**Executive Summary**
India’s mineral sector achieved a record milestone of 200 mineral block auctions in the financial year 2025–26, the highest ever recorded in a single year. As of March 19, 2026, this achievement highlights the successful collaboration between Union and State Governments and the maturity of the national auction-based allocation framework. With 70 additional Notices Inviting Tenders (NITs) currently underway, the total number of successful auctions is expected to rise further before the end of the fiscal year.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Auction Statistics and Composition**
* A total of 200 mineral blocks were auctioned, comprising 123 Mining Lease (ML) blocks and 77 Composite Licence (CL) blocks.
* Notices Inviting Tenders (NITs) for an additional 70 blocks (38 ML and 32 CL) are presently active.
* **State Performance and Milestones**
* Gujarat led the country with 32 auctioned blocks, followed by Rajasthan (30) and Tamil Nadu (22).
* Tamil Nadu successfully conducted mineral block auctions for the first time.
* Uttarakhand entered the auction framework by successfully auctioning its first magnesite block.
* **Mineral-Specific Highlights**
* Limestone was the most auctioned mineral with 76 blocks, followed by Iron Ore (40 blocks) and Bauxite (30 blocks).
* The year saw a strategic focus on resource security with the successful auction of 22 critical mineral blocks.
* Major contributors to critical mineral auctions included Rajasthan (5), Chhattisgarh (4), Odisha (4), Karnataka (3), and Maharashtra (2).
**Impact Analysis**
**Union and State Governments**
**Impact**
The record auctions demonstrate the effectiveness of cooperative federalism and administrative efficiency. States like Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand have expanded their mining frameworks, contributing to a more robust national auction ecosystem.
**Action Required**
State governments must maintain proactive policy support, timely block preparation, and data management to continue the momentum. Authorities must conclude the 70 pending NITs currently underway.
**Mining and Industrial Stakeholders**
**Impact**
The balanced mix of ML and CL blocks provides both immediate operational opportunities and long-term exploration potential. Increased access to critical minerals, limestone, and iron ore supports long-term resource security and industrial growth.
**Action Required**
Interested bidders and industrial players should monitor the 70 active NITs for upcoming opportunities and prepare for the operationalization of the newly auctioned blocks.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Mines: The primary Union government body responsible for the administration of the mineral sector and overseeing the auction-based allocation of mineral blocks.
Auction-based mineral allocation framework: The national regulatory system through which the Union and State Governments transparently allocate mineral blocks for mining and exploration.
Mining Lease (ML): A specific category of auctioned mineral blocks intended for direct operational mining activities.
Composite Licence (CL): A regulatory mineral block category that combines exploration-focused opportunities with subsequent mining rights.
Critical mineral blocks: A strategic category of minerals prioritized by the government to ensure long-term resource security and industrial growth.
Ministry of Mines
India Achieves Historic Milestone of 200 Mineral
Block Auctions in FY 2025–26
Posted On: 19 MAR 2026 5:23PM by PIB Delhi
India’s mineral sector has achieved a significant milestone in the financial year 2025–26 with the
successful auction of 200 mineral blocks, the highest ever in a single year. This achievement
reflects the strong cooperative efforts between the Union and State Governments and
highlights the growing maturity of India’s auction-based mineral allocation framework.
Out of the 200 auctioned blocks, 123 are Mining Lease (ML) blocks and 77 are Composite
Licence (CL) blocks, indicating a balanced mix of operational and exploration-focused
opportunities. In addition, Notices Inviting Tenders (NITs) for 70 mineral blocks (38 ML and 32
CL) are currently underway, which is expected to further enhance the total number of
successful auctions during the financial year.
The Ministry of Mines acknowledges the significant role played by States in this achievement.
Gujarat led with 32 blocks, followed by Rajasthan with 30 blocks, and Tamil Nadu with 22
blocks, emerging as the top contributors. Their efforts in timely block preparation, data
management, and procedural efficiency have strengthened the national auction ecosystem.
Notably, Tamil Nadu has successfully conducted mineral block auctions for the first time,
marking an important milestone. Uttarakhand has also entered the mineral auction framework
with the successful auction of its first magnesite block.
The auctions covered a wide range of minerals. Limestone accounted for 76 blocks, making it
the most auctioned mineral, followed by Iron Ore with 40 blocks. Bauxite accounted for 30
blocks, underscoring their importance for key industrial sectors.
A key highlight of the year is the successful auction of 22 critical mineral blocks, reflecting the
increasing focus on minerals of strategic importance for long-term resource security. Rajasthan,
Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, and Maharashtra played a major role in offering these blocks,
contributing 5, 4, 4, 3, and 2 blocks respectively.
The Ministry of Mines expresses its sincere appreciation to all State Governments for their
proactive efforts, policy support, and administrative efficiency that enabled this record
outcome. This milestone reinforces India’s commitment to building a transparent, efficient, and
future-ready mineral allocation system to support sustained economic growth.
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Prajith Kumar MV(Release ID: 2242579) Visitor Counter : 247
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