Environment & Ecology·Environmental Laws
Non-renewable Energy — Environmental Laws
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Version 1Updated 9 Mar 2026
| Entry | Year | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015 | 2015 | Amended the MMDR Act, 1957. Introduced auctioning of mineral concessions, established District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) for welfare of mining-affected areas, and the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET). Also increased penalties for illegal mining. | Significantly enhanced transparency and revenue generation in the mining sector, while addressing local community development and promoting exploration. Shifted from discretionary allocation to competitive bidding. |
| Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 | 2015 | Enacted to facilitate the allocation of coal mines whose allocations were cancelled by the Supreme Court in 2014. Provided for transparent auction and allocation of these blocks. | Ensured continuity in coal production and brought transparency to coal block allocation, crucial for the power and steel sectors. |
| Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) | 2016 | Replaced the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP). Introduced a uniform licensing system for all hydrocarbons (conventional and unconventional), a revenue-sharing model, and marketing/pricing freedom for crude oil and natural gas. | Aimed to simplify the licensing regime, attract greater investment in exploration and production, and boost domestic hydrocarbon output by providing more flexibility and market incentives to operators. |
| Atomic Energy (Amendment) Act, 2015 | 2015 | Amended the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, to enable the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to form joint ventures with other public sector undertakings (PSUs) for setting up nuclear power projects. | Facilitated faster expansion of nuclear power capacity by allowing greater investment and collaboration, thereby accelerating India's clean energy transition goals. |