On October 29, 2023, the Ministry of Coal launched the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions in New Delhi. Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, attended via video conferencing. Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal; Ms. Rupinder Brar and Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretaries; senior officials and industry stakeholders were also present.
This round introduces provisions for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) for the first time. A total of 41 coal mines are offered, 21 of which have UCG potential. 20 of the mines are fully explored, and 21 are partially explored. The round includes 5 mines under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 (CMSP) and 36 under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR).
The Ministry has successfully auctioned 133 coal mines across 12 rounds of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions, with a Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) of approximately 276 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has informed that pilot UCG projects are exempted from environmental clearance.
The Minister highlighted the government's commitment to energy security, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and sustainable industrial growth. Secretary Dutt emphasized the ministry's commitment to reforms, transparency, and digital integration. Ms. Brar highlighted that the 13th Round painted a rosy picture of stakeholders and investor confidence. Mr. Jha stated that commercial coal mining remains pivotal to energy security and the AtmaNirbhar Bharat goals.
The press release ID is 2183927, with a visitor counter of 200. The release is available in Hindi.
Key Entities Referenced
14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions: Commercial coal mine auctions initiated by the Ministry of Coal
Ministry of Coal: The Indian government ministry responsible for coal production and policy.
Underground Coal Gasification (UCG): A technology for extracting energy from coal seams that are too deep or too thin to be mined conventionally, being promoted in the auction process.
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR): A law related to the regulation and development of mines and minerals in India.
Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 (CMSP): A law dealing with the allocation of coal mines through auction and allotment.
Ministry of Coal
Ministry of Coal Launches 14th Round of
Commercial Coal Mine Auctions
41 Coal Mines offered under 14th Round of Auction
Provisions for Underground Coal Gasification introduced
for the first time; 21 Mines with UCG Potential up for Grabs
Posted On: 29 OCT 2025 7:25PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Coal today launched the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions today in
New Delhi, marking another milestone in India’s journey toward energy self-sufficiency and
sustainable growth. Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy graced the occasion as
the Chief Guest through video conferencing. Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal; Ms.
Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary; Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary; senior officials of
the Ministry; industry leaders; and key stakeholders from across the coal sector were present at the
occasion.
The Ministry of Coal has successfully auctioned 133 coal mines across 12 rounds of Commercial
Coal Mine Auctions, with a Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) of~276 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
Notably, for the first time, provisions for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) have been introduced
in the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to
technological advancement and sustainable coal utilization.
Under the 14th Round, a total of 41 coal mines have been offered, of which 21 mines possess UCG
potential, opening new avenues for the underground gasification of deep-seated coal reserves. Of
these 41 mines, 20 are fully explored and 21 are partially Eeplored, offering a balanced mix of
opportunities for investors and developers. The round includes 5 mines under the Coal Mines (Special
Provisions) Act, 2015 (CMSP) and 36 under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation)
Act, 1957 (MMDR).Delivering his keynote address, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, stated that
the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions represents a defining moment in India’s journey
towards energy independence, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to energy security,
Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and sustainable industrial growth.
Minister highlighted that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the
coal sector has undergone an unprecedented transformation from reform to perform and from perform
to transform. The Minister noted that the commercial mining reforms introduced by the Government
have unlocked vast new opportunities, leading to enhanced domestic production, reduced import
dependency, and greater employment generation at the regional level.
Shri Reddy further emphasized that commercial coal mining has catalyzed a paradigm shift, making
the sector more competitive, efficient, and investment-friendly. He underscored that one of the most
significant features of this tranche is the focus on Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) an
innovative technology being promoted for the first time in the auction process. Nearly 40% of India’s
coal reserves lie deep underground, beyond the reach of conventional mining methods.
Referring to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), he informed that
pilot UCG projects are exempted from environmental clearance, ensuring faster implementation. He
added that the Government, through a Whole-of-Government Approach, is working in close
coordination to accelerate the pace of coal gasification. The success of this initiative, he emphasized,
will depend on collaboration between the Government, private industry, and academia.
The Minister urged all stakeholders to enthusiastically seize this opportunity and join hands in
shaping the future of coal utilization in India.In his insightful discourse, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, emphasized the
Ministry’s steadfast commitment to accelerating reforms, enhancing transparency, and deepening
digital integration across the coal ecosystem.
Shri Dutt underlined that the Ministry is constantly working on reforms and policy-process changes to
ensure timely, efficient, and sustainable outcomes. With a futuristic mindset, the Ministry aims to take
reforms to a much higher level driving accelerated coal production, especially in underground mining,
while ensuring responsible and optimized use of resources. Highlighting the Government’s mantra of
Reform, Perform, and Transform, Shri Dutt stated that these efforts are not only improving
operational efficiency but also paving the way for private participation and technological innovation
in the sector.
Shri Dutt noted that the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions represents a major step
towards energy security and self-reliance, with several identified blocks suitable for Underground
Coal Gasification (UCG), a technology holding immense potential for the future of clean coal
utilization.In her address, Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal,
highlighted that the recently concluded 13th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions has painted a
rosy and progressive picture of India’s coal sector, marked by enthusiastic stakeholder participation
and robust investor confidence. She observed that this encouraging response reflects the success of
the Government’s reform-driven policies aimed at promoting transparency, competitiveness, and self-
reliance in coal mining.
Ms. Brar further stated that the launch of the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions is not
just a continuation but an evolution integrating cutting-edge technology, digital platforms, and data-
driven processes to streamline operations and strengthen governance. She emphasized that these
transformative efforts are positioning India’s coal sector on a future-ready path, ensuring optimal
resource utilization, minimal environmental footprint, and maximum efficiency.
Ms. Brar also noted that the Ministry’s vision is to create a sustainable, technology-enabled, and
investor-friendly ecosystem that empowers both established players and new entrants to participate in
India’s dynamic energy transition. The ongoing adoption of digital tools, including real-time
dashboards and integrated monitoring systems, is ushering in a new era of accountability, speed, and
transparency, reinforcing India’s march towards energy independence and industrial growth.In his address, Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, highlighted that
commercial coal mining remains pivotal to ensuring energy security and achieving the goals of
AtmaNirbhar Bharat. Shri Jha emphasized the Ministry’s continuous efforts toward transparency,
efficiency, and digital empowerment, noting that initiatives like Koyla Shakti and CLAMP Portals
will foster a data-driven, accountable, and future-ready coal ecosystem.
The launch of the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions reaffirms the Ministry’s vision to
build a robust, transparent, and self-reliant coal ecosystem, fostering industrial growth, regional
development, and sustainable energy security for the nation.
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