8th tranche of critical mineral auctions: 20 blocks in nine States
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
The Ministry of Mines launched the eighth tranche of critical and strategic mineral block auctions on 15 July 2026, it announced a day earlier. The tranche has 20 blocks in nine States: 13 new and 7 offered a second time. Across seven earlier tranches, 56 of 88 blocks were auctioned, a success rate of over 63%.
- Announced
- 14 Jul 2026, Ministry of Mines (launch 15 July)
- Blocks
- 20 in nine States; 13 new, 7 second attempt
- Minerals
- molybdenum, graphite, glauconite, REE, vanadium, gallium, titanium, tungsten, phosphorite, potash, lithium, cesium, rubidium
- Record so far
- 56 of 88 blocks auctioned in seven tranches
- FY 2025-26
- 212 mineral blocks auctioned, highest ever; 22 critical and strategic
- Rules
- Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2026 amended
The eighth tranche of critical mineral auctions: what happened?
Critical minerals such as lithium, graphite and rare earths go into batteries, electronics, defence equipment and fertilisers. India depends heavily on others for many of them. Auctioning blocks to miners is the first step to producing them at home.
- The minerals are needed for clean energy, advanced manufacturing, fertilisers and defence.
- Recent amendments to the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2026 rationalise upfront payment timelines, ease lease and licence deed execution, and allow timely refunds when auctions are annulled for no fault of the bidder.
Which constitutional entry covers minerals?
- List I, Entry 54 of the Seventh Schedule covers regulation of mines and mineral development to the extent Parliament declares Union control expedient in the public interest; List II, Entry 23 covers mines and mineral development subject to List I.
Why does the eighth tranche of critical mineral auctions matter?
- Energy transition: Lithium, graphite and REE feed batteries and electric motors.
- Strategic: Gallium, tungsten and REE matter for defence and electronics.
What can Prelims ask on the eighth tranche of critical mineral auctions?
- Eighth tranche: 20 blocks, nine States; launched 15 July 2026.
- 56 of 88 critical mineral blocks auctioned in seven tranches (over 63%).
- FY 2025-26: 212 blocks auctioned, a record; 22 critical and strategic.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-07-14): the eighth tranche offers 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks in nine States (13 new, 7 re-offered), incl. molybdenum, graphite, REE, vanadium, gallium, tungsten, lithium, cesium.
- Critical mineral auctions feed energy-transition supply chains.
Quotable data pointThe eighth tranche offers 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks in nine States (13 new, 7 re-offered), incl.
PIB: Mines: 8th tranche critical minerals, 14 Jul 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: critical minerals list.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
In FY 2025-26, how many mineral blocks were auctioned in India, the highest in any year so far?
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB (Mines), 14 Jul 2026.
Questions students ask about this
How many blocks are in the eighth tranche of critical mineral auctions?
20 blocks across nine States: 13 newly identified and 7 offered under a second attempt.
How successful have earlier tranches been?
56 of 88 blocks were auctioned across seven tranches, a success rate of over 63%.
Which minerals are on offer?
Molybdenum, graphite, glauconite, rare earth elements, vanadium, gallium, titanium, tungsten, phosphorite, potash, lithium, cesium and rubidium.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Mines: 8th tranche critical minerals, 14 Jul 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending