THEBUSINESSBYES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026

The Ministry of Coal will launch the 16th round of commercial coal mine auctions on Thursday, offering a fresh set of fully explored and partially explored coal blocks as the government seeks to further expand domestic production and attract investment into the sector.

Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey will be the chief guest at the launch event to be held in New Delhi on September 17, 2026.

Commercial coal mining was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020, and over the past six years, 147 coal mines have been successfully auctioned across 15 completed rounds, bringing 44 new companies into the sector.

The auctioned mines are estimated to generate annual revenue of around Rs 47,500 crore, attract capital investment of nearly Rs 55,000 crore and create about 4.9 lakh employment opportunities across coal-bearing states.

The 16th round will continue to operate under the liberalised framework introduced for commercial coal mining. The auction regime has no end-use restrictions, permits 100 per cent foreign direct investment through the automatic route and provides for low upfront payments that can be adjusted against future revenue share.

The provisions are aimed at facilitating wider participation, including from smaller and first-time bidders, while offering an avenue for established mining companies and technology-driven enterprises to enter or expand their presence in the coal sector.

The commercial coal mine auction programme has contributed to higher domestic coal production and availability while supporting efforts to reduce dependence on coal imports. The initiative is also aligned with the broader objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, with the government seeking to strengthen domestic resources and build greater resilience in the energy sector.

The 16th round is expected to add further coal blocks to the production pipeline, creating additional employment opportunities and attracting fresh investment into coal-bearing regions.

The Ministry of Coal has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a reliable and affordable energy supply for the country, in line with India's long-term energy security objectives.