NEW DELHI, March 20: India has achieved a record milestone in its mineral sector with the successful auction of 200 mineral blocks during the financial year 2025–26, marking the highest number of auctions conducted in a single year.
According to the Ministry of Mines, the achievement reflects strong coordination between the Centre and states, as well as the growing maturity of the country’s auction-based mineral allocation system.
Of the total blocks auctioned, 123 are Mining Lease (ML) blocks and 77 are Composite Licence (CL) blocks, indicating a balanced approach between operational mining and exploration activities. In addition, tenders for 70 more blocks—38 ML and 32 CL—are currently underway.
Among states, Gujarat led with 32 blocks, followed by Rajasthan with 30 and Tamil Nadu with 22 blocks. Tamil Nadu conducted its first-ever mineral block auctions, while Uttarakhand entered the framework with the successful auction of its first magnesite block.
Limestone accounted for the largest share with 76 blocks, followed by iron ore (40 blocks) and bauxite (30 blocks), highlighting their importance for core industries.
The year also saw the auction of 22 critical mineral blocks, underlining a strategic push towards securing key resources. States including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka and Maharashtra played a significant role in offering these blocks.
The Ministry said the milestone underscores India’s commitment to building a transparent, efficient and future-ready mineral allocation framework to support long-term economic growth.
