News: The Ministry of Mines released the State Mining Readiness Index and State rankings, fulfilling a Union Budget 2025–26 announcement to promote State-level mining reforms.
About State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI)
- The State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) is a benchmarking tool that evaluates States’ readiness and efficiency in facilitating non-coal mineral mining reforms.
- Released by: It is published by the Ministry of Mines.
- Performance indicators: The index comprises indicators that reflect State performance in the mining sector, including:
- Auction performance
- Early mine operationalization
- Thrust on exploration.
- Sustainable mining practices pertaining to non-coal minerals.
- Aim: The SMRI aims to benchmark State performance and encourage healthy competition to accelerate mining reforms and sustainable resource management.
- Key feature
- It serves as a tool for benchmarking readiness and efficiency at the State level.
- It encourages healthy competition among States to improve mining governance and outcomes.
- States were grouped into three categories on the basis of their mineral endowment.
State Rankings
| Category | Top three States |
| Category A | Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat |
| Category B | Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Assam |
| Category C | Punjab, Uttarakhand, Tripura |
