New Delhi, Nov. 28 -- In a major move to accelerate coal exploration and strengthen India's push toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Government of India has expanded the pool of Accredited Prospecting Agencies.

On 26 November 2025, under the second proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, private entities accredited by the Quality Council of India National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (QCI-NABET) were officially notified as authorized agencies for prospecting operations.

"This adds another 18 agencies for carrying out prospecting operations for the exploration of Coal and Lignite, enabling the coal blocks allottees to have more flexibility and choice towards ...