Record 212 mineral blocks auctioned in FY 2025-26, including 22 critical and strategic blocks
At a review on 25 May 2026, the Ministry of Mines said a record 212 mineral blocks were auctioned in FY 2025-26, the most in a single year since auctions began in 2015, including 22 critical and strategic mineral blocks.
Summary
Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal chaired the 9th monthly review meeting with Category-A mineral-bearing States on mineral block auctions and operationalisation. Since the auction regime was introduced in 2015, 108 blocks were auctioned between FY 2015-16 and FY 2020-21, and 364 between FY 2021-22 and FY 2024-25 (about 90 a year). In FY 2025-26 alone a record 212 mineral blocks were auctioned, the highest in a single financial year, including 22 critical and strategic mineral blocks. The meeting also reviewed operationalisation of auctioned blocks.
Key facts
- Meeting
- 9th monthly review, 25 May 2026, chaired by Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal
- Auction regime since
- 2015
- FY 2015-16 to 2020-21
- 108 blocks
- FY 2021-22 to 2024-25
- 364 blocks (~90/year)
- FY 2025-26
- Record 212 blocks
- Critical & strategic
- 22 blocks in FY 2025-26
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How many mineral blocks were auctioned in FY 2025-26, a record for a single financial year, as per the Ministry of Mines (May 2026)?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 212
A record 212 mineral blocks were auctioned in FY 2025-26; 108 were auctioned in FY 2015-16 to 2020-21 and 364 in FY 2021-22 to 2024-25.
Of the mineral blocks auctioned in FY 2025-26, how many were critical and strategic mineral blocks?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 22
The record FY 2025-26 tally includes the auction of 22 critical and strategic mineral blocks.