| Posted On:MMDR Act 1957: Latest Amendment 2026, Section 9D & Key Provisions| 06-Oct
Description :-
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) is the principal legislation governing the development and regulation of mines and minerals in India. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 introduced important changes, including the recognition of mineral-bearing lands, insertion of Section 9D, and changes to the Central Government's rule-making powers under Section 13.
The Amendment Act received Presidential assent on 17 August 2026 and came into force on 22 August 2026 following the Central Government's commencement notification.
This page explains the MMDR Act 1957, the latest 2026 amendment, Section 9D, mineral-bearing land, mining leases, mineral auctions, royalty, DMF, NMET and the practical implications for mining stakeholders.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Principal Law | Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 |
| Common Name | MMDR Act, 1957 |
| Latest Major Amendment | Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 |
| Presidential Assent | 17 August 2026 |
| Commencement | 22 August 2026 |
| Important New Provision | Section 9D |
| Important New Concept | Mineral-bearing land |
| Key Related Provision | Section 13 |
| Main Subject | Regulation of mines and development of minerals |
| Regulatory Scope | Mining, mineral development, mineral rights and related regulation |
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 is India's principal legal framework for the development and regulation of mines and minerals.
The Act provides the statutory framework for matters including mineral concessions, mining leases, mineral development, mineral conservation, auctions, royalty and other regulatory requirements.
It also establishes the respective roles of the Central Government and State Governments in the administration and regulation of mineral resources.
For mining companies, leaseholders, mineral concessionaires, consultants, legal professionals, investors and government authorities, understanding the MMDR Act is essential for evaluating mining rights, regulatory obligations and mineral-sector compliance.
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 amends the MMDR Act, 1957.
The amendment introduces important changes to the statutory framework, particularly concerning mineral-bearing lands and State-level taxes, cesses and other levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands.
Among the important amendments are:
The Government has described the amendment as intended to provide greater predictability and uniformity in the fiscal framework applicable to the mineral sector.
A key point when discussing the 2026 amendment is the distinction between assent and commencement.
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 received the President's assent on 17 August 2026.
The Act provided that its provisions would come into force on a date appointed by the Central Government by notification.
The Central Government subsequently appointed 22 August 2026 as the date on which the provisions came into force.
Therefore:
17 August 2026 = Presidential assent
22 August 2026 = Commencement / coming into force
This distinction should be maintained in legal summaries, reports and SEO content.
Section 9D is a new provision introduced by the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026.
It deals with the imposition of taxes, cesses and other levies by State Governments on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands.
The provision establishes restrictions on such State-level levies and provides that they may be imposed only subject to the conditions or restrictions prescribed by the Central Government.
Section 9D is therefore one of the most important provisions to understand when assessing the impact of the 2026 amendment on mining taxation and regulatory compliance.
Section 9D is significant because it addresses the relationship between mineral rights, mineral-bearing lands and State-level fiscal levies.
For mining companies and concessionaires, the provision can affect the assessment of regulatory and fiscal exposure associated with mineral operations.
For legal professionals and mining consultants, Section 9D is particularly relevant when analysing State levies, pending demands, compliance questions and disputes concerning mineral rights or mineral-bearing lands.
The 2026 amendment introduces the expression “mineral-bearing land” into the MMDR framework.
The amendment adds the concept to the statutory definitions and links its determination to parameters prescribed under the Act.
This is an important development because the amended MMDR framework now expressly addresses not only mines and minerals but also mineral-bearing lands within the relevant statutory framework.
The scope of Section 2 has been expanded to include mineral-bearing lands.
This strengthens the statutory connection between the regulation of mines, development of minerals and the newly recognised category of mineral-bearing land.
The amendment inserts a definition relating to mineral-bearing land.
The definition is linked to parameters prescribed under Section 5(2)(a).
Section 9D establishes restrictions concerning State taxes, cesses and other levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands.
Section 13 has been amended to provide additional Central Government rule-making power relating to the conditions and restrictions applicable under Section 9D.
The amendment contains provisions dealing with certain levies that had not been paid or collected before commencement.
The treatment of amounts already deposited or recovered is also specifically addressed by the amended provision.
| Section | Subject / Area |
|---|---|
| Section 2 | Declaration as to expediency of Union control |
| Section 3 | Definitions |
| Section 4 | Prospecting or mining operations |
| Section 5 | Restrictions on grant of prospecting licence/mining lease |
| Section 8A | Period of mining lease |
| Section 9 | Royalties in respect of mining leases |
| Section 9A | Dead rent to be paid by lessee |
| Section 9B | District Mineral Foundation |
| Section 9C | National Mineral Exploration Trust |
| Section 9D | Restrictions on certain State taxes, cesses and levies |
| Section 10 | Application for prospecting licence or mining lease |
| Section 10A | Rights of existing holders / specified cases |
| Section 10B | Grant of mining lease in respect of notified minerals |
| Section 13 | Power of Central Government to make rules |
| Section 23C | Power of State Government to make rules for preventing illegal mining |
A mining lease provides the legal framework under which minerals may be extracted in accordance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
The MMDR Act establishes the broader statutory framework for the grant and administration of mineral concessions, while detailed requirements are also governed by applicable rules, regulations, auction conditions and State-level procedures.
