Mining Readiness Index: Ministry of Mines Releases State Rankings for 2025
The Ministry of Mines unveiled the State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) in 2025, a significant development that ranks Indian states based on their capacity to foster mining reforms and sustainable practices. It is a key step to improve the mining sector and was announced in the Union Budget 2025–26. The State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) is a performance benchmarking framework that evaluates and ranks Indian States based on their efficiency, reform readiness, and sustainability in the mining sector, particularly for non-coal minerals.
States are assessed on four main criteria
- Auction Performance: Effectiveness and transparency in mineral block auctions.
- Early Mine Operationalisation: Speed of converting auctioned blocks into functional mines.
- Exploration Thrust: Investment and initiatives for geological exploration and discovery of new resources.
- Sustainable Mining Practices: Adoption of environmentally sound and socially responsible mining models.
States are classified into three categories according to their mineral wealth. Category A includes mineral-rich states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, which lead the rankings. Category B consists of states with moderate mineral resources, with Goa, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam taking the lead here. Finally, Category C encompasses states with limited mineral endowment, where Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Tripura shine as top performers. This classification allows for a fair comparison among states with similar characteristics.
State Rankings 2025 List:
| Category | Top 3 States (2025) | |
| A (Mineral-Rich) | 1. Madhya Pradesh 2. Rajasthan 3. Gujarat | |
| B (Moderate Resources) | 1. Goa 2. Uttar Pradesh 3. Assam | |
| C (Low Endowment) | 1. Punjab 2. Uttarakhand 3. Tripura |