated as follows:
Eligible Investment forsubsidy = Eligible Investment – Non-creditable taxes and duties – Expenditure
towards Transfer of Technology and Royalty
Please note that investment towards non-creditable taxes and duties, expenditure towards Transfer of
Technology and royalty may be included for threshold computation but shall not be incentivized.
Based on the eligible investment for subsidy, the eligible subsidy shall
be determined in accordance with the applicable subsidy rate prescribed under the Scheme,
considering factors such as:
• Whether the project is a Greenfield or Brownfield project;
• Whether the project is being implemented with EC or otherwise, as applicable under the
Scheme; and
• Achievement of the prescribed timeline for commencement of commercial production
from the date of issue of the Eligibility Letter.

The eligible subsidy so determined may be claimed either:
a. Entirely as CAPEX subsidy; or
b. As a combination of CAPEX subsidy and OPEX subsidy.
Where an entity opts for a combination of CAPEX subsidy and OPEX subsidy, the OPEX component
shall not exceed 20% of the eligible subsidy, and the balance subsidy shall be claimed as CAPEX
subsidy.
Illustration 1: New Unit (without Environmental Clearance)
c. Eligible Investment: ₹50 Crore
d. Commercial Production commenced within 12 months from issuance of
Eligibility Letter
e. Applicable Subsidy Percentage: 20%
Total Eligible Incentive = 20% × ₹50 Crore = ₹10 Crore
If the entity opts for the maximum permissible OPEX incentive:
f. OPEX Incentive = Up to a maximum of 20% of Total Eligible Incentive
g. Max OPEX Incentive = ₹2 Crore
h. CAPEX Incentive = ₹8 Crore
i. Total Incentive = ₹10 Crore
If the entity opts not to avail OPEX incentive:
j. OPEX Incentive = Nil
k. CAPEX Incentive = ₹10 Crore
l. Total Incentive = ₹10 Crore
Illustration 2: New Unit (without Environmental Clearance)
m. Eligible Investment: ₹200 Crore
n. Commercial Production commenced after 12 months but within 18 months from
issuance of Eligibility Letter
o. Applicable Subsidy Percentage: 17%
Total Eligible Incentive = 17% × ₹200 Crore = ₹34 Crore
If the entity opts for the maximum permissible OPEX incentive:
p. OPEX Incentive = Up to a maximum of 20% of Total Eligible Incentive
q. Max OPEX Incentive = ₹6.8 Crore
r. CAPEX Incentive = ₹27.2 Crore
s. Total Incentive = ₹34 Crore
If the entity opts not to avail OPEX incentive:
t. OPEX Incentive = Nil
u. CAPEX Incentive = ₹34 Crore
v. Total Incentive = ₹34 Crore

The CAPEX subsidy shall be released in two tranches:
a. First Tranche: Upon commencement of commercial production and fulfilment of
the applicable conditions prescribed under the Scheme.
b. Second Tranche: Upon achievement of 50% capacity utilisation and fulfilment of
the applicable conditions prescribed under the Scheme.
The claim for the second tranche shall be submitted no later than FY 2029-30.
In all cases, subsidy disbursement shall remain subject to fulfilment of the eligibility conditions,
performance parameters, documentation requirements, and other provisions of the Scheme
Guidelines.

The approved OPEX subsidy shall be released in two tranches linked to achievement of
incremental sales targets:
a. First Tranche: Upon achievement of the incremental sales target for FY 2027-28.
b. Second Tranche: Upon achievement of the incremental sales target for FY
2030-31.
Release of OPEX subsidy shall be subject to fulfilment of the prescribed conditions and verification
of the applicable incremental sales targets under the Scheme Guidelines.