- Why in news
- On 29 January 2026 the Government notified coking coal as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957, by amending the Act's First Schedule.
- What it is
- The MMDR Act, 1957 regulates mining and mineral development in India. Its First Schedule lists minerals in parts, and Part D lists Critical and Strategic Minerals, which get a faster and easier regulatory path. Coking coal is the coal grade used to make coke for blast-furnace steelmaking.
- Legal route
- The Centre used Section 11C of the MMDR Act to amend the First Schedule. Coking Coal is now in Part D.
- Part A wording
- In Part A, 'Coal' now reads 'Coal, including Coking Coal'.
- Resources and location
- India has an estimated 37.37 billion tonnes of coking coal resources, mostly in Jharkhand.
- Regulatory benefits
- Critical mineral mining is exempt from public consultation and can use degraded forest land for compensatory afforestation.
- Revenue to States
- Under Section 11D(3), royalty, auction premium and other payments continue to go to the State Governments even when the Centre runs auctions.
Don’t confuse with Coking coal vs thermal coal: Coking coal makes coke for steel blast furnaces. Thermal coal is burnt for power.
Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.
Why it matters
- Reduces import dependence and foreign exchange outgo for steel, supporting self-reliance.
- Faster approvals and private participation can speed exploration, including deep-seated deposits.
- Supports supply-chain resilience and the National Steel Policy.
Problems
- Much Indian coking coal is of high ash and low quality, needing washing and beneficiation.
- Exempting public consultation may weaken local community and environmental safeguards.
- Deep-seated deposits need costly technology and long gestation.
Way forward
- Invest in beneficiation and washery capacity and mining technology.
- Keep environmental and community safeguards in place despite the exemptions.
- Share auction revenue transparently with States and speed up block auctions.
Put in your answer
Federal revenue point: Section 11D(3) keeps royalty and auction premium with States even in Centre-run auctions.
- 2012Prelims Q84Why India imports coal despite large reserves; steel needs imported coking coal
- 2015Prelims Q58Which imports are required by India's steel production industry: saltpetre, rock phosphate, coking coal
- 2025Prelims Q6Statements on Minerals Security Partnership, critical minerals, and 2023 MMDR amendment auctions
- 2026Prelims Q95Statements on rare earth elements, critical minerals, and India's National Critical Mineral Mission
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.Critical and Strategic Minerals are listed in Part D of the First Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
- 2.Mining of critical minerals is exempt from public consultation requirements under the notification's regulatory benefits.
- 3.When the Central Government conducts auctions of critical minerals, royalty and auction premium accrue to the Central Government.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Coking coal has been notified as a Critical and Strategic Mineral by amending the First Schedule of the MMDR Act, 1957.
True. The First Schedule was amended; Coking Coal is in Part D.
2.Most of India's estimated coking coal resources are located in Jharkhand.
True. Jharkhand holds the largest share of the 37.37 billion tonnes.
3.Around 95% of the steel sector's coking coal requirement is currently met from domestic production.
False. About 95% is met through imports.
4.Mining of critical minerals is exempt from public consultation requirements.
True. The release states this exemption applies to critical mineral mining.
5.When the Centre conducts auctions of critical minerals, royalty and auction premium accrue to the Central Government.
False. Under Section 11D(3) they continue to accrue to the State Governments.
6.The decision was based on recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Implementation of Viksit Bharat Goals and inputs from NITI Aayog.
True. HLC-VB recommendations and NITI Aayog inputs were the basis.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
10 marks · 150 words
The Government has notified coking coal as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957, by amending its First Schedule, while about 95% of the steel sector's coking coal need is met by imports. Examine the provisions and benefits of this classification and discuss the challenges in reducing India's import dependence on coking coal.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.