India Turns Up the Heat on Domestic Coal, Imports Cool by 1.4%

Unknown Apr 02, 2026 1 Views

India's coal imports saw a marginal fall of 1.4% for the April-February period of FY'25, indicating the nation's drive to maximize domestic production and deal with stockpiles. Overall coal imports totaled 240.77 million tonnes (MT), down from 244.27 MT for the same period in FY'24. This modest decline is in line with market expectations given high domestic coal stockpiles and an emphasis on energy security.

Overall Fall: Imports of coal decreased by 1.4%, from 244.27 MT in FY'24 to 240.77 MT in FY'25 (April-February).
Non-Coking Coal: Imports decreased to 152.3 MT, from 160.6 MT during last year's corresponding period.
Coking Coal: Imports also slightly reduced to 49.7 MT, from 51.9 MT year-on-year.
February Numbers: February 2025 total coal import stood at 18.10 MT, a precipitous drop from 21.64 MT in February 2024 and a 15.3% decline month-on-month from January 2025.
Market Forces: The fall is due to high inventories and diminished demand for imported coal, with a pickup expected with summer boosting power demand.
Domestic Production Surge: India's domestic coal production reached 928.95 MT in April-February FY'25 compared to 878.55 MT in the comparable period of FY'24.
Government Spotlight: Ministry of Coal highlighted the strong growth in domestic production in its pledge for energy security and industrial development.

This movement highlights India's consistent endeavors to secure its energy requirements through heightened dependence on domestic resources alongside efficiently managing import expenses.

References: Business Standard, The Week

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