New Delhi, August 20, 2025 – The Union Ministry of Coal is set to inaugurate the 13th round of commercial coal mine auctions on Thursday, August 21, 2025, in New Delhi. The event will be presided over by Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy as the Chief Guest, alongside Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey, who will attend as Guest of Honour.
This auction marks a pivotal moment in India’s endeavor to ramp up domestic coal production to meet the nation’s rising energy demands. The government’s commitment to fostering transparency, competitive participation, and ease of doing business in the coal sector continues to be the guiding force behind this commercial framework, which was first initiated in 2020.
Key Highlights of Round 13 Auction
- 34 coal blocks up for bidding, of which:
- 12 are fully explored, and
- 22 are partially explored.
- Additionally, under the second attempt of Round 12, three more mines—two under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act and one under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act—will also be offered.
Strategic Aims and Features
- The auction will continue to offer liberal terms to participants, aligning with the government’s broader objective of boosting competition and investment, particularly from both established miners and new, technology-driven entrants.
- It will cover a range of mine types — both fully explored and partially explored blocks — offering diverse opportunities to industry players.
- The event will also explore and showcase the merits of underground and surface coal gasification technologies.
Follow-Up Agreements
- Concurrently, Coal Mine Development & Production Agreements (CMDPA) will be signed for 11 coal mines that were successfully allocated in previous auction rounds. These agreements formalize the transition of coal blocks to operational phases.
Historical Context & Policy Impact
- Since its launch in 2020 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the commercial coal mine auction framework has been credited with:
- Enhancing transparency in the sector,
- Driving robust competition,
- Expanding domestic coal availability, and
- Reducing dependence on coal imports.
- The initiative is aligned with the government’s overarching vision of a “Viksit Bharat”, aiming for energy independence and self-reliance in critical resources.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Date | August 21, 2025 |
| Location | New Delhi |
| Chief Guest | Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy |
| Guest of Honour | Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey |
| Blocks on Offer | 34 (12 fully explored; 22 partially explored) |
| Additional Offer | 3 mines in second attempt of Round 12 |
| CMDPA Signed For | 11 previously allocated mines |
| Auction Framework | Launched 2020; focuses on transparency, investment |
| Technological Focus | Underground & surface coal gasification |
| Policy Goal | Boost coal production, reduce imports, “Viksit Bharat” |
The upcoming 13th round of commercial coal mine auctions exemplifies India’s sustained push toward a more self-reliant energy landscape. By leveraging a transparent, competitive, and investment-friendly auction framework, the government continues to create opportunities for both established and new industrial players while propelling the nation closer to its energy independence goals.