India’s coal imports dropped 5.83 per cent in August 2026 as the Ministry of Coal pushed domestic production and supply.
India’s total coal imports declined by 5.83 per cent in August 2026, falling to 104.57 million tonnes (MT) from 111.05 MT in August 2025, a reduction of 6.48 MT. The decline reflects the Ministry of Coal’s continued efforts to enhance domestic coal production, improve availability and strengthen the supply chain to reduce dependence on imported coal.
Coal imports by power plants decreased by 6.39 per cent, from 22.77 MT to 21.32 MT. Imports by imported coal-based power plants rose marginally by 0.98 per cent to 18.31 MT from 18.13 MT, while imports for blending at domestic coal-based power plants fell 35.23 per cent to 3.00 MT from 4.64 MT. The share of imported coal in total coal consumption declined from 21.20 per cent to 19.30 per cent.
Coking coal imports decreased by 4.18 per cent, from 28.49 MT to 27.30 MT. The Ministry said domestic availability of coking coal remains constrained by the quality and characteristics of indigenous reserves. It continues to focus on raising domestic production and offtake, strengthening First Mile Connectivity, improving coal evacuation infrastructure and monitoring coal stock levels at thermal power plants, in coordination with the Ministry of Railways and Coal India Limited.
Source: Press Information Bureau
