Overview
- A vacation bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant kept in abeyance the November 20 order that had accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges based on 100‑metre elevation and 500‑metre clustering.
- The court proposed constituting a high‑powered committee of domain experts to reassess prior reports, examine ecological continuity, and evaluate the consequences of permitting regulated mining in areas excluded by the criteria.
- Judges flagged a potential “structural paradox” that could narrow protected zones, raised questions about gaps between hill formations, and noted concerns that only 1,048 of 12,081 Rajasthan hills may meet the 100‑metre threshold.
- Notices were issued to the Union government and the four Aravalli states, with the matter listed for January 21, 2026, and the court’s earlier directions and the committee’s recommendations kept on hold until further orders.
- Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said the complete halt on new mining leases and renewals continues, and the court reiterated that no mining may proceed in FSI‑defined Aravalli areas without its prior permission, while Rajasthan Congress paused its agitation after the stay.