Senior IAS officer Keshav Chandra has assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Mines, and reviewed key initiatives including mineral exploration, critical minerals, and mineral block auctions. He stressed coordinated implementation of flagship programmes to strengthen India’s mining sector, enhance mineral security, and support long-term economic growth.
Key Highlights
- Keshav Chandra assumes charge as Secretary, Ministry of Mines.
- Reviews mineral exploration and mineral block auction progress.
- Focuses on critical and strategic minerals for India’s future needs.
- Calls for coordinated implementation of key mining sector reforms.
Senior IAS officer Keshav Chandra on Monday assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Mines, marking a significant leadership transition as India accelerates reforms to strengthen its mining and mineral sector. A 1995-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, Chandra takes over at a time when the government is prioritising critical mineral security, resource exploration, and sustainable mineral development.
Reviews Key Mining and Mineral Sector Initiatives
Soon after taking charge, Chandra chaired a review meeting with senior officials to assess the progress of the Ministry’s major initiatives. The discussions covered mineral exploration, auction and operationalisation of mineral blocks, critical and strategic minerals, and other flagship programmes aimed at improving mineral availability and boosting domestic resource development.
Officials presented updates on ongoing projects designed to strengthen India’s mineral ecosystem, enhance transparency in mining operations, and support industrial growth through efficient utilisation of natural resources.
Focus on Effective Implementation and Coordination
During the meeting, Keshav Chandra emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts, timely execution, and effective implementation of the Ministry’s initiatives. He highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that mining reforms translate into faster project execution and increased mineral production.
The Ministry of Mines stated that these efforts are expected to support India’s long-term economic growth while improving the availability of critical minerals required for sectors such as clean energy, electronics, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. With growing global competition for strategic minerals, the government continues to accelerate reforms that strengthen domestic supply chains and promote responsible mining practices.
