Who inaugurated India's first lithium-ion battery plant in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, in September 2022?

Question

Who inaugurated India's first lithium-ion battery plant in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, in September 2022?

1. A. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
2. B. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology (Correct answer)
3. C. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance
4. D. Amit Shah, Union Home Minister

Correct Answer

Option B — Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and IT.

Key Points

• India's first lithium-ion cell manufacturing plant at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, was inaugurated in September 2022 by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, then Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology.
• The facility marked a step toward reducing dependence on imported cells for electric vehicles and electronics.

Additional Information

• India imports the great majority of its lithium-ion cells, and domestic manufacturing is supported through the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage.
• Lithium reserves of about 5.9 million tonnes were reported in the Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir in 2023 — inferred resources rather than proven reserves.
• Lithium is the lightest metal and has the lowest density of any solid element; the world's largest producers are Australia, Chile and China, and the "Lithium Triangle" spans Chile, Argentina and Bolivia.

प्रश्न (हिन्दी में)

सितंबर 2022 में आंध्र प्रदेश के तिरुपति में भारत के पहले लिथियम-आयन बैटरी संयंत्र का उद्घाटन किसने किया?

1. A. प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी
2. B. राजीव चंद्रशेखर, इलेक्ट्रॉनिक्स और सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी राज्य मंत्री
3. C. निर्मला सीतारमण, वित्त मंत्री
4. D. अमित शाह, केंद्रीय गृह मंत्री