The Government of India is launching the seventh tranche of auctions for critical and strategic mineral blocks today, March 23, 2026. This initiative is aimed at strengthening domestic supply chains and reducing dependence on imports for minerals vital to clean energy, advanced technology, and defense sectors.
A total of 19 mineral blocks across several states are being offered in this round. These include resources such as lithium, graphite, rare earth elements, tungsten, vanadium, and titanium, which are essential for electric vehicles, battery storage, renewable energy technologies, aerospace, and defense manufacturing.
Union Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, along with Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey, will formally inaugurate the auction process. The auctions will be conducted through an online, two-stage ascending forward auction to ensure transparency and efficiency.
This marks the continuation of India’s push to secure critical minerals, following six previous tranches in which 46 blocks were successfully auctioned between 2023 and 2025. The government has emphasized that more tranches will follow as exploration expands to meet rising demand.
The move comes at a time of growing global competition for critical minerals, with countries worldwide racing to secure supply chains for clean energy and strategic industries. India’s auction is expected to attract significant investor interest, though challenges remain in scaling domestic mining and addressing environmental concerns.
By launching the seventh tranche today, India aims to reinforce its economic security, accelerate its clean energy transition, and strengthen its strategic capabilities in defense and advanced manufacturing.
