New Delhi, Aug. 13 -- In a major boost to India's critical mineral sector, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, is cleared by the Rajya Sabha. Earlier the bill was cleared by Lok Sabha on Monday. It will become law after receiving the President's assent.

Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 [MMDR Amendment Bill], proposed a series of changes to the existing mining framework, which also includes allowing leaseholders to add multiple minerals to an existing mining lease, expanding the scope of mineral exploration funding and removing the cap on the sale of minerals from captive mines.

Furthermore, the Bill proposes amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Re...