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 distributions, demand-supply imbalances, and strategic interventions under the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM). It emphasizes four pillars: global occurrence of magmatic sulfide, laterite, and sediment-hosted copper–cobalt systems, and polymetallic nodules geometallurgical characterization for high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) and alternative flowsheets, integration of seafloor data with onshore exploration, and alignment with NCMM pathways including recycling and overseas acquisitions. Projections indicate demand growth to 170 kt nickel and 20–30 kt cobalt by 2030, underscoring the need for accelerated exploration, processing parks, and circular economy initiatives. Challenges such as long project lead times and geopolitical risks are addressed, with recommendations for policy enhancements to achieve 30–50% self-reliance by 2035.