Rajasthan tops nation with 140 mineral block auctions, PMO praises state
Synopsis
Rajasthan has outpaced every other state in India's mineral block auction race, clinching the top spot with 140 auctioned blocks and 8 pre-embedded clearance auctions — a feat that drew direct appreciation from the PMO's Principal Secretary. With 14 blocks set for operations by November-end, the state is now converting paperwork wins into actual mining output.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan has auctioned 140 major mineral blocks , the highest number in the country.
Pramod Kumar Mishra , Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, praised Rajasthan's performance at a Union Ministry of Mines review meeting on 9 November 2026 .
The state exceeded its operationalisation target, completing clearances for 14 blocks against a target of 11 .
Rajasthan leads all 10 major mining states in pre-embedded clearance block auctions, having auctioned 8 such blocks .
Mining operations in 14 blocks are expected to begin by end of November 2026 .
Auctions are conducted via the Unified Mining Portal ; land bank data is being uploaded to the PARIVESH portal .
Rajasthan has emerged as the top-performing state in India's mineral block auction programme, successfully auctioning 140 major mineral blocks — the highest in the country — drawing formal appreciation from the Centre during a high-level review meeting on Monday, 9 November 2026. Pramod Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, expressed satisfaction with the state's progress at the meeting convened by the Union Ministry of Mines.
Key Developments at the Ministry of Mines Review
The review meeting, conducted via video conferencing, brought together Chief Secretaries of 10 major mineral-producing states and senior officials from the Union Ministry of Mines. Discussions centred on the time-bound implementation of mining projects, statutory clearances, and the acceleration of production across allocated mineral blocks.
Rajasthan Chief Secretary V. Srinivas presented the state's achievements, highlighting the auction figures, operationalisation targets, and digital governance initiatives that have driven the state to the top of the national rankings.
Operationalisation Exceeds Targets
Rajasthan's performance extends beyond auctions alone. Against a target of commencing operations in 11 auctioned blocks, the state has completed the necessary clearances and lease deed formalities for 14 blocks — exceeding its mandate. Mining operations in these blocks are expected to commence by the end of November 2026, converting auction approvals into active mineral production.
Notably, Rajasthan has also led the country among its 10 major mining states in the auction of blocks with pre-embedded clearances, having successfully auctioned 8 such blocks. This mechanism secures essential environmental and regulatory approvals before the auction itself, significantly cutting procedural delays for successful bidders.
Digital Governance Driving Transparency
Chief Secretary V. Srinivas highlighted the state's use of the Unified Mining Portal for conducting block auctions, alongside an ongoing effort to digitise land banks. Relevant data is being uploaded to the PARIVESH portal within stipulated timelines, improving administrative transparency and expediting decision-making on mining projects.
The integration of information across digital platforms has, according to officials, helped reduce bottlenecks and improved investor confidence in Rajasthan's mining governance framework.
Economic and Industrial Impact
Rajasthan's mineral-rich geography makes the scale of this achievement particularly significant. The large-scale auction programme is expected to accelerate investment in the state's mining sector and generate new employment opportunities, according to officials. The state government reiterated its commitment to balancing environmental conservation with industrial development — a point Chief Secretary Srinivas specifically underlined during the meeting.
This comes amid a broader national push by the Centre to unlock India's mineral wealth more efficiently, with e-auctions and digital platforms being positioned as the backbone of a more transparent and faster clearance ecosystem. With operations in 14 blocks set to begin by month-end, Rajasthan is now positioned to translate auction success into tangible production output.
Point of View
Where approvals precede the auction rather than follow it, is the structural fix that most states have resisted. The real metric to watch, however, is not how many blocks were auctioned but how many actually reach production — and whether the November deadline for 14 blocks holds. India's mining sector has a long history of paper milestones that stall at the environmental and land-acquisition stage; Rajasthan's credibility will be measured in output tonnes, not auction counts.
NationPress
10 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many mineral blocks has Rajasthan auctioned?
Rajasthan has successfully auctioned 140 major mineral blocks , securing the top position nationally. This was highlighted at a Union Ministry of Mines review meeting on 9 November 2026, where the state received appreciation from PMO Principal Secretary Pramod Kumar Mishra.
What is the pre-embedded clearance mechanism in mineral auctions?
Pre-embedded clearances are approvals — environmental and regulatory — secured before a block is put up for auction, rather than after. This reduces procedural delays for the winning bidder, enabling faster commencement of mining operations. Rajasthan has auctioned 8 such blocks, the highest among India's 10 major mining states.
When will mining operations begin in Rajasthan's auctioned blocks?
Mining operations in 14 blocks are expected to commence by the end of November 2026. The state has already completed the necessary clearances and lease deed formalities, exceeding its operationalisation target of 11 blocks.
What digital platforms is Rajasthan using for mineral block management?
Rajasthan conducts block auctions through the Unified Mining Portal and is digitising its land banks, with data being uploaded to the PARIVESH portal within stipulated timelines. This integration has improved administrative transparency and accelerated mining project approvals.
Why did the Union Ministry of Mines convene a review meeting on 9 November 2026?
The Union Ministry of Mines convened the meeting to review progress on mineral block e-auctions, assess efforts to expedite mining commencement, and evaluate production and resource utilisation across the country. Chief Secretaries of 10 major mineral-producing states participated via video conferencing.
