India's Nickel-Cobalt Self-Reliance: Integrating Geological Frameworks, Lateritic Resources, Deep Ocean Mission, and National Critical Minerals Mission Pathways

India faces significant vulnerabilities in its supply chains for nickel and cobalt, critical metals essential for stainless steel, high-temperature alloys, and lithium-ion batteries in the clean energy transition. Despite substantial domestic lateritic resources in regions like Odisha and Jharkhand, and potential offshore polymetallic nodules via the Deep Ocean Mission, India remains nearly 100% import-dependent. This article synthesizes global and Indian geological frameworks, resource distribu