The Offshore areas mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002

This edition of The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002 provides the updated bare text of the principal legislation governing exploration, development, and regulation of mineral resources in India’s offshore areas. Originally enacted as Act No. 17 of 2003 and brought into force on 30 January 2003, the Act is reproduced in this volume as amended by Notification No. SO 4760(E), dated 29 October 2024, ensuring full conformity with the latest statutory position.

The book comprehensively compiles the Act along with all allied and subordinate legislation notified up to 2026. It includes the Offshore Areas (Existence of Mineral Resources) Rules, 2024; the Offshore Areas Mineral Trust Rules, 2024; the Offshore Areas Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2024 as amended by GSR 311(E) dated 14 May 2025; the Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules, 2024; and the Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024, along with provisions relating to the Offshore Areas Mineral Trust. The text is presented primarily as a bare act with short comments, maintaining statutory precision while offering limited contextual clarity.

This publication serves as an authoritative and practical reference for law students, judicial services candidates, legal practitioners, policymakers, and professionals engaged in mining law, energy law, maritime law, and natural resource governance. By consolidating the principal Act with all relevant rules and amendments in force, this edition offers a complete and up-to-date legal resource on offshore mineral development and regulation in India.