56 critical and strategic mineral blocks auctioned so far
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
The Mines Ministry said on 23 June 2026 that recent auctions took critical and strategic mineral blocks successfully auctioned by the Centre to 56 out of 88 unique blocks (over 63%). The Seventh Tranche auctioned 10 blocks, a first for Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana. Exploration Licence blocks auctioned reached 11, newly covering Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.
- Release
- 23 Jun 2026, Ministry of Mines
- Critical/strategic blocks auctioned
- 56 of 88 unique blocks (over 63%)
- Seventh Tranche
- 10 blocks; NIT 23 Mar 2026; 19 blocks offered
- Minerals in tranche
- Graphite, REE, Vanadium, Titanium, Glauconite, Rock Phosphate and associated minerals
- First-time States (blocks)
- Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Telangana
- Exploration Licence
- 11 blocks cumulative; 2nd tranche newly covers Arunachal Pradesh, UP, Odisha
Critical and strategic mineral auctions: what happened?
Batteries, electronics and defence need minerals India still imports. Auctioning blocks and exploration licences under the National Critical Mineral Mission is how the Centre tries to build a domestic pipeline.
- Auctions under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015, as amended.
- Exploration Licence framework lets private and public entities explore critical and deep-seated minerals systematically.
- Stated aims: clean energy, electric mobility, renewables, advanced manufacturing, electronics and defence; cut import dependence.
What is the National Critical Mineral Mission?
- Union Cabinet approved NCMM on 29 January 2025.
- Expenditure ₹16,300 crore; expected investment ₹18,000 crore by PSUs and others; budgetary support ₹2,600 crore.
- Seven years: 2024-25 to 2030-31 (Parliament reply, July 2025).
How do Centre and States share mineral powers?
- List I Entry 54: Union may regulate mines and mineral development to the extent Parliament declares it expedient in the public interest.
- List II Entry 23: States regulate mines and mineral development subject to List I.
- List II Entry 50: taxes on mineral rights, subject to Parliamentary limits on mineral development.
Which law governs these auctions?
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
- Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015, as amended.
- Constitution: List I Entry 54; List II Entries 23 and 50.
What do the auction numbers show?
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Critical/strategic blocks auctioned | 56 |
| Unique blocks taken up | 88 |
| Success rate | over 63% |
| Seventh Tranche blocks auctioned | 10 (of 19 offered) |
| Exploration Licence blocks auctioned | 11 |
Why does critical and strategic mineral auctions matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Economy | Domestic supply chains for clean energy and electronics. |
| Federal | First Central auctions in more States; EL into UP, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh. |
| Security | Less import dependence for strategic minerals. |
What are the challenges in critical and strategic mineral auctions?
- Success rate over 63% still leaves 32 of 88 unique blocks unsold.
- Exploration must turn into mines and processing before import bills fall.
- Deep-seated and critical minerals need patient capital and clear clearances.
What should be done next on critical and strategic mineral auctions?
- Expand auctions and EL coverage State by State.
- Link auctioned blocks to processing and recycling under NCMM.
- Keep the auction process transparent for bidders and States.
What can Prelims ask on critical and strategic mineral auctions?
- 56 critical/strategic mineral blocks auctioned of 88 (over 63%).
- Seventh Tranche: 10 blocks; first Central auctions in Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Telangana.
- EL blocks auctioned by Centre: 11; 2nd tranche into Arunachal Pradesh, UP, Odisha.
- NCMM Cabinet: 29 Jan 2025; ₹16,300 crore expenditure; 2024-25 to 2030-31.
- MMDR Act, 1957; Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015.
How to write about critical and strategic mineral auctions in Mains
Practice question (10 marks, 150 words): How do critical mineral auctions and the Exploration Licence regime under the National Critical Mineral Mission address India’s import dependence? What constitutional entries frame Centre–State roles in minerals?
- Open with NCMM and why critical minerals matter for energy and defence.
- Cite 56/88 auctions, Seventh Tranche minerals/States, and 11 EL blocks.
- Explain MMDR auction route and EL for deep-seated minerals.
- Bring in List I 54 / List II 23 and 50.
- Close with processing, recycling and the unsold-block gap.
What should UPPCS aspirants note?
- Second Exploration Licence tranche expanded to Uttar Pradesh for the first time by the Central Government.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-06-23): recent tranches took the number of critical and strategic mineral blocks auctioned to 56, plus 11 exploration licence blocks.
- Batteries, electronics and defence all depend on secure mineral supplies.
Quotable data pointRecent tranches took the number of critical and strategic mineral blocks auctioned to 56, plus 11 exploration licence blocks.
PIB: Mines: critical mineral auctions, 23 Jun 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: critical minerals list, auction powers.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
As of June 2026, critical and strategic mineral blocks successfully auctioned by the Central Government numbered
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB (Mines), 23 Jun 2026: 56 of 88.
Exploration Licence auctions by the Centre reached 11 blocks after expansion into which of the following for the first time?
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (Mines), 23 Jun 2026.
Questions students ask about this
How many critical and strategic mineral blocks has the Centre auctioned?
56 out of 88 unique blocks taken up, a success rate of over 63%.
What was new in the Seventh Tranche?
10 blocks auctioned, and the first Central critical mineral block auctions in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana.
How many Exploration Licence blocks are auctioned so far?
11 by the Central Government since the EL auction regime began.
When was the National Critical Mineral Mission approved?
Union Cabinet approval on 29 January 2025, for 2024-25 to 2030-31.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Mines: critical mineral auctions, 23 Jun 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending