India’s push to secure critical minerals essential for clean energy, electric mobility and advanced manufacturing has gained significant momentum, with the Ministry of Mines successfully auctioning 56 critical and strategic mineral blocks and 11 Exploration Licence (EL) blocks under various auction tranches.
The latest milestone comes with the successful completion of the Seventh Tranche of Critical and Strategic Mineral Block Auctions, in which 10 mineral blocks were awarded. With this, the total number of critical and strategic mineral blocks successfully auctioned by the Centre has risen to 56 out of 88 unique blocks offered so far, reflecting a success rate of more than 63 percent.
The Ministry said the development marks a major step towards strengthening domestic mineral supply chains and advancing India’s broader critical mineral strategy aimed at reducing import dependence and supporting key industrial sectors.
New States Join Critical Mineral Exploration
The seventh auction tranche has expanded the country’s critical mineral footprint, with mineral blocks in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana being auctioned by the Central Government for the first time.
The auction covered a range of strategically important minerals, including graphite, Rare Earth Elements (REE), vanadium, titanium, glauconite, rock phosphate and associated critical minerals.
These minerals play a crucial role in sectors such as renewable energy, battery manufacturing, electronics, defence production and advanced industrial technologies.
The Seventh Tranche was launched through a Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) issued on March 23, 2026, offering 19 mineral blocks for auction under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015.
Exploration Licence Framework Expands
Alongside critical mineral block auctions, the Ministry also successfully completed the Second Tranche of Exploration Licence (EL) Auctions, further strengthening India’s mineral exploration ecosystem.
The latest round expanded the EL framework to Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha for the first time, opening new opportunities for systematic exploration of deep-seated and critical minerals.
With the completion of the second tranche, the total number of Exploration Licence blocks successfully auctioned by the Central Government has reached 11 since the introduction of the EL auction regime.
The Exploration Licence mechanism is designed to encourage both private and public sector participation in mineral exploration by providing a structured framework for identifying and assessing critical mineral resources.
Boost for Strategic Sectors
The Ministry said the successful auctions are expected to accelerate exploration and development of minerals that are vital for several emerging and strategic sectors, including electric vehicles and battery manufacturing; renewable energy systems; clean energy technologies; electronics and semiconductor manufacturing; defence and aerospace applications; and advanced industrial production.
The Ministry said that strengthening domestic access to these minerals will be crucial for India’s long-term industrial growth and energy transition goals.
Industry Confidence Growing
According to the Ministry, the strong response to the auction programme reflects growing industry confidence in India’s mining sector and demonstrates the impact of recent policy reforms aimed at promoting transparency, attracting investments and encouraging systematic mineral exploration.
The Ministry noted that the auctions are aligned with the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission, which seeks to build a resilient domestic supply chain for minerals considered essential for economic security and technological advancement.
The Ministry said continued reforms and increased private-sector participation would help create a robust pipeline of critical and strategic mineral assets while reducing the country’s reliance on imports.
Government Reaffirms Commitment
Reiterating its commitment to developing a transparent and investor-friendly mining ecosystem, the Ministry thanked participating bidders, state governments, technical agencies and other stakeholders for contributing to the success of the auction programme.
The Ministry said that it remains committed to expanding exploration opportunities and building a transparent, efficient and investor-friendly mineral ecosystem in the country.
