India's Critical Mineral Mission Gains Momentum: 56 Critical Mineral Blocks and 11 Exploration Licence Blocks Auctioned

📌 Summary:

• The Ministry of Mines auctioned 10 critical and strategic mineral blocks under the Seventh Tranche, taking the total auctioned to 56 (out of 88 unique blocks taken up; a success rate of over 63%)
• For the first time, critical mineral blocks were auctioned in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana; minerals included Graphite, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Vanadium, Titanium, Glauconite and Rock Phosphate
• The Seventh Tranche (NIT issued 23 March 2026, 19 blocks offered) was conducted under the MMDR Act, 1957 and the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015
• The Second Tranche of Exploration Licence (EL) auctions expanded to Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha; cumulative EL blocks auctioned reached 11

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Economy — critical mineral security, domestic supply chains and the energy transition.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Auctions held under the MMDR Act, 1957 and Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015
• Critical/strategic minerals auctioned include Graphite, REE, Vanadium, Titanium, Rock Phosphate
• Exploration Licence (EL) regime: cumulative 11 blocks auctioned; 56 critical mineral blocks auctioned in total

🔑 Key Term: Critical minerals — minerals essential to economic and national security that face high supply-chain risk (e.g., lithium, rare earths, cobalt).