Before undertaking mining operations, stakeholders should verify:
Mineral auctions have become an important part of India's mineral concession framework.
Depending on the mineral and applicable statutory provisions, mining leases and composite licences may be granted through prescribed auction procedures.
Businesses participating in mineral auctions should evaluate not only the auction terms but also the wider regulatory framework governing mining operations after successful allocation.
This includes statutory approvals, environmental requirements, production obligations, payments, reporting and compliance.
Royalty is an important financial obligation associated with mining leases.
Section 9 of the MMDR Act deals with royalty in respect of mining leases.
The applicable royalty rate depends on the mineral and the relevant statutory schedule and notifications.
Mining operators should therefore verify the applicable mineral-specific rate and current regulatory notifications rather than relying on outdated royalty information.
The District Mineral Foundation (DMF) framework is associated with mining-affected areas and communities.
DMF contributions form part of the broader financial and social framework surrounding mining operations.
Mining companies should maintain accurate records of applicable DMF obligations and ensure that payments and related compliance are handled according to the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
The National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) supports mineral exploration activities and forms part of India's mineral exploration framework.
Mining-sector businesses should understand applicable NMET obligations along with royalty, DMF and other statutory payments.
The MMDR framework involves both Central and State Government roles.
Broadly, the Central Government establishes the national statutory and regulatory framework, while State Governments have important responsibilities relating to the administration and implementation of mining laws within their respective jurisdictions.
The exact role depends on the provision, mineral, concession type and applicable rules.
The 2026 amendment is particularly significant because Section 9D introduces a specific framework concerning certain State taxes, cesses and other levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands.
The 2026 amendment is particularly relevant for:
Mining businesses should review:
| Area | MMDR Act Framework | 2026 Amendment |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral regulation | Core statutory framework | Framework expanded |
| Mineral-bearing land | Not expressly integrated in the same manner | Expressly recognised |
| Section 9D | Not present | New Section 9D inserted |
| State levies | Governed through existing legal framework | New statutory restrictions/framework |
| Section 13 | Existing rule-making power | Additional rule-making provision |
| Fiscal predictability | Varied regulatory considerations | Greater central framework for specified levies |
| Compliance focus | Mining and mineral regulation | Mining + mineral-bearing land + specified fiscal issues |
Mining businesses can use the following checklist:
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 is India's principal legislation governing the development and regulation of mines and minerals.
The latest major amendment is the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026.
It is an amendment to the MMDR Act, 1957 that introduces important changes relating to mineral-bearing lands, State taxes and levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands, and Central Government rule-making powers.
The Amendment Act received Presidential assent on 17 August 2026.
The provisions came into force on 22 August 2026, following the Central Government's commencement notification.
Section 9D is a new provision introduced by the 2026 amendment concerning restrictions on State taxes, cesses and other levies imposed on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands.
The 2026 amendment introduces the term into the MMDR statutory framework and provides for its definition based on parameters prescribed under the Act.
The major changes include the recognition of mineral-bearing lands, insertion of Section 9D and amendments to Section 13 concerning Central Government rule-making powers.
Mining companies, leaseholders, concessionaires, mineral auction participants, mining consultants, lawyers, government officials, investors and other mining-sector professionals should understand the MMDR framework.
The current amended version and relevant amendment documents should be accessed from reliable government/legal sources and verified against the latest amendments and commencement notifications.
For legal and compliance purposes, users should verify the latest consolidated Act, amendment legislation and commencement notifications before relying on any provision.
Mine Mountain can provide a structured mining-law reference covering the MMDR Act, amendments, rules, notifications and related regulatory developments.
For a complete understanding of India's mining regulatory framework, also refer to:
The MMDR Act is only one part of India's wider mining regulatory framework.
Mining businesses may also need to review mineral concession rules, auction requirements, environmental approvals, State mining rules, royalty, DMF, NMET, mining plans, government notifications and regulatory orders.
Mine Mountain provides a structured digital resource for Indian mining laws, Acts, Rules, Government Orders, notifications, amendments and regulatory updates.
For mining companies, consultants, legal professionals and other stakeholders, the Mine Mountain platform can be used to research applicable mining laws and monitor important regulatory developments.
The MMDR Act 1957 remains the central statutory framework for the development and regulation of mines and minerals in India.
The MMDR Amendment Act 2026 introduces important changes, particularly through the recognition of mineral-bearing land, insertion of Section 9D, and changes to Section 13.
The amendment received Presidential assent on 17 August 2026 and came into force on 22 August 2026.
For mining businesses, the key priority is to understand how the amended framework interacts with mining leases, mineral rights, State-level levies, royalty, DMF, NMET and other applicable regulatory obligations.
Always verify the latest legislation, rules, notifications and government directions before making legal, financial or operational decisions.
