Critical mineral auctions reach 56 blocks; first Centre-run critical mineral blocks auctioned in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana
The Ministry of Mines announced on 23 June 2026 that 10 critical and strategic mineral blocks were auctioned in the Seventh Tranche, taking the total to 56 out of 88 blocks.
Summary
The Ministry of Mines announced on 23 June 2026 that 10 critical and strategic mineral blocks were successfully auctioned under the Seventh Tranche conducted by the Central Government, taking the total to 56 out of 88 unique blocks taken up for auction, a success rate of over 63%. The Seventh Tranche saw critical mineral blocks auctioned by the Central Government for the first time in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana, covering minerals such as graphite, rare earth elements, vanadium, titanium, glauconite and rock phosphate. The ministry also completed the Second Tranche of Exploration Licence auctions, which extended the framework to Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha for the first time and took cumulative Exploration Licence blocks to 11.
Key facts
- Seventh Tranche
- 10 critical and strategic mineral blocks auctioned
- Total auctioned
- 56 of 88 blocks (over 63%)
- First-time States (critical minerals)
- Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Telangana
- Minerals
- Graphite, REE, vanadium, titanium, glauconite, rock phosphate
- NIT
- 23 March 2026, 19 blocks offered
- Legal basis
- MMDR Act, 1957 and Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015
- Exploration Licence
- 2nd tranche; first time in Arunachal Pradesh, UP, Odisha; 11 blocks cumulative
Practice MCQs 4 questions
As announced by the Ministry of Mines on 23 June 2026, how many critical and strategic mineral blocks have been successfully auctioned by the Central Government in total?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 56
With 10 blocks in the Seventh Tranche, the total reached 56 out of 88 unique blocks taken up for auction.
In the Seventh Tranche of critical mineral auctions (announced 23 June 2026), in which group of States did the Central Government auction critical mineral blocks for the first time?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana
The Seventh Tranche saw critical mineral blocks auctioned by the Centre for the first time in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana. Arunachal Pradesh, UP and Odisha were firsts for Exploration Licence blocks.
The Seventh Tranche of critical mineral auctions (NIT of 23 March 2026) was conducted under which legal framework?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015
The Ministry of Mines stated that the auction was conducted under the provisions of the MMDR Act, 1957 and the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015, as amended.
Consider the following statements about the mineral auctions announced on 23 June 2026: 1. The Second Tranche of Exploration Licence auctions extended the framework to Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha for the first time. 2. The NIT for the Seventh Tranche offered 10 mineral blocks, all of which were auctioned. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the NIT of 23 March 2026 offered 19 blocks, of which 10 were successfully auctioned.