Mines Ministry launches second tranche of limestone block auctions in Jammu & Kashmir; 12 blocks on offer
On 12 May 2026 the Ministry of Mines launched the second tranche of e-auction of 12 limestone blocks in Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu & Kashmir at Srinagar.
Summary
The Ministry of Mines launched the second tranche of e-auction of limestone blocks in Jammu & Kashmir at Srinagar on 12 May 2026, with Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal making the launch. Twelve limestone blocks in Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch districts are on offer, including five new blocks and others being re-auctioned in a second attempt. The auction is held under the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015, as amended, and the blocks fall under the G3 and G4 exploration stages of the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC). The blocks are expected to interest the cement and infrastructure sectors.
Key facts
- Launched
- 12 May 2026, Srinagar; Tranche II
- Blocks
- 12 limestone blocks
- Districts
- Anantnag, Rajouri, Poonch
- Rules
- Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015
- Exploration stage
- UNFC G3 and G4
Practice MCQs 3 questions
How many limestone blocks were put up for auction in the second tranche launched in Jammu & Kashmir in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 12
A total of 12 limestone blocks across Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch districts were put up under Tranche II.
The limestone blocks in J&K's second auction tranche (May 2026) are spread across which districts?
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Correct answer: A — Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch
The 12 blocks are in Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch districts.
Consider the following statements about the J&K limestone block auction (Tranche II, May 2026): 1. The auction is conducted under the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015. 2. All the blocks are at the G1 (detailed exploration) stage of the UNFC. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The blocks are categorised under the G3 and G4 stages of the UNFC, not G1.