India's Lok Sabha passes Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, 2026

The Lok Sabha has passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, amid protests from Opposition members. The legislation aims to accelerate the exploration and development of critical and strategic minerals, such as lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, gold, and silver.

Key provisions allow mining lease holders to apply for the inclusion of additional minerals in existing leases. For critical and strategic minerals, no additional fees are required, while other minerals will incur royalties. The Bill also expands the scope of the National Mineral Exploration Trust, renaming it the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust to include mine development financing.

However, the Bill has sparked controversy regarding state revenues. It restricts state governments from levying additional taxes, cesses, or other levies on mineral rights or mineral-bearing lands. This has raised concerns in mineral-rich states like Odisha, where leaders argue the move may overturn previous Supreme Court rulings that restored states' authority to impose such taxes, potentially impacting local economies.