Politics and Policy of Critical Minerals

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Important Dates

Programme Begins
Saturday, 9 May 2026

Early Bird Deadline (10% scholarship)
Sunday, 12 April 2026

Application Deadline
Sunday, 3 May 2026

Programme Ends
Saturday, 30 May 2026

Why take this course?

At the heart of the world's energy transition is a singular, uncomfortable reality - the supply chains underpinning this shift are dirty, fragile, and concentrated. In a world of US-China tech competition and the weaponisation of trade, this dependence is now being tested.

But how did China come to dominate critical mineral supply chains so thoroughly? And why is derisking from China - something every major economy now says it wants - so stubbornly difficult in practice?

This course unpacks the complexities at the intersection of geopolitics, technology, economics, and policy of critical minerals. Across the mineral supply chains, what are the embedded political economy structures and where does value accrue? From diplomatic responses to counter Chinese dominance, to the real costs of "friend-shoring" and why private capital isn't following the policy signals -  the course equips you with the analytical frameworks to go beyond headlines, understand the deeper factors at play and contribute meaningfully to the public discourse. 

If you are a business leader, technology strategist, policymaker, journalist or just curious about one of the defining geopolitical contestations of this decade, this course is for you. As geopolitical issues become part of boardroom conversations, a deeper understanding of the factors at play is a necessity.

Delivered online through webinars, real-world case studies, expert guest lectures, and discussions.

Course Overview
Demystifying Critical Minerals

This unit provides a foundational understanding of the geopolitics, technology and economics of critical minerals, and dissects the structural reasons behind China’s current dominance in the sector.

CM01: The Big Picture

Through real-world examples, this unit pulls back the curtain on the paradoxes of green transition. The global shift to Net Zero is far from clean and is tethered to the extractive supply chains of critical minerals.

CM02: The Inconvenient Truth about Green Transition

The Global Scramble for Critical Minerals

CM03: Resource Nationalism, Policy Responses and Diplomatic Efforts

With case-studies of resource-rich nations, the US, Japan and EU, this unit unpacks the geopolitical tug-of-war shaping supply chains while nations attempt to safeguard their interests.

CM04: Market Failures, Tradeoffs, and Following the Money

This unit explains the tussle between market incentives and strategic concerns and why private capital has been stubbornly inert to policy signals. Students will be introduced to different finance mechanisms and ways to bridge this investment gap.

Challenges in India’s mining, processing and recycling industries and policy recommendations necessary for India’s mineral resilience.

CM05: India’s Domestic Policy and What Needs Fixing

Where India Stands

An interactive conversation with industry and government experts, aimed at providing an insight into recent policy developments as well as market and technology trends in India’s critical mineral industry.

CM06: Expert-Panel Discussion

Where do we go from here?

CM07: Substitution, Recycling and the Limits of Technological Escape

This unit surveys the latest research and innovation in material science and engineering, exploring how far emerging solutions can take us.

CM08: Expert-Panel Discussion

This closing webinar will tie the multiple threads explored in the course and provide a forward-looking assessment on the next decade

Fee Structure

The programme fee for individuals is ₹10,000 (plus GST). Once paid, fees are non-refundable.

We offer a 20% scholarship for students and Takshashila alumni, and the fee is ₹8,000 plus GST.

Admissions Process

The Academic Committee will review the application form. Please take some time to reflect on your purpose of taking up this course and how you think you will be able to use the learning in future. The Committee gives significant weightage to this response in their decision while reviewing the application. Hence, you are requested to fill the application form with sincerity and diligence, latest by 3 May, 2026, 11:59 PM IST.

After the application review, the Committee shall reach out via e-mail for course payment. For any queries, contact shobhankita@takshashila.org.in

Subsequently, the selected and paid applicants shall be boarded onto OpenTakshashila, a free and open platform to reflect, educate, and discuss. All course readings, webinar recordings and slides shall be available on OpenTakshashila course space.

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Faculty

Tomasz Nadrowski

Portfolio Manager, Amvest Terraden Critical Materials Fund and Author of Mineral War: China’s Quest for Weapons of Mineral Destruction

Shobhankita Reddy
Lead Faculty

Researcher in technology geopolitics at the Takshashila Institution with a focus on China’s science and tech ecosystem and critical minerals

Narayan Ramachandran

Co-founder of the Takshashila Institution, Columnist and Emerging Market Investor. Previously the Country Head of Morgan Stanley in India

Pranay Kotasthane

Deputy Director of the Takshashila Institution.
Co-author of three books in public policy

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Bachelor’s degree in any discipline is a must. Final-year students are also encourages to apply.

  • The course is a 4-week programme.

  • The programme is delivered online through live webinars.

  • There will be two live online webinars every week, each lasting 90 minutes. Students will need to spend approximately 2-3 hours per week on readings and preparations. Therefore, the total amount of time that a student will be expected to spend in a week would be approximately six hours.

  • The programme fee for individuals is ₹10,000 (plus GST). Once paid, fees are non-refundable.

    We offer a 20% scholarship for students and Takshashila alumni, and the fee is ₹8,000 plus GST.

  • No application fee is required.

  • The Capsule Course is an independent certificate programme of the Takshashila Institution and is not affiliated to any university.

  • The last day for applications is Sunday, 3rd May, 2026. Early bird applications (10% discount) close April 12th, 2026

  • Email your queries at ecc-criticalminerals@takshashila.org.in