SC Stays November 20 Aravalli Hills Directions Amid Widespread Public Debate, Seeks Expert Review

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed its November 20, 2025 directions on the definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges , saying the issue requires further examination. A vacation bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Augustine George Masih proposed the constitution of a high-powered committee of domain experts to undertake a comprehensive and holistic review of the matter. The bench said the recommendations of the proposed committee, along with the findings and directions of the November 20 judgment, will remain in abeyance. Notices were issued to the Centre and other stakeholders in the suo motu matter titled ‘In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues’ , and the case has been posted for further hearing on January 21 .

The decision to revisit the earlier verdict comes against the backdrop of intense public debate , including widespread discussions on social media platforms and sustained television coverage questioning the scope and implications of the uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges. Several television debates, including those aired on Republic TV anchored by Arnab Goswami , focused on the potential impact of the definition on land use, livelihoods and existing mining operations. However, the court did not attribute its decision to any external campaign or media coverage.

The November 20 verdict , delivered by a bench headed by former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai , along with Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria , had accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges covering areas in Delhi , Haryana , Rajasthan and Gujarat , and had barred the grant of fresh mining leases in these regions until expert reports were submitted. The order, however, did not cancel mining licences already issued , raising questions over the status of any licences allegedly granted in the interim period between November 20 and December 28 , an issue that remains unresolved.

The definitions, recommended by a committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change , stated that an Aravalli Hill is any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above the local relief , including the hill, its supporting slopes and associated landforms. An Aravalli Range was defined as a collection of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other , with the land and features between them, including hillocks and supporting slopes, also forming part of the range.

The November verdict had also incorporated recommendations on prohibiting mining in core or inviolate areas , promoting sustainable mining practices and preventing illegal mining in the Aravalli Hills and Ranges. With the latest order keeping those directions in abeyance, the court said the issue would now be reconsidered after a detailed expert examination.