The Ministry of Coal will launch the 15th round of commercial coal mine auctions on April 17, accompanied by a stakeholder consultation in Mumbai. The consultation, under the theme Atmanirbhar Bharat: Coal for Energy Security, will gather officials, industry representatives and service providers. The Coal Secretary, Vikram Dev Dutt, is scheduled to attend as the chief guest, according to an official statement. The auction round will offer a mix of fully and partially explored coal blocks to attract established mining companies, new entrants and technology driven firms. The ministry stated the exercise forms part of a broader push to raise domestic coal availability and reduce import dependence. Officials indicated the process is intended to promote ease of doing business in the sector and widen participation. Commercial coal mining was introduced in 2020 as a reform to open the sector to private players and shift to an auction based regime. The framework has prioritised transparency, competition and a level playing field for bidders, and has been credited with supporting higher production. The ministry linked the regime to a more stable supply of fuel to core industries such as power, steel and cement. The 15th round is expected to encourage investment, support employment generation and strengthen the broader energy ecosystem while aligning with the government vision of self reliance in energy. Officials argued that expanding domestic coal output remains critical to meeting rising demand and ensuring reliable supply. The ministry said the auction mechanism has helped enhance efficiency and investor confidence across the sector. With the new round, the government aims to build on previous auctions and reinforce long term growth and resilience in the coal sector while ensuring affordable energy for industry and households. The consultation in Mumbai will provide a forum for stakeholder feedback ahead of the auctions, and officials will review operational and regulatory issues. The ministry anticipates that the combined auction and consultation process will strengthen the sector's contribution to national energy security.