The Technology Translation Research Park (TEXMiN), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to strengthen research, innovation, higher education and technology development in critical minerals, rare earth elements and allied sectors.
The partnership comes as Andhra Pradesh looks to strengthen its position in India’s critical minerals ecosystem. The state is among four states selected for a Dedicated Rare Earth Corridor under the Union Budget 2026-27 and accounts for nearly 31% of India’s reported monazite resources.
Under its Integrated Strategic Material Hub ambition, Andhra Pradesh is targeting investments of around Rs 50,000 crore and the creation of 40,000 jobs over the next decade. The state government and TEXMiN said that developing this resource base into a functioning industrial ecosystem will require greater collaboration among government, academia, research institutions and industry.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, along with senior state government officials. Representing TEXMiN, TTRP, DST and the Government of India, the agreement was signed by Prof Dheeraj Kumar, Head, CoRE-MiN (NCMM-CoE) and Director, TEXMiN Foundation, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad; Muhammed Danish, CBDO, TEXMiN; and Vikram K Y, CMD, RESCMM, a TEXMiN-incubated startup.
Two key institutions planned under partnership
A key component of the collaboration is the establishment of the Andhra Pradesh State Centre of Excellence for Critical Minerals, Rare Earth Elements, Strategic Minerals and Allied Domains.
The partners also plan to establish a TEXMiN, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad Out Campus or Extension Centre in Andhra Pradesh, preferably in Vijayawada. The centre will support academic programmes, executive education, research, innovation and engagement with industry.
According to the partners, the proposed Centre of Excellence will focus on creating a ‘waste-to-wealth’ ecosystem. This will include assessing waste dumps for critical minerals and rare earth element content and developing proof-of-concept and pilot projects to demonstrate commercial viability.
The Centre of Excellence will also support the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) in the expression of interest (EoI) and tendering process for the commercial extraction of critical minerals and rare earth elements.
Focus on research and technology transfer
Prof Sukumar Mishra, Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Chairman, Hub Governing Board, TEXMiN, TTRP, DST, Government of India, said the agreement would extend IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s institutional capabilities into a state with significant strategic importance in critical minerals.
Prof Dheeraj Kumar said Andhra Pradesh’s Dedicated Rare Earth Corridor status and monazite resources make it suitable for developing a dedicated critical minerals ecosystem. He added that the partnership will bring research capabilities in exploration, mineral processing and technology translation into the state, including waste-to-wealth projects and AI-driven mining technologies.
Under the agreement, the Andhra Pradesh government will identify and allocate land or infrastructure for the proposed centres, provide seed funding and budgetary support, facilitate statutory clearances and single-window assistance, and provide access to geological data and field sites.
TEXMiN and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad will provide academic, scientific and technical leadership, develop executive and professional programmes, deploy faculty and research scholars, lead research and technology-transfer activities, and assist the state government in preparing a detailed project report and implementation roadmap.
Centres targeted for phased rollout
The MoU provides for a phased implementation plan. A Joint Working Group comprising officials and faculty from both sides will be constituted within 30 days of the agreement becoming effective.
The group will prepare a Detailed Project Report covering location, governance, staffing, curriculum and costs within 90 days. A Joint Steering Committee, co-chaired by the Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Department of Mines and Geology and the Director of TEXMiN Foundation, will review progress on a quarterly basis.
The partners are targeting operationalisation of the Extension Centre within 12 months and the Centre of Excellence within 18 months of approval of the report. The MoU will remain valid for five years.
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