DGFT bans export of lithium-ion battery waste ('black mass')

11 November 2026 · English Economy & Banking

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Current affairs of 11 November 2026 (Shanmugam IAS Academy) – explained for UPSC, TNPSC and other competitive exams

News

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Union Commerce Ministry, prohibited with immediate effect the export of unsorted battery waste and scrap free of lead, cadmium and mercury – identified as lithium-ion battery 'black mass', the powder obtained by shredding spent cells. By a notification dated 10 November 2026, the export policy of ITC(HS) code 85491400 was changed from 'Free' to 'Prohibited' until further orders. It was issued under Sections 3 and 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 and the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. Black mass contains critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese and graphite, which can be recovered by hydrometallurgy. The Commerce Ministry said the move aims to strengthen domestic recycling and critical-mineral recovery and cut import dependence. It complements the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). The ban does not cover all batteries.

Key facts for the exam

Background

• Administration: DGFT functions under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry; HQ New Delhi. The Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 empowers the Centre to frame export–import policy. The Foreign Trade Policy 2023, in force from 1 April 2023, has no end date.
• Environmental law: The Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 were notified in August 2022 by the Union Environment Ministry under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The international treaty controlling transboundary movement of hazardous wastes is the Basel Convention (1989, Switzerland); India is a party.
• Geography & economy: In February 2023 the Geological Survey of India (GSI) reported 5.9 million tonnes of inferred lithium resources in the Salal–Haimana area of Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir – a first for the country. India depends heavily on imports for critical minerals; recovering them from spent batteries ('urban mining') is part of the circular economy.
• Science: Lithium is the lightest metal (atomic number 3). John Goodenough, Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino won the 2019 Chemistry Nobel for developing the lithium-ion battery. During charging, lithium ions move from the cathode to the (graphite) anode.

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Sources: The Tribune (ANI); ThePrint; Swarajya; Business Insider; DT Next; Nobel Prize. Compiled by Shanmugam IAS Academy.

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