India Auctions Record 212 Mineral Blocks in FY26, Highest Since 2015 Regime

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The Ministry of Mines said the milestone reflects a sharp acceleration in mining reforms, with 22 critical and strategic mineral blocks also auctioned during the year.

NEW DELHI (India CSR): India has auctioned a record 212 mineral blocks in FY 2025-26, marking the highest number of auctions conducted in a single financial year since the auction regime began in 2015, the Ministry of Mines said.

The achievement was highlighted during the 9th monthly review meeting chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, with senior ministry officials and Category-A mineral-bearing states.

The Ministry said the record performance reflects the Government’s continued push to accelerate mineral sector reforms, increase domestic mineral production and strengthen India’s long-term mineral security.

Sharp Rise in Auction Momentum

The auction regime was introduced in 2015 to bring greater transparency and competitiveness in the allocation of mineral resources.

Between FY 2015-16 and FY 2020-21, a total of 108 mineral blocks were successfully auctioned. The pace increased substantially in the following years, with 364 mineral blocks auctioned between FY 2021-22 and FY 2024-25, at an average of nearly 90 blocks per year.

The figure of 212 blocks in FY 2025-26 alone marks a significant jump and sets a new benchmark for mineral block auctions in India.

Critical Minerals in Focus

The record auction number includes 22 critical and strategic mineral blocks, underlining the Government’s focus on securing minerals essential for India’s economic growth, clean energy transition and advanced manufacturing.

Critical minerals are important for sectors such as renewable energy, electric mobility, defence, electronics and emerging technologies.

From Auction to Production

The Ministry also reviewed the operationalisation of auctioned blocks. In FY 2025-26, 36 mineral blocks have been operationalised so far, including 28 greenfield and 8 brownfield blocks.

This compares with 58 blocks operationalised during the entire period from FY 2015-16 to FY 2024-25.

Centre-State Coordination Needed

Shri Goyal emphasised the need for close coordination between the Central Government and State Governments to speed up statutory clearances, support early commencement of mining operations and ensure timely production from auctioned blocks.

He also said critical mineral development is important for achieving the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and strengthening India’s mineral security.

Key Fact

Key FactDetails

Record auction in FY26	India auctioned 212 mineral blocks in FY 2025-26.
Historic milestone	This is the highest number of mineral block auctions in a single financial year since the auction regime began in 2015.
Auction regime began	The mineral block auction regime was introduced in 2015.
Blocks auctioned from FY16 to FY21	108 mineral blocks were auctioned between FY 2015-16 and FY 2020-21.
Blocks auctioned from FY22 to FY25	364 mineral blocks were auctioned between FY 2021-22 and FY 2024-25.
Average auction pace after FY21	Around 90 blocks per year were auctioned between FY 2021-22 and FY 2024-25.
Critical and strategic minerals	FY 2025-26 auctions included 22 critical and strategic mineral blocks.
Operationalised blocks in FY26	36 mineral blocks were operationalised in FY 2025-26.
Greenfield blocks operationalised	Out of 36 operationalised blocks in FY26, 28 were greenfield blocks.
Brownfield blocks operationalised	Out of 36 operationalised blocks in FY26, 8 were brownfield blocks.
Earlier operationalisation	58 blocks were operationalised during the entire period from FY 2015-16 to FY 2024-25.
Government focus	Faster clearances, early mining operations, domestic mineral production, critical mineral security and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.