compound annual growth of about 22 per cent over the period. Within this, commercial mines have contributed about 26.12 MT in FY 2025-26, with 23 mines operational (obtained Mine Opening Permission). At full production, the blocks auctioned so far are expected to yield annual revenue of about Rs. 47,000 crore, draw capital expenditure of about Rs. 48,756 crore, and generate employment of about 4,75,000.
Returns to the exchequer have grown on a similar scale. Revenue from premium generation has risen from Rs. 461 crore in FY 2014-15 to Rs. 5,553 crore in FY 2025-26, a compound annual growth of about 26 per cent, accruing to the exchequer and to the producing States.
The present focus is on ensuring that every auctioned mine is brought into production. Through sustained efforts for ease of doing business, the clearances required for blocks operationalization have been reduced and simplified, thereby scheduled operationalization timelines have been shortened, from 51 months to 40 for fully explored blocks and from 66 to 52 for partially explored ones (effective from the 15th round now under way).
Every commercial coal block since June 2020 has been awarded through open auction. These reforms rest on transparency, competition and a level playing field between public and private players, strengthening the country’s energy security, supporting its power and steel industries, and carrying India further towards the goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
