SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure | SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production
Institutions: Ministry of Mines | State Governments
The Ministry of Mines has launched the State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) and published state rankings, fulfilling a commitment announced in the Union Budget 2025–26. The index is designed to encourage mining sector reforms at the state level, particularly for non-coal minerals.
The SMRI assesses states across indicators such as auction performance, speed of mine operationalization, exploration efforts, and sustainable mining practices. States are grouped by mineral endowment into three categories (A, B, C), to allow meaningful comparisons:
In Category A, the top three states are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat.
In Category B, top ranks went to Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Assam.
In Category C, the leading states are Punjab, Uttarakhand, Tripura.
The SMRI is intended to be a performance benchmark and incentive tool, nudging states to reform regulatory, operational, and environmental practices in mining. It may also influence investment decisions, state policies, and inter-state benchmarking.
This index creates a structured incentive for states to compete on efficiency, sustainability, and governance in mining. It aligns with national goals of mineral sector reform, better resource utilisation, and environmentally responsible extraction. States lagging in readiness may need to fast-track reforms in auction design, regulatory clearances, exploration capacities, and ecological safeguards to improve their ranking and attract investment.
Follow the full release here: State Mining Readiness Index and Rankings