The Coal Ministry on Friday launched the 15th round of commercial coal Mine auctions in which a total of 11 blocks are being offered, including 7 fully explored and 4 partially explored mines.
Of these, 3 mines are being offered under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 (CMSP) and 8 under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR).
It includes 1 coking coal block and remaining 10 are non-coking coal blocks, catering to the requirements of key sectors such as steel and power. Additionally, 6 coal mines are also being offered of 2nd attempt of the 13th round, the Ministry said.
The mines being auctioned are spread across coal/ lignite bearing states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana, and are expected to attract significant investment, enhance domestic coal availability, and generate employment opportunities, it added.
So far, the Ministry has successfully auctioned 135 coal mines across 13 rounds of commercial coal mine auctions, with a Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) of around 325 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), reflecting the strong momentum in unlocking India’s coal potential.
Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt highlighted that the introduction of the commercial coal mining framework in 2020 marked a transformative shift in the sector, paving the way for enhanced competition, private sector participation, and improved coal availability for domestic industries.
Referring to the evolving geopolitical landscape, he underscored the importance of enhancing domestic coal production to safeguard India’s energy security.
Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary at Coal Ministry, stressed on accelerated coal production with a conscious approach, balancing growth with environmental stewardship and community well-being underscoring that sustainability must move in tandem with scale.
Highlighting the transformational impact of coal sector reforms, she emphasised transparency, policy stability, and ease of doing business as key drivers attracting investment, fostering competition, and unlocking new economic avenues.
The Ministry also organised a stakeholder consultation, which witnessed insightful deliberations across key sessions covering critical dimensions of coal sector transformation.
Discussions focused on technology adoption, innovation and coal gasification to drive efficiency and value addition; inclusive growth through rehabilitation, resettlement, land repurposing, worker welfare, CSR and just transition with communities and all stakeholders at the centre and sustainability measures promoting greener mining practices and environmental stewardship.
Published on April 17, 2026