14th round of commercial coal mine auctions launched with Underground Coal Gasification provisions for the first time
The Ministry of Coal launched the 14th round of commercial coal mine auctions on 29 October 2025, offering 41 mines and including Underground Coal Gasification provisions for the first time.
Summary
The Ministry of Coal launched the 14th round of commercial coal mine auctions in New Delhi on 29 October 2025; Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy joined by video. For the first time, the round includes provisions for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG): of the 41 mines offered, 21 have UCG potential. Twenty of the mines are fully explored and 21 partially explored. The ministry has so far auctioned 133 coal mines across 12 rounds, with a peak rated capacity of about 276 million tonnes per annum.
Key facts
- Launched
- 29 Oct 2025, New Delhi
- Mines offered
- 41 (20 fully, 21 partially explored)
- First
- Underground Coal Gasification provisions; 21 mines with UCG potential
- Track record
- 133 mines auctioned in 12 rounds, ~276 MTPA peak rated capacity
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which provision was introduced for the first time in the 14th round of commercial coal mine auctions launched on 29 October 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)
For the first time, provisions for Underground Coal Gasification were introduced; 21 of the 41 mines have UCG potential.
How many coal mines were offered in the 14th round of commercial coal mine auctions?
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Correct answer: C — 41
A total of 41 coal mines were offered, of which 21 have UCG potential.
Before the 14th round, how many coal mines had the Ministry of Coal auctioned across 12 rounds of commercial auctions?
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Correct answer: D — 133
The ministry has auctioned 133 coal mines across 12 rounds, with a peak rated capacity of about 276 MTPA.