The Ministry of Coal will finalise the draft rules for the country’s proposed coal exchange by the end of November, after reviewing feedback received from stakeholders, Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt said on Thursday. Speaking on the sidelines of the Asia Mining Congress, Dutt said the exchange would introduce transparency and market efficiency in domestic coal trading. “The draft coal exchange rules are in the public domain. Comments have come, and we are examining those. The rules will be finalised by the end of November,” he added.
Coal Exchange to Bring Market Led Reforms
The proposed coal exchange is designed to function as a market driven platform, streamlining pricing and allocation through open electronic trading. As per the draft framework, the Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) will oversee registration, regulation, and compliance of the exchanges. The Ministry had invited comments till mid October, and the final policy will define parameters for trade, transparency standards, and eligibility norms for participants. Officials said the move is part of the Government’s ongoing effort to modernise the coal sector and reduce supply inefficiencies.
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Disinvestment of BCCL and CMPDIL Gained Momentum
On the disinvestment front, Dutt said Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) and Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Ltd (CMPDIL) have reached advanced stages. The Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) for both firms was cleared by SEBI in September, and investor roadshows for BCCL are underway. “We have moved ahead for both BCCL and CMPDIL. There is healthy investor interest, and the roadshow will conclude by this month,” he said.
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India’s Coal Production Surpassed One Billion Tonne Mark
The Coal Secretary also noted that India’s coal production remains robust, with both production and supply surpassing the one billion tonne mark for the first time in FY25. Coal India Ltd alone produced 781 million tonnes, while the total output from captive and commercial mines took the national tally beyond one billion tonnes. Despite a 4% dip in power generation this fiscal’s first half, Dutt said domestic stock levels are at record highs. The Government expects total coal output to reach 1.15 billion tonnes in FY26.
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Coal Sector Enters a Phase of Structural Transformation
The proposed coal exchange and ongoing disinvestments represent the next stage of structural reforms aimed at building a competitive, transparent, and self-sufficient coal market. As India transitions toward diversified energy sources, the coal sector’s efficiency and digital transformation will remain critical to sustaining industrial demand. The Ministry’s push for policy-driven transparency and investor participation signals a clear intent to reshape India’s coal economy into a modern, globally aligned system.
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