New Delhi, November 1, 2026: Coal India Limited (CIL) achieved its highest-ever monthly coal supply in October 2026, delivering a record 70.3 million tonnes (MT), a 19 per cent increase over the corresponding month last year, even as India’s overall coal imports declined by 5.83 per cent, reflecting the country’s growing reliance on domestic production.
According to the Ministry of Coal, the October supply surpassed the previous monthly record of 69.4 MT set in March 2026. Supplies to the power sector also reached an all-time high of 57.1 MT, up 19 per cent year-on-year, exceeding the previous record of 56.5 MT recorded in May 2024.
Coal production during October rose 19 per cent to 67.2 MT, the company’s highest-ever output for the month. This surpassed the previous October record of 62.47 MT achieved in 2024.
Coal transportation also improved, with daily railway rake loading for the power sector reaching 310 rakes in October, surpassing the previous record of 302.8 rakes per day set in March 2025.
The record performance coincided with Coal India’s 51st Foundation Day on November 1. Established in 1975, the company has expanded its annual coal production from 79 MT in its first year to 768 MT in the financial year 2025-26. For the current financial year 2026-27, it has been assigned a production target of 815 MT.
Meanwhile, India’s coal imports showed a downward trend. According to the Ministry of Coal, imports declined by 5.83 per cent to 104.57 MT in August 2026, compared with 111.05 MT during the corresponding period last year, a reduction of 6.48 MT.
Imports by the power sector fell 6.39 per cent to 21.32 MT from 22.77 MT. More significantly, coal imports for blending at domestic coal-based power plants dropped 35.23 per cent to 3 MT from 4.64 MT, indicating improved availability of domestically produced coal.
However, imports by power plants designed to operate primarily on imported coal edged up 0.98 per cent to 18.31 MT from 18.13 MT.
The share of imported coal in India’s total coal consumption also declined to 19.30 per cent from 21.20 per cent, a decrease of 1.90 percentage points. Coking coal imports, primarily required by the steel industry, fell 4.18 per cent to 27.30 MT from 28.49 MT.
The Ministry of Coal attributed the declining import dependence to increased domestic production, improved transportation infrastructure and stronger supply-chain management. It also highlighted continued coordination with the Ministry of Railways and Coal India subsidiaries to ensure timely deliveries to power plants and maintain adequate fuel stocks.
While domestic coking coal availability remains constrained by the quality and characteristics of indigenous reserves, requiring continued imports for the steel industry, the government is focusing on expanding domestic production and strengthening coal logistics.
Together, the record October supply and declining coal imports underscore India’s efforts to strengthen domestic energy resources, reduce dependence on imported fuel and enhance energy security while meeting the country’s growing electricity demand.
(Source: ANI / Ministry of Coal)
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