The government will launch the 15th round of commercial coal mine auctions on 17 April 2026 in Mumbai, alongside a stakeholder consultation focused on ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat: Coal for Energy Security’, according to a statement by the Ministry of Coal on Thursday, 16 April.
The event will be attended by Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt and will bring together industry stakeholders to discuss the future direction of India’s coal sector.
The ministry said the upcoming auction round will offer a fresh set of fully explored and partially explored coal blocks, aimed at attracting participation from both established players and new entrants, including technology-driven firms.
The auctions will be conducted under liberalised terms designed to promote ease of doing business and encourage wider participation across the sector.
Since the introduction of commercial coal mining in 2020, the government has sought to transform the sector by improving transparency, enhancing competition, and increasing domestic coal availability.
The ministry stated that these reforms have contributed to reducing dependence on coal imports while ensuring a steady supply for domestic industries.
The 15th round of auctions is expected to further support investment inflows, employment generation, and overall sectoral growth, while strengthening India’s energy security framework.
The ministry added that it remains committed to ensuring reliable and affordable energy supply while promoting innovation and resilience in the coal ecosystem.
