- Why in news
- The Ministry of Mines will hold the National DMF Summit 2026 on 23–24 March 2026 at SCOPE Convention Centre, New Delhi, on using District Mineral Funds in Aspirational District and Block areas.
- What it is
- The District Mineral Foundation is a non-profit trust set up in each mining district to work for the benefit of people and areas affected by mining. It was brought in by the 2015 amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Mining leaseholders pay it a share of royalty, and the money is spent mainly on priority areas such as drinking water, health and education.
- Event and dates
- The National DMF Summit 2026 runs for two days, 23–24 March 2026, in New Delhi, organised by the Ministry of Mines.
- Theme
- The Summit's theme is effective use of district mineral funds in ADP/ABP areas.
- Districts covered
- A concept note went to DMF States, 306 DMF districts in ADP/ABP areas and NITI Aayog in January 2026.
- Focus areas
- The Summit looks at governance, transparency, convergence, impact assessment and performance of fund use.
- Legal basis
- DMFs were created through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, as non-profit bodies in districts affected by mining.
- Funding
- Leaseholders contribute to the DMF a percentage of royalty, set by the Act at 30% for mining leases granted after 12 January 2015 and 10% for earlier leases.
Don’t confuse with DMF vs PMKKKY: The DMF is the trust in each district that holds the money. Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) is the scheme that guides how DMF funds are spent.
Don’t confuse with ADP vs ABP: The Aspirational Districts Programme covers backward districts. The Aspirational Blocks Programme covers backward blocks within districts.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- DMF money gives mining-affected communities a direct share of mineral wealth for local development.
- Linking DMF to aspirational districts can add funds to health, nutrition, water and education.
Problems
- Funds are often unspent or spent on projects that do not benefit affected communities.
- Weak transparency, limited impact assessment and poor convergence with other schemes.
Way forward
- Plan DMF spending with gram sabha and community involvement, and publish it openly.
- Converge DMF projects with national programmes and assess outcomes regularly.
Put in your answer
Consultation process: The Ministry consulted States and districts before the Summit and prepared a Comprehensive Final Note as the main reference for deliberations.
Sectors funded: DMF-funded work spans health, nutrition, water supply, education, skill development, livelihoods, renewable energy and infrastructure.
- 2016Mains GS4 · Q10Compensation and livelihood problems of people displaced by mining projects
- 2025Mains GS3 · Q17Why mining is an environmental hazard and what remedial measures are needed
- 2024Mains GS2 · Q6Role of public charitable trusts in making development inclusive
- 2016Prelims Q62Purposes of District Mineral Foundations: which statements are correct
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting funding body for mining-affected areas; today's news is only a summit, so no question likely.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.