TFP Bureau, New Delhi, October 29, 2025: The Ministry of Coal today launched the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions, marking another milestone in India’s pursuit of energy self-reliance and sustainable growth. The event, held in New Delhi, was graced by Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, who joined as the Chief Guest through video conferencing. Senior ministry officials, industry leaders, and key stakeholders from across the coal sector attended the ceremony.
Under this new round, 41 coal mines are being offered for auction, including 21 mines identified for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)—a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at harnessing India’s deep coal reserves that lie beyond the reach of conventional mining methods. Of these, 20 are fully explored and 21 partially explored, offering a diverse mix of opportunities for investors. The tranche includes five mines under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 (CMSP) and 36 under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR).
In his keynote address, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy described the launch as a defining moment in India’s energy transition, reinforcing the government’s commitment to energy security, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and sustainable industrial development. He noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the coal sector has witnessed an unprecedented transformation—from reform to perform, and from perform to transform.
Highlighting the success of previous auctions, the Minister said the government has so far auctioned 133 coal mines across 12 rounds, adding a Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) of about 276 million tonnes per annum. He emphasized that commercial coal mining reforms have boosted domestic production, reduced dependence on imports, and created new employment opportunities in coal-bearing regions.
Focusing on the introduction of Underground Coal Gasification (UCG), Reddy termed it a breakthrough technology that aligns with India’s sustainability goals. Nearly 40 percent of India’s coal reserves are located at depths where conventional mining is not feasible, making UCG a key enabler of clean and efficient energy utilization. He also announced that pilot UCG projects are exempted from environmental clearance by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), ensuring faster implementation.
He urged all stakeholders to embrace innovation, collaboration, and investment in the coal sector to shape the future of India’s energy landscape.
Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Vikram Dev Dutt, underlined the Ministry’s commitment to accelerating reforms, enhancing transparency, and deepening digital integration across the coal value chain. He said the Ministry continues to work toward a responsible, technology-driven, and efficient mining ecosystem through constant policy evolution and stakeholder engagement.
Dutt highlighted that the focus on UCG and underground mining represents a forward-looking strategy to ensure both resource optimization and environmental responsibility. He reiterated the government’s resolve to move from incremental to transformational change in the coal sector.
Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Rupinder Brar, noted that the successful completion of the 13th Round of Coal Mine Auctions reflected rising investor confidence and strong industry participation. She said the 14th round would take these reforms a step further by integrating digital platforms, data-driven processes, and real-time monitoring systems for greater transparency and efficiency.
Brar emphasized that the Ministry aims to create a sustainable, investor-friendly, and technology-enabled coal ecosystem, opening the door for both established players and new entrants. She said that the use of digital dashboards and integrated systems is ushering in a new era of accountability and ease of doing business.
Additional Secretary Sanoj Kumar Jha also highlighted that commercial coal mining remains pivotal to achieving the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and ensuring long-term energy security. He said that digital initiatives like Koyla Shakti and CLAMP Portals would further strengthen the sector by promoting data-driven governance and efficient resource management.
With the launch of the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions, the Ministry of Coal reaffirmed its vision to build a robust, transparent, and self-reliant coal ecosystem, promoting industrial growth, regional development, and sustainable energy for a rapidly developing India.
