India's Coal Imports Dip Amid Strong Domestic Reserves and Self-Reliance Push

India Slashes Coal Imports as Domestic Stockpiles Surge, Boosting Self-Reliance Drive​

Coal Imports See Dip Amid Strong Domestic Stock Management​

India's coal imports registered a noticeable decline in February, falling 8.5 per cent to 16.55 million tonnes. This reduction is attributed to robust domestic coal stockpiles and the stability observed in global seaborne prices.

Industry experts suggest that the weak trend in imports is likely to persist. Vinaya Varma, MD & CEO of mjunction services, noted that the combination of high domestic stocks and steady seaborne pricing contributed to the dip in thermal coal imports. He added that efforts by domestic miners to liquidate existing stocks are expected to sustain this weak import trend in the current month.

Analyzing Coal Import Components​

Data compiled by mjunction services limited shows that total coal imports for February 2024-25 were recorded at 18.10 MT. For the month of February, non-coking coal imports stood at 9.80 MT, marking a reduction from the 11.08 MT imported in February 2024-25.

Conversely, coking coal imports saw an increase, reaching 3.92 MT compared to 3.79 MT recorded in the same preceding period. Looking at the year-to-date figures spanning April-February 2025-26, non-coking coal imports totaled 137.60 MT, which was lower than the 152.26 MT imported during the same period in 2024-25.

Domestic Production Bolsters Energy Security​

The dip in imports occurs against the backdrop of a strategic national push towards self-reliance in coal production. All-India coal production for 2024-25 reached 1,047.523 MT. This figure represents a notable growth of about 4.98 per cent when compared to the 997.826 MT recorded in 2023-24.

Power Sector Inventory Remains Robust​

Concerns regarding potential shortages have been quelled by current stock levels at power plants. A senior official from the coal ministry confirmed that coal inventories at thermal power plants remained comfortable around 55 million tonnes as of Tuesday.

This existing stock is sufficient to guarantee 24 days of uninterrupted power generation, calculated based on the average consumption recorded over the last seven days. During an inter-ministerial briefing, Coal Joint Secretary Sanjeev Kumar Kassi emphasized that this stock level indicates an "absolute no deficit" on the power generation side. The official also pointed out that domestic coal production is currently matching consumption levels.