Updated on 12 Jun 2026
Mineral Conservation and Development (Amendment) Rules, 2026 makes amendments to Schedule-I of MCDR 2017 through addition of new grades for hematite iron ore, revision in reporting formats, etc.
Mineral Conservation and Development (Amendment) Rules, 2026, issued by the Ministry of Mines in exercise of its powers under Section 18 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, further amends the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017. The main objective of the amendment is to update the Schedule-I and reporting forms, whereby grade specifications in the case of hematite iron ore are extended by adding new grades, including "Below 35% Fe" and "35% to Below 45% Fe". The notification also replaces all references to Rule 62 of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988 with Rule 66 of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 in certain statutory forms, namely Forms F1, F2, F3, G1, G2, G3, L and M. This amendment has come into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, i.e., 5th June 2026.