Coal India’s Output Surges Nearly Tenfold Over Five Decades

New Delhi — Coal India Limited (CIL) has recorded an almost tenfold increase in coal production over the past five decades, growing from 79 million tonnes (MT) at the time of its establishment in 1975 to 781 MT at the close of FY 2025, according to an official statement released on Saturday.

During the same period, coal supplies also rose sharply — by 685 MT — from 78 MT to 763 MT.

Marking its golden jubilee, the Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Coal is celebrating 50 years since its formation on November 1, 1975. CIL was established as the apex holding company for the nationalised coking coal mines (1971) and non-coking coal mines (1973).

With a workforce exceeding 2.2 lakh employees, Coal India continues to be one of the country’s largest corporate employers and a vital pillar of India’s energy sector.

The company witnessed its fastest growth in the last decade, with production climbing from 494 MT in FY 2014–15 to 781 MT in FY 2024–25 — a sharp rise of 287 MT, accounting for nearly 41 per cent of the total production increase achieved over five decades.

Coal off-take also saw a 40 per cent rise during the same period, jumping by 274 MT from 489 MT in FY 2014–15 to 763 MT in FY 2024–25.

“For any company to remain at the forefront of the nation’s energy sector for 50 years, contributing 75 per cent of India’s total coal output, is a remarkable achievement,” a senior CIL executive said, emphasising the company’s expanding role and the Coal Ministry’s continued push to raise production levels further.

Beyond its core coal operations, CIL is actively pursuing diversification initiatives, including plans to establish 3,000 MW of solar power capacity by FY 2028 in its first phase, engage in critical mineral acquisitions, and advance coal gasification projects.

With inputs from IANS