Ministry of Coal Drives Energy Security Push; Hosts Key Stakeholders’ Consultation and Launches 15th Round of Commercial Coal mine Auction

• 15th round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions launched alongside a stakeholder consultation themed "Atmanirbhar Bharat: Coal for Energy Security" by the Ministry of Coal on 17 April 2026 in Mumbai.
• Marks continuation of the 2020 reform that opened the coal sector to commercial mining without end-use restrictions — a flagship of self-reliance in energy.
• Highly examinable for UPSC because it ties together GS-III (energy security, mineral sector reforms), the MMDR Act 1957 and CMSP Act 2015, and the Atmanirbhar Bharat umbrella.