Published: 28 January 2026PIBEconomy
Coking Coal Declared Critical and Strategic Mineral Under MMDR Act; Boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat
The Government of India notified coking coal as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, in January 2026. This notification aligns with the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047, and places coking coal alongside other critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel in the strategic minerals list.
Coking coal is an essential raw material for steel manufacturing — around 95% of the coking coal requirement of India's steel sector is met through imports. Its critical mineral status will enable the government to fast-track exploration, ensure priority allocation of blocks, attract dedicated investment, and reduce import dependence.
For Rajasthan, which has coal deposits in Barmer and is part of India's energy mineral landscape, the notification opens pathways for enhanced exploration and investment. The steel sector's growth, which directly depends on coking coal supply, is critical for infrastructure development under PM Gati Shakti and the National Infrastructure Pipeline.
0Mains angle
Q: Analyse the implications of notifying coking coal as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957 for India's steel-sector self-reliance.
Answer (50 words):
In January 2026, India notified coking coal as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957, placing it alongside lithium, cobalt and nickel. With around 95% of the steel sector's coking coal requirement met through imports, the status fast-tracks exploration, priority block allocation, and reduces steel-sector import dependence.
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Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
Linked questionMedium
India imports approximately what percentage of its coking coal requirement, as mentioned in the January 2026 notification declaring it a critical mineral?
Explanation · Correct answer BIndia imports over 85% of its coking coal requirements, primarily from Australia, the USA, and Russia. Coking coal is an essential raw material for steel manufacturing, and the critical mineral tag aims to reduce this import dependence.
Frequently asked questions
When was coking coal declared a Critical and Strategic Mineral in India and under which Act?
Coking coal was notified as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) in January 2026. This designation enables fast-track exploration and development of domestic coking coal reserves.
Why is coking coal important for India's steel industry?
Coking coal is an essential raw material for steel manufacturing through the blast furnace route. around 95% of the coking coal requirement of India's steel sector is met through imports, making domestic supply a critical strategic concern for ensuring energy and industrial security.
Where are India's major coking coal deposits located?
India's key coking coal deposits are located in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh. Declaring it a Critical and Strategic Mineral will enable faster auctioning and exploration of these deposits to reduce import dependence.
What is the significance of declaring coking coal a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act?
The Critical and Strategic Mineral designation under the MMDR Act allows the government to fast-track exploration, grant special exploration licences, and prioritise development of coking coal deposits. It aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by strengthening India's domestic steel production supply chain.
How does coking coal's classification support India's steel sector goals?
By reducing the steel sector's coking-coal import dependence from around 95% through domestic mining, India aims to lower steel production costs, improve supply chain resilience, and support its target of becoming a global steel manufacturing leader. This supports the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat industrial vision.
