New Delhi— India’s coal import bill dropped by $7.93 billion (₹60,681.67 crore) in fiscal year 2024–25, thanks to a surge in domestic coal production, according to a statement from the Ministry of Coal released on Tuesday.
Total coal imports declined by 7.9 percent, falling to 243.62 million tonnes (MT) from 264.53 MT in the previous fiscal year. The most significant drop came from the non-regulated sector—which excludes power generation—where imports fell by 8.95 percent year-over-year.
Although coal-based power generation rose by 3.04 percent during the same period, imports used for blending by thermal power plants dropped sharply by 41.4 percent. The decline underscores India’s commitment to reducing reliance on imported coal and strengthening energy self-sufficiency.
The government has introduced several key initiatives to boost domestic production, including Commercial Coal Mining and Mission Coking Coal. These efforts contributed to a 5 percent increase in overall coal output in FY 2024–25 compared to the previous year.
Coal remains vital to India’s energy needs, powering major industries such as electricity generation, steel, and cement. However, the country still faces supply constraints, particularly in coking coal and high-grade thermal coal, which are not readily available in domestic reserves. Imports have been essential to fill that gap—especially for the steel sector.
To reduce this dependence, the Ministry of Coal continues to pursue strategic reforms aimed at expanding domestic capacity and ensuring a stable coal supply. These efforts are part of India’s broader goal of building a self-reliant energy system to support the “Viksit Bharat” vision for long-term, sustainable economic growth. (Source: IANS)
