India’s coal imports witnessed a significant decline of 8.4% during the April-December 2024 period, amounting to 183.42 million tonnes (MT) compared to 200.19 MT in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. This reduction has resulted in foreign exchange savings of approximately $5.43 billion (₹42,315.7 crore), highlighting the country’s growing self-sufficiency in coal production.
A key contributor to this decline was the Non-Regulated Sector (NRS), which excludes the power sector. Coal imports for this segment fell sharply by 12.01% year-on-year, indicating a notable shift towards domestic coal usage. Moreover, despite a 3.53% growth in coal-based power generation during the April-December 2024 period, imports for blending by thermal power plants plummeted by 29.8%. This underscores India’s commitment to reducing its reliance on imported coal and promoting indigenous coal production.
To strengthen domestic coal output, the Government of India has been implementing various initiatives such as Commercial Coal Mining and Mission Coking Coal. These efforts have yielded positive results, with coal production increasing by 6.11% during the April-December 2024 period compared to the same timeframe in the previous fiscal year.
Coal remains a crucial energy source for India’s rapidly expanding economy, supporting industries like power generation, steel production, and cement manufacturing. However, the country continues to face challenges in meeting its domestic demand, particularly for high-grade thermal coal and coking coal, which are in limited supply within Indian reserves. As a result, imports remain necessary to bridge the supply gap for critical sectors like steel production.
The Ministry of Coal has been implementing strategic measures to enhance domestic production and ensure a stable coal supply. These steps align with India’s broader objective of reducing coal imports and bolstering energy security. By prioritising domestic coal output, the government is advancing its vision of a self-reliant and sustainable energy framework, contributing to the nation’s long-term economic growth and the Viksit Bharat mission.
