India crosses 1 billion tonne coal production for the second year in a row
India achieved 1 billion tonnes of coal production in 2025-26 on 20 March 2026, the second consecutive year it has crossed the mark, the Ministry of Coal said.
Summary
The Ministry of Coal said the country reached the landmark of 1 billion tonnes (BT) of coal production on 20 March 2026, for the second year in a row. The sustained output helped meet rising energy demand and enabled record-high coal stocks at coal-based thermal power plants. The ministry linked the achievement to planning, execution and coordination across the coal value chain and to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Key facts
- Milestone
- 1 billion tonnes coal production
- Reached on
- 20 March 2026 (FY 2025-26)
- Streak
- Second consecutive year
- Impact
- Record-high coal stocks at thermal power plants
- Ministry
- Ministry of Coal
Practice MCQs 2 questions
On 20 March 2026, India crossed which coal production milestone for the second year in a row?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 billion tonnes
India reached 1 billion tonnes of coal production on 20 March 2026, for the second consecutive year.
Consider the following about India's coal output milestone of March 2026: 1. It was the first time India produced 1 billion tonnes of coal in a year. 2. The Ministry said it enabled record-high coal stocks at thermal power plants. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
It was the second year in a row, not the first, so statement 1 is wrong; the ministry said it supported record-high coal stocks at thermal plants.