India’s coal imports fell 8.5 per cent to 16.55 million tonnes in February, as record domestic inventories and firm global prices reduced reliance on external supplies, according to data compiled by mjunction services, news agency PTI reported.
The country’s coal imports are expected to remain low in the near term, with local mining companies intensifying efforts to clear accumulated inventories.
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“Record high domestic coal stocks and flat seaborne prices have led to a decline in thermal coal imports. With domestic miners seeking to liquidate stocks, the weak trend in imports is expected to continue during the current month,” said Vinaya Varma, MD and CEO, mjunction.Coal imports stood at 18.10 million tons in February 2024-25, while imports on a monthly basis remained largely flat compared to 16.64 million tons in January 2026.Of the total imports in February, non-coking coal shipments fell to 9.80 million tons from 11.08 million tons a year ago. In contrast, coke imports rose to 3.92 million tons from 3.79 million tons in the same period.During April-February 2025-26, non-coking coal imports amounted to 137.60 million tons, lower than 152.26 million tons in the corresponding period of 2024-2025.
However, coke imports increased to 54.31 million tons from 49.62 million tons.The drop in imports comes amid a broader drive to boost domestic coal production under the government’s self-reliance initiative.India’s total coal production rose to 1,047.523 million tons in 2024-25 from 997.826 million tons in the previous year, registering a growth of about 4.98 per cent.A senior coal ministry official said coal stocks at thermal power plants remained comfortable at about 55 million tons as of Tuesday, enough for about 24 days of uninterrupted power generation based on average consumption over the past week.Coal Joint Secretary Sanjeev Kumar Kasi said the inventory situation indicated “absolutely no deficit” on the power generation side, addressing concerns about potential shortages amid rising summer demand.“The coal stock in power plants is about 55 million tons as of yesterday (Tuesday), which is enough for 24 days of uninterrupted power generation based on the average consumption in the last seven days. So we have no deficit at all on the power generation side,” he told an inter-ministerial press conference on developments in West Asia.The official added that local coal production currently matches consumption levels.
