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Centre's new mining law amendment draws opposition from states
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Centre's new mining law amendment draws opposition from states
The Centre's amendment to India's mining law has drawn opposition from states citing encroachment on their authority over mineral resources.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2025
What you need to know
2 min read
The Union government has introduced changes to India's mining law framework aimed at streamlining mineral block auctions and boosting domestic critical-mineral production.
Several state governments have opposed the amendment, arguing it encroaches on their role over mineral resources located within state boundaries, an area where both the Centre and states hold overlapping powers under the Constitution.
The dispute reflects a recurring Centre-State friction over resource federalism.
Sources: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
Key facts
Remember these
- mining law amendment
- Centre-State relations
- mineral resources
- resource federalism
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- mining law amendment, Centre-State relations, mineral resources, resource federalism
Mains
Use as an example in GA answers (GS Paper II - Polity: Centre-State Relations, Federalism).
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
Consider the following statements: I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member. II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that it has identified. III. The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for certain critical minerals. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- I and II only
- II and III only
- I and III only
- I, II and III
Show answer
Answer: C
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Consider the following statements:
- States have expressed unreserved support for the Centre's new mining law amendment.
- Under the Constitution, regulation of mines and mineral development involves overlapping Union and State authority, rather than being an exclusively state subject.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: B — 2 only is correct: mines and mineral development regulation involves overlapping Union and State authority under the Constitution, and several states have in fact opposed the Centre's new mining law amendment — not supported it without reservation, as statement 1 wrongly claims.
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