New Delhi: The Ministry of Coal will launch the 16th round auction of commercial coal mines in New Delhi on 17 September 2026. Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey will attend the event as Chief Guest.
The 16th round auction will include both fully explored and partially explored coal blocks. The Ministry said the latest round would retain the liberal rules used for commercial coal mining.
Under the framework, bidders will face no restrictions on the end use of coal. Moreover, the policy allows 100 percent foreign direct investment through the automatic route. Upfront payments will also remain low and can be adjusted against future revenue share.
These terms aim to make the sector easier to enter for smaller firms and first-time bidders. At the same time, established mining companies and technology-focused businesses can participate.
Commercial coal mining began in 2020 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the programme. Since then, the Ministry has completed 15 auction rounds across the sector.
16th round auction builds on six years of mining activity
So far, authorities have auctioned 147 coal mines through the completed rounds. The process has also brought 44 new companies into commercial coal mining.
According to the Ministry, the auctioned mines could generate about Rs 47,500 crore in annual revenue. They are also expected to attract nearly Rs 55,000 crore in capital investment.
In addition, the mines could create around 4.9 lakh employment opportunities across coal-bearing states. The Ministry linked these outcomes to wider efforts to expand domestic coal production and availability.
The commercial coal auction programme has also aimed to lower India’s reliance on imported coal. Meanwhile, the Ministry said the initiative supports the broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat objectives.
The latest 16th round auction is expected to add more coal blocks to production. It is also expected to support fresh investment and employment in coal-producing regions.
The Ministry said it remained focused on maintaining a reliable and affordable energy supply. It linked the auction programme to India’s longer-term energy security requirements.
