India Steps Up Critical Mineral Strategy, Auctions 56 Blocks to Reduce Import Dependence

New Delhi: India’s push to secure critical minerals for future industries has gained momentum with the successful auction of 56 critical and strategic mineral blocks, the Ministry of Mines announced on Tuesday.

The latest auction rounds have strengthened India’s efforts to build a reliable domestic supply chain for minerals considered essential for clean energy, electric vehicles, electronics, defence and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Under the seventh tranche of auctions conducted by the Central Government, 10 critical and strategic mineral blocks were successfully auctioned, taking the total number of auctioned blocks to 56 out of 88 mineral blocks offered so far. The government said this represents a success rate of more than 63 per cent.

The latest tranche expanded critical mineral exploration into new regions, with blocks auctioned for the first time in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana. The minerals included graphite, rare earth elements (REE), vanadium, titanium, glauconite and rock phosphate, among others.

The auction process was launched on March 23, 2026, through a Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) covering 19 mineral blocks. The auctions were conducted under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015.

Alongside mineral block auctions, the Ministry of Mines also completed the second tranche of Exploration Licence (EL) auctions. With this, the total number of Exploration Licence blocks auctioned by the Central Government has reached 11 since the introduction of the EL framework.

The latest Exploration Licence auctions expanded opportunities to Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha for the first time, allowing systematic exploration of critical and deep-seated mineral resources.

Critical minerals such as rare earth elements, graphite and vanadium are becoming increasingly important as countries compete to secure resources needed for batteries, renewable energy systems, semiconductor manufacturing and defence technologies.

The government said the auction programme reflects growing interest from industry stakeholders and aims to encourage private sector participation, reduce dependence on imports and strengthen India’s mineral security.

The development is also linked to the broader objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission, which seeks to create a long-term pipeline of critical mineral assets and develop a stronger domestic ecosystem for exploration and production.

As global demand for clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing continues to rise, India’s ability to secure critical mineral supplies will remain a key factor in its economic and strategic planning.