Auction

Govt scraps 9 critical mineral blocks auction citing poor investor response

The government has cancelled the auction of nine critical and strategic mineral blocks, citing poor investor response and lack of qualified bidders. These blocks were put on the block in the seventh round of sale. The development comes as a setback to the government's efforts to ramp up domestic exploration and production of critical minerals that are central to the country's push for energy security, clean-tech manufacturing and cutting down dependence on imports. It also reflects the challenge of drawing private investment into riskier mineral assets, where technical complexities, higher capital costs and regulatory uncertainties tend to dampen bidding interest. The government had cancelled several critical and strategic mineral block auctions in the previous rounds as well -- 11 blocks in the sixth round, five in the fifth, 11 in the fourth, three in the third, 14 in the second and 13 in the first tranche. "Since there were nil bids... the auction process for... two mineral bloc

Mining sector at crossroads: Moving beyond allocation towards execution

India's mining sector has seen major reforms over the past decade, but weak exploration, slow approvals and delayed project execution continue to hold back investment and output

Gifts from abroad over the years via diplomatic channels up for auction

The first public Toshakhana e-auction features around 300 gifts received by Indian diplomats, with proceeds going to the Consolidated Fund of India

Rolex, daggers, dragon sculptures: Inside India's diplomatic gift auction

Luxury watches, artworks, ceremonial objects and cultural artefacts gifted to Indian dignitaries are being auctioned through the MEA's Toshakhana, offering a glimpse into the 'gift diplomacy'

Nine states raise Rs 20,461 crore through SDL auction amid lower yields

The amount raised exceeded last week's mobilisation but fell short of the indicated borrowing calendar, with yields supported by softer government bond rates

Raja Ravi Varma's ₹167.2 cr-painting, and trajectory of Indian art market

Raja Ravi Varma's ₹167 crore auction sets a record, spotlighting rarity, national treasure status, and rising confidence of Indian art collectors

Cyrus Poonawalla buys Ravi Varma's 'Yashoda and Krishna' for record ₹167 cr

The price surpasses the previous record held by M F Husain's Untitled (Gram Yatra), which had sold for over ₹118 crore last year to Delhi-based collector and philanthropist Kiran Nadar

Govt cancels 11 critical, strategic mineral blocks auction on poor response

The government has cancelled the auction of 11 critical and strategic mineral blocks which were put on sale in the sixth round on account of poor investor response and lack of qualified bidders. The development comes as a setback to the government's efforts to ramp up domestic exploration and production of critical minerals amid global supply chain disruptions. In an annulment notice, the mines ministry said that the auction process for 5 mineral blocks was cancelled since no bids were received. The notice further said the auction process of five other mineral blocks was annulled as there were less than three technically-qualified bidders. Besides, auction process for Beku Rare Metal Block, West Bengal was also annulled. The mines ministry had in September last year launched the sixth tranche of auction for 23 critical mineral blocks spread across 13 states. The auction included 19 composite licence (CL) blocks and four mining lease (ML) blocks in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,

West Asia conflict: Gas shortage fires up CIL's e-auction premiums to 35%

Coal India's e-auction premium rose to about 35 per cent in February 2026 as gas shortages linked to the West Asia crisis pushed industrial users towards coal

RBI injects ₹55,837 crore in banking system through 3-day VRR auction

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday injected Rs 55,837 crore transient liquidity into the banking system through three-day variable rate repo (VRR) auction. The RBI injected the funds at cut-off and weighted average rates of 5.26 per cent, the central bank said in a release. The liquidity injected was much lower than the notified amount of Rs 1 lakh crore, despite the sharp drop in surplus liquidity in the banking system due to advance tax payments. Currently, liquidity in the banking system is estimated to be in surplus of about Rs 26,196.36 crore as on March 23. In the last few days, the central bank infused transient liquidity of Rs 2,08,208 crore into the banking system through VRR auctions of various tenures. Prior to this, the RBI infused Rs 3.50 lakh crore of durable liquidity into the banking system through open market purchase (OMO) of government securities since January 2026.

RBI to conduct ₹1 trn overnight variable rate repo auction on Mar 23

The Reserve Bank of India on Friday said it will conduct an overnight variable rate repo (VRR) auction of Rs 1 lakh crore on March 23. The auction will take place between 9:30 am and 10:00 am on March 23, and the reversal of these funds will take place on March 24, as per the central bank's release. The central bank announced the auction based on the current and evolving liquidity conditions of the banking system, the release added. Currently, the liquidity in the banking system is estimated to be in surplus of around Rs 16,875.36 crore. Earlier today, the central bank infused Rs 25,101 crore transient liquidity in the banking system through a three-day VRR auction. On March 17, the central bank injected Rs 48,014 crore liquidity into the banking system via a seven-day VRR. Before this, the RBI has infused Rs 3.50 lakh crore of durable liquidity into the banking system through open market purchase (OMO) of government securities since January 2026.

RBI's $10 billion FX swap auction garners 2.5 times subscription

The central bank accepted 118 bids at the FX swap auction with the premium cut-off set at 7.48 rupees. A total of 317 bids worth $25.03 billion were received

RBI to conduct OMO purchase auction worth ₹50,000 crore on January 5

The RBI will buy government securities worth ₹50,000 crore in an OMO auction on January 5, 2026, as part of four equal tranches announced for late December and January

Pakistan's national airline PIA is up for sale: Who are the 3 bidders?

To attract more investors, the government reduced PIA's debt, removed sales tax on new aircraft, and offered protection from select taxes and legal issues to revive interest in the sale

IPL 2026 mini auction shatters records in Abu Dhabi: Here are the top 10 most expensive buys

IPL 2026 mini auction shatters records in Abu Dhabi: Here are the top 10 most expensive buys

Mumbai court clears auction of Mehul Choksi-linked Gitanjali Gems assets

The Mumbai special court directed that proceeds from the auction, estimated at around ₹46 crore, be placed in a fixed deposit under the court's name until trial concludes

Maharashtra rejects bond bids again as seven states raise ₹11,600 crore

Maharashtra declined all bids for its long-term bond re-issues even as seven states raised Rs 11,600 crore, below the notified Rs 13,600 crore, at the weekly auction on Tuesday

Tipu Sultan pistols, Ranjit Singh painting set new auction record in UK

A pair of pistols made for Tipu Sultan and an intricate painting of Maharaja Ranjit Singh were among the starring lots that helped set a new auction record for Sotheby's in London this week. The Arts of the Islamic World and India' sale on Wednesday fetched a combined total of over 10 million pounds, with both historic Indian auction lots outshining their guide price estimates considerably. The 18th century Mysore ruler's silver-mounted flintlock pistols, made especially for the Tiger of Mysore, sold to a private collector for almost 14 times the estimate for 1.1 million pounds. The painting of the 19th century founder of the Sikh Empire, depicting Maharaja Ranjit Singh in procession through a bazaar by artist Bishan Singh set a new record for Sikh art as it was acquired by an institution for 952,500 pounds. This wonderfully detailed processional scene depicts Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikh leader, riding his elephant through a bazaar in Lahore, reads the Sotheby's catalogue ...

States, UTs borrow Rs 12,800 cr at auction, half of planned target

Higher tax devolution in October eased funding pressures for states, leading to lower-than-expected borrowing and a slight dip in yields on state government securities

Govt plans to bring in mechanism to curb irrational bidding by companies

It has been observed that such behaviour either distorts the bidding process and its price discovery function or lead to project delays when non-serious players bag contracts