Senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Shri Keshav Chandra (1995 batch, AGMUT cadre) formally assumed charge as the Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, on July 27, 2026, in New Delhi. He succeeds Piyush Goyal, who transitioned to Secretary General of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Immediately upon taking office, Secretary Chandra convened a high-level review meeting with senior ministry officials to assess key national initiatives. The review emphasized critical and strategic mineral exploration, auction and operationalization of mineral blocks, private sector participation, and strengthening India’s domestic mineral supply chains to meet economic and green energy targets.
Senior IAS officer Shri Keshav Chandra assumed charge as the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Mines on July 27, 2026. Following the formal takeover, Secretary Chandra conducted a comprehensive review meeting with senior bureaucrats and division heads. The meeting focused on accelerating mineral exploration, streamlining the auction process for critical and strategic mineral blocks, ensuring faster operationalization of awarded blocks, and promoting sustainable mining practices to bolster domestic industrial growth.
The charge assumption and subsequent high-level administrative review took place on July 27, 2026, at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. The transition comes during a pivotal fiscal phase as India rapidly expands its domestic critical mineral ecosystem and clean energy supply chains.
The administrative leadership of the Ministry of Mines functions through the Secretary, who acts as the administrative head and chief advisor to the Union Cabinet Minister. The Secretary directs policy implementation by coordinating with state governments, central public sector undertakings (like NALCO, HCL, MECL), and private mining leaseholders. Implementation of key initiatives follows a structured framework:
1. Geological mapping and reconnaissance by GSI and accredited private exploration agencies.
2. Classification of mineral blocks into composite licenses or mining leases.
3. Competitive e-auction of mineral blocks through transparent central/state portals.
4. Monitoring statutory clearances (environmental, forest, land acquisition) to transition blocks from auction to operational production.
This administrative transition is directly relevant to UPSC GS Paper 2 (Governance & Bureaucracy) and GS Paper 3 (Industrial Policy, Infrastructure, and Mineral Resources):
The Ministry of Mines traces its roots to the post-independence industrial planning era under the Ministry of Steel and Mines. Key historical milestones include:
India imports nearly 100% of its critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and heavy rare earth elements, primarily from countries like China, Australia, and Chile. By comparison, China controls over 60% of global critical mineral mining and over 80% of global mineral processing. Initiatives by the Ministry of Mines aim to align India with international frameworks like the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP).
Core Concept: Critical Minerals Governance & Mining Laws in India
Q1. Who among the following assumed charge as the Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, in July 2026? [Easy]
A) Piyush Goyal
B) Keshav Chandra
C) T. V. Somanathan
D) Vivek Joshi
Answer: B
Explanation: Senior IAS officer Shri Keshav Chandra (1995: AGMUT) assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Mines, on July 27, 2026.
Q2. Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India is the distribution of legislative powers regarding mines and minerals specified? [Easy]
A) Fifth Schedule
B) Seventh Schedule
C) Ninth Schedule
D) Eleventh Schedule
Answer: B
Explanation: Mines and mineral development powers are divided between the Centre and States under Entry 54 of Union List and Entry 23 of State List in the Seventh Schedule.
Q3. With reference to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, consider the following statements: [Moderate]
A) State Governments exclusively hold the power to auction critical mineral blocks listed in Schedule I.
B) The Central Government was empowered to exclusively auction concessions for 24 critical and strategic minerals.
C) Private companies are strictly prohibited from exploring deep-seated minerals under the new provisions.
D) Lithium was added to the list of prohibited atomic minerals.
Answer: B
Explanation: The MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 empowered the Central Government to exclusively auction mineral concessions for 24 critical and strategic minerals, while auction proceeds go to state governments.
Q4. Which of the following minerals was removed from the list of Atomic Minerals under the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 to permit private mining? [Moderate]
A) Uranium
B) Thorium
C) Lithium
D) Plutonium
Answer: C
Explanation: The 2023 amendment removed six minerals, including lithium, beryllium, niobium, titanium, tantalum, and zirconium, from the list of atomic minerals to open them to private exploration.
Q5. What is the primary role of Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), functioning under the Ministry of Mines? [Moderate]
A) Managing urban solid waste recycling across metro cities.
B) Identifying and acquiring strategic mineral assets in foreign countries.
C) Regulating coal prices in the domestic market.
D) Conducting satellite surveillance of forest lands.
Answer: B
Explanation: KABIL is a joint venture company mandated to identify, acquire, explore, and process strategic and critical minerals abroad to ensure supply security for India.
Q6. With reference to the legislative framework governing minerals in India, which of the following statements is correct regarding revenue generated from critical mineral auctions? [Tricky]
A) Total auction revenue is retained entirely by the Central Government in the Consolidated Fund of India.
B) Revenue from auctions conducted by the Central Government accrues to the concerned State Government where the mineral block is located.
C) Auction revenue is equally divided between the NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Environment.
D) Revenue is directly transferred to foreign mining technology suppliers.
