India’s critical mineral block auctions have reached a major milestone, with the Centre successfully auctioning 56 critical and strategic mineral blocks and 11 Exploration Licence (EL) blocks.
The achievement highlights the growing importance of critical mineral block auctions in supporting electric vehicle manufacturing, clean energy projects and advanced industries while reducing the country’s dependence on imports.
The Ministry of Mines recently completed the Seventh Tranche of Critical and Strategic Mineral Block Auctions, awarding 10 mineral blocks. With this, 56 out of 88 unique blocks offered by the Centre have been successfully auctioned so far, translating into a success rate of more than 63 .
The government said the auctions are a significant step towards strengthening the country’s domestic mineral supply chain and advancing its broader strategy to secure minerals that are essential for economic growth and technological development.
The seventh tranche marked the first timethat critical mineral blocks in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana were auctioned by the Central Government.
The auction included several strategically important minerals such as:
These minerals are crucial for industries linked to electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, renewable energy systems, electronics production, defence equipment and advanced industrial technologies.
The Seventh Tranche was launched through a Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) issued on March 23, 2026. A total of 19 mineral blocks were offered under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015.
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Alongside the mineral block auctions, the Ministry also completed the Second Tranche of Exploration Licence auctions, expanding the country’s mineral exploration efforts.
For the first time, the EL framework was extended to Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. The move is expected to open new opportunities for identifying and assessing deep-seated and critical mineral resources across different regions.
With the latest round completed, the total number of Exploration Licence blocks successfully auctioned by the Centre has reached 11 since the launch of the EL auction regime.
The Exploration Licence mechanism aims to attract both public and private sector participation by creating a structured process for mineral exploration and resource assessment.
The Ministry said the successful auctions will support the exploration and development of minerals needed for several fast-growing sectors.
According to the Ministry, securing access to these minerals is essential for India’s long-term industrial expansion and energy transition plans.
The government also noted that strong participation in the auction programme reflects increasing investor confidence in the mining sector. Officials attributed the response to recent policy reforms focused on transparency, investment promotion and systematic mineral exploration.
The auctions are aligned with the goals of the National Critical Mineral Mission, which aims to build a resilient supply chain for minerals considered vital for economic security and technological advancement.
Reaffirming its commitment to a transparent and investor-friendly mining ecosystem, the Ministry thanked bidders, state governments, technical agencies and other stakeholders involved in the process. It added that continued reforms and greater private-sector participation will help create a stronger pipeline of critical mineral assets while reducing India’s reliance on imported resources.
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