Ministry of Coal to Launch 16th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions
The Ministry of Coal will launch the 16th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions on 17th September 2026 in New Delhi, with Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Government of India, serving as the Chief Guest. This initiative continues the commercial coal mining program launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020.
Over the past six years, across fifteen completed auction rounds, the program has successfully auctioned 147 coal mines, bringing 44 new companies into the coal sector. These auctioned mines are projected to generate annual revenue of approximately ₹47,500 crore, attract capital investment of nearly ₹55,000 crore, and create around 4.9 lakh employment opportunities across coal-bearing states.
The 16th round will offer a fresh set of fully explored and partially explored coal blocks under the same liberal framework that includes no end-use restrictions, 100% FDI permitted through the automatic route, and low upfront payments adjustable against future revenue share. These provisions are designed to maintain accessibility for smaller and first-time bidders while remaining competitive for established mining companies and technology-driven enterprises.
The commercial coal mine auction program has contributed to increased domestic coal production and availability, reduced dependence on imports, and supports the broader objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The Ministry of Coal remains committed to ensuring a reliable and affordable energy supply for the nation in line with India's long-term energy security goals.