Indian Government Funds IIT Roorkee for Domestic Sodium-Ion Battery Development, Extends Li-Ion BESS Import Exemptions

Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India India

Overview

India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy sanctioned an IIT Roorkee project in December 2025 to develop cost-effective sodium-ion battery technology, aligning with India’s global third-rank in renewable energy capacity. This initiative aims to reduce lithium dependence. Concurrently, the government extended customs duty exemptions for capital goods used in lithium-ion BESS manufacturing until March 2028, further supporting domestic battery production, underscoring a strategic push for energy independence.

In Depth

Key Findings

The Indian government, through its Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), sanctioned a project in December 2025 to the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) for the development of sodium-ion battery technology. This initiative is geared towards creating a cost-effective alternative to lithium-based systems, a strategic move for a nation that ranked third globally in installed renewable energy capacity as of December 2025.

Technical & Policy Details

• Sodium-Ion Battery Development: The project at IIT Roorkee focuses on advancing sodium-ion battery technology, which uses abundant and low-cost sodium. This development is crucial for India’s long-term energy security, aiming to mitigate reliance on imported lithium and strengthen the domestic battery supply chain.
• Renewable Energy Integration: India’s rapid expansion of solar and wind energy generation necessitates robust and affordable energy storage solutions. Domestically developed sodium-ion batteries are expected to play a key role in grid balancing, peak-load management, and enhancing the overall stability of the renewable-dominated electricity grid.
• Policy Support for Li-Ion: To ensure immediate energy storage needs are met while indigenous technologies mature, the government has extended customs duty exemptions for capital goods used in lithium-ion cell manufacturing for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) until March 2028. This two-pronged approach supports both existing and emerging battery technologies.

Background & Industry Context

India’s ambitious renewable energy targets and burgeoning electricity demand highlight the urgent need for advanced energy storage. However, the country’s limited domestic lithium reserves make it vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions and price volatility. Investing in sodium-ion technology is a strategic imperative to achieve greater energy independence and reduce the economic burden of battery imports, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Outlook

The government’s support for IIT Roorkee’s sodium-ion battery project is poised to establish India as a significant player in this emerging battery technology. Successful commercialization could not only fulfill domestic energy storage requirements but also position India as an exporter of advanced battery solutions, further diversifying the global battery landscape and fostering greater competition in the sector. This long-term vision aims to create a sustainable and self-reliant energy ecosystem.

Get our weekly technology intelligence — free

Receive an infographic that lets you judge at a glance whether each field’s analysis report is worth reading.

Subscribe Free — Weekly Tech Intelligence

By subscribing, you’ll receive Troy-Technical’s weekly technology intelligence newsletter.

• Your email and selected fields are used only to deliver the newsletter.
• We never share your information with third parties.
• You can unsubscribe anytime via the link in each email.

See our Privacy Policy for details.

Agree & Continue ▶

Takes about a minute · Unsubscribe anytime