Heavy Industries Ministry Extends Global Tender Timeline under Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) Scheme

📌 Summary:

• Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) extended the global tender timeline under the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM): bid due date moved from 29.06.2026 to 29.07.2026; technical-bid opening from 30.06.2026 to 30.07.2026, to widen participation
• The global tender (invited 20 March 2026) selects manufacturers to set up integrated rare-earth permanent-magnet facilities in India
• The REPM Scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet on 26 November 2025 with an outlay of ₹7,280 crore; a first-of-its-kind initiative targeting 6,000 MTPA of integrated REPM manufacturing capacity
• Goal: build the complete value chain from NdPr oxide to finished magnets in India, enhancing self-reliance and reducing import dependence (China dominates global supply)
• Rare Earth Permanent Magnets are critical inputs for electric vehicles, wind turbines, high-end electronics, aerospace and defence systems

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Economy (Manufacturing) & critical-minerals security — reducing strategic import dependence and building domestic value chains for the energy and defence transition.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• REPM Scheme outlay: ₹7,280 crore; approved 26 November 2025; target capacity 6,000 MTPA
• Administered by the Ministry of Heavy Industries; tender hosted on the Central Public Procurement (CPP) Portal
• Value chain spans NdPr (Neodymium-Praseodymium) oxide to finished magnets

🔑 Key Term: Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) — high-strength magnets (e.g. NdFeB) made using rare-earth elements, essential for EV motors, wind turbines, electronics and defence systems.