India’s thermal power plants currently hold approximately 53.41 million tonnes of coal, ensuring a supply for nearly 23 days at the current consumption rate. Additional coal stocks are being accumulated at coal mining companies’ pitheads as a precautionary measure to address any potential disruptions caused by the Iran war, as per the Ministry of Coal.
The coal stock at Coal India Limited (CIL) mines has increased from 106.78 million tonnes on April 1, 2025, to about 125.54 million tonnes as of March 18, 2026. Moreover, there are 5.75 million tonnes of coal at Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) mines, 15.75 million tonnes at captive/commercial mines, 12 million tonnes in transit, and 5.49 million tonnes in ports and good-shed sidings, according to the ministry’s statement.
Coal remains crucial for providing consistent baseload power to support key industries like steel and cement, essential for the country’s economic growth. The coal production in India is aligned with consumer demands, ensuring sufficient stocks at the mine-end to meet consumer requirements, with the support of Railways, as highlighted in the ministry’s statement.
Coal India Limited is actively ensuring coal supply to all consumers, including small and medium-scale consumers. Through planned e-auctions in March, offering around 23.56 million tonnes of coal, CIL is working to meet consumer needs effectively. The company has already conducted five auctions since March 12, with 73.1 lakh tonnes of coal offered and 31.96 lakh tonnes booked, indicating the adequacy of coal supply in the e-auctions.
Additionally, CIL is taking steps to guarantee coal availability to consumers through State Nominated Agencies (SNAs) and has urged state governments to provide additional coal requirements to prevent energy shortages. Continuous monitoring of state offtake through SNAs by CIL ensures uninterrupted coal supplies to meet demands, as per the ministry’s statement.
The Ministry of Coal is committed to establishing a performance-oriented ecosystem by facilitating policies, implementing robust monitoring mechanisms, and engaging stakeholders proactively. These efforts aim to ensure reliable coal availability, sustain operations across critical sectors, and meet the nation’s escalating energy needs effectively.
