101 auctioned mineral blocks operationalised since 2015 auction regime; Odisha leads
On 7 May 2026 the Ministry of Mines said 101 auctioned mineral blocks have been operationalised since the auction regime began in 2015, led by Odisha with 34, while FY 2025–26 saw a record 212 blocks auctioned.
Summary
The Ministry of Mines announced on 7 May 2026 that 101 auctioned mineral blocks have become operational since the introduction of the auction regime in 2015, the result of Centre–State coordination on statutory clearances and approvals. FY 2025–26 recorded the highest-ever annual performance under the regime, with 212 mineral blocks auctioned in a single year. Among states, Odisha leads with 34 operational blocks, followed by Karnataka (18), Gujarat (11), Madhya Pradesh (10), Rajasthan (8) and Goa (6).
Key facts
- Milestone
- 101 auctioned mineral blocks operationalised
- Since
- Auction regime introduced in 2015
- Record
- 212 blocks auctioned in FY 2025–26
- Top states
- Odisha 34, Karnataka 18, Gujarat 11, MP 10, Rajasthan 8, Goa 6
Practice MCQs 3 questions
How many auctioned mineral blocks had been operationalised since the auction regime began, as announced by the Ministry of Mines in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 101
101 auctioned mineral blocks have been operationalised; 212 is the number auctioned in FY 2025–26 alone.
Which state leads in the number of operationalised auctioned mineral blocks, as per the Ministry of Mines in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Odisha
Odisha leads with 34 operationalised blocks, followed by Karnataka (18) and Gujarat (11).
Consider the following statements about India's mineral block auctions: 1. The auction regime for mineral blocks was introduced in 2015. 2. FY 2025–26 recorded the highest-ever number of mineral blocks auctioned in a single financial year, at 212. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Mines: the auction regime began in 2015, and 212 blocks were auctioned in FY 2025–26, a record.