Ministry of Coal Launches 15th Commercial Coal Mine Auction

21 Apr 2026 CW Team

The 15th round offers 11 coal blocks comprising seven fully explored and four partially explored mines, with three offered under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 and eight under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The package includes one coking block and the remaining 10 non-coking blocks catering to steel and power, while six mines are being reoffered from the second attempt of the 13th round.

These blocks are located in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana and are expected to attract significant investment, enhance domestic availability and generate employment. Discussions addressed regional development, community welfare and supply chain strengthening.

To date the ministry has auctioned 135 coal mines across 13 rounds, delivering a Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) of about 325 million tonnes per annum (mn t per annum) and signalling strong momentum in domestic production. The commercial mining framework introduced in 2020 was credited with encouraging private participation and improved availability for industries.

Senior officials emphasised a whole-of-government approach to simplify procedures, coordinate with states and foster an enabling ecosystem for scale and sustainability. Commitments included scientific mine closure, rehabilitation, community welfare and support for coal gasification through policy measures and viability gap funding.

The consultation concluded with a call for active participation in upcoming auctions to build a resilient, inclusive and self-reliant coal sector. The ministry framed the 15th round as a step to unlock investment, enhance domestic production and strengthen national energy security.

The Ministry of Coal convened a stakeholder consultation on Atmanirbhar Bharat: Coal for Energy Security and launched the 15th round of commercial coal mine auctions, assembling policymakers, industry, academia and experts. The event aimed to advance energy security, self-reliance and discussion on reforms, technology, coal gasification and sustainability. The 15th round offers 11 coal blocks comprising seven fully explored and four partially explored mines, with three offered under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 and eight under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The package includes one coking block and the remaining 10 non-coking blocks catering to steel and power, while six mines are being reoffered from the second attempt of the 13th round. These blocks are located in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana and are expected to attract significant investment, enhance domestic availability and generate employment. Discussions addressed regional development, community welfare and supply chain strengthening. To date the ministry has auctioned 135 coal mines across 13 rounds, delivering a Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) of about 325 million tonnes per annum (mn t per annum) and signalling strong momentum in domestic production. The commercial mining framework introduced in 2020 was credited with encouraging private participation and improved availability for industries. Senior officials emphasised a whole-of-government approach to simplify procedures, coordinate with states and foster an enabling ecosystem for scale and sustainability. Commitments included scientific mine closure, rehabilitation, community welfare and support for coal gasification through policy measures and viability gap funding. The consultation concluded with a call for active participation in upcoming auctions to build a resilient, inclusive and self-reliant coal sector. The ministry framed the 15th round as a step to unlock investment, enhance domestic production and strengthen national energy security.

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