The union coal ministry posted a steady rise in coal production and dispatches from captive and commercial mines in December 2025. This meant stronger fuel availability for power, industry and infrastructure as the country enters 2026.
In December 2025, captive and commercial coal mines produced 19.48 million tonnes (MT) of coal, while dispatches to consumers stood at 18.02MT, the coal ministry announced on Friday. This marked a 5.75 per cent year‑on‑year jump in production compared with December 2024.
The ministry noted that higher dispatches alongside rising production point to better planning and coordination between mines, transporters and end‑users, helping reduce supply bottlenecks. This momentum is important to support the country’s energy demand in the remaining months of FY 2025‑26, the official statement said.
Strong quarterly growth
During the third quarter (October–December) of FY 2025‑26, total coal production from captive and commercial blocks reached 54.14MT, with dispatches at 50.61MT.
Q3 production surged 5.35 per cent year‑on‑year increase on what the ministry described as “sustained operational momentum” across the segment.
For the financial year up to December, coal output from these mines grew 9.72 per cent compared to the same period last year, while dispatches were up 6.98 per cent.
The ministry pegged the rise as due to improved operational efficiency and more effective use of installed mining capacity. Better performance stemmed from strategic policy measures, closer monitoring and consistent support to mine operators, said the Centre.
The ministry also stressed that it was working to build a “stable and performance‑driven environment” for captive and commercial mining so that coal remained reliably available for key sectors like power, steel and cement.