Answer: B
Explanation: Even though the Central Government conducts the e-auction for critical and strategic minerals specified in Part D of Schedule I, the auction revenue accrues fully to the respective State Government.
Q7. Which new mineral concession was introduced by the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 specifically to encourage private sector exploration of deep-seated minerals? [Tricky]
A) Composite Prospecting Permit
B) Exploration Licence
C) Mining Lease Clearance Certificate
D) Reconnaissance Exclusive Privilege Grant
Answer: B
Explanation: The MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 introduced the 'Exploration Licence' (EL) granted through competitive auction for 29 deep-seated and critical minerals listed in the Seventh Schedule of the Act.
Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the Geological Survey of India (GSI): [Tricky]
1. GSI is an attached office under the Ministry of Mines.
2. It was established in 1851 primarily to locate coal reserves for the railways.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation: Both statements are accurate: GSI was set up in 1851 mainly to find coal reserves for steam trains and today serves as an attached office of the Ministry of Mines.
PYQ 1:
With reference to the management of minerals in India, consider the following statements:
A) Non-coal major minerals are regulated entirely under state laws without central overarching legislation.
B) The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 is the principal statutory act governing the mining sector in India.
C) State Governments have no power to grant mining leases for minor minerals.
D) Central Public Sector Undertakings possess absolute authority over state mineral lands without state concurrence.
Answer: B
Explanation: The MMDR Act, 1957 is the primary legislation framing regulation of mines and development of minerals in India across all states.
PYQ 2:
Consider the following statements regarding 'Critical Minerals' in India:
1. Parliament amended the MMDR Act in 2023 to list 24 critical and strategic minerals under Part D of Schedule I.
2. The central government retains the authority to auction these critical mineral blocks, but the resulting revenue flows to the concerned states.
3. Exploration Licences for deep-seated minerals can only be issued to public sector enterprises.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because Exploration Licences were specifically introduced to attract private exploration companies and junior mining entities.
PYQ 3:
Assertion (A): India is actively pursuing overseas acquisition of lithium and cobalt blocks through Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL).
Reason (R): India lacks significant processed domestic supplies of critical minerals required for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy infrastructure.
A) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B) Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).
C) (A) is correct but (R) is incorrect.
D) (A) is incorrect but (R) is correct.
Answer: A
Explanation: Both statements are true and R correctly explains A. Due to high import dependency and minimal domestic processing capacities for battery minerals, India formed KABIL to secure foreign reserves in countries like Argentina and Australia.
Question 1 (150 words): Highlight the key structural reforms introduced by the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, and explain their significance for India's clean energy transition.
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 introduced landmark structural reforms aimed at unlocking India’s domestic mineral potential. Crucially, the Act created a dedicated category of 24 critical and strategic minerals under Part D of Schedule I and empowered the Central Government to exclusively auction their concessions. To encourage private capital and advanced technology, six minerals—including lithium, titanium, and beryllium—were removed from the restrictive atomic minerals list. Additionally, the legislation introduced a novel 'Exploration Licence' (EL) mechanism for 29 deep-seated minerals.
These reforms are paramount for India's clean energy transition. By removing legal barriers and enabling private sector participation in exploration, India seeks to mitigate its near 100% import dependence on battery raw materials. Rapid domestic extraction directly supports the National Critical Mineral Mission, target setting of 500 GW non-fossil power capacity by 2030, and the domestic manufacturing of Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC).
Question 2 (250 words): Critical minerals are emerging as the new geopolitical battleground. Examine India's vulnerability in critical mineral supply chains and discuss the multi-pronged strategy adopted by the Ministry of Mines to ensure resource security.
Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements form the foundational architecture of 21st-century technologies, including electric vehicles, defense systems, and renewable energy. Globally, supply chains are highly concentrated, with single nations like China controlling over 60% of extraction and 80% of refining capacity. India currently faces severe strategic vulnerability, relying on imports for almost 100% of key green minerals. This exposes Indian industries to geopolitical risks, price volatility, and supply disruptions.
To achieve long-term resource security, the Ministry of Mines has adopted a multi-pronged policy strategy encompassing domestic legislative reform, state-funded missions, and international diplomacy.
First, statutory frameworks were overhauled through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023, allowing central e-auctions of critical mineral blocks and delisting technology-critical elements from atomic mineral constraints. Second, the Union Cabinet launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with a 16,300 crore rupee outlay spanning 2024–25 to 2030–31 to drive exploration, domestic processing technology, and recycling ecosystems. Third, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has intensified deep-seated exploration, undertaking hundreds of dedicated critical mineral projects.
Externally, India is securing foreign mineral assets through Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), evidenced by agreements in Argentina’s 'Lithium Triangle' and partnership drives in Australia. Concurrently, joining global alliances like the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) hedges against supply chain coercion. Moving forward, streamlining environmental clearances and building domestic refining facilities will be vital to transform raw exploration gains into true economic sovereignty.