Page 57 - Policy Economic Report - October 2025

POLICY AND ECONOMIC REPORT
OIL & GAS MARKET

unlocked vast new opportunities, leading to enhanced domestic production, reduced import
dependency, and greater employment generation at the regional level.

Shri Reddy further emphasized that commercial coal mining has catalyzed a paradigm shift, making the
sector more competitive, efficient, and investment-friendly. He underscored that one of the most
significant features of this tranche is the focus on Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) an innovative
technology being promoted for the first time in the auction process. Nearly 40% of India’s coal reserves
lie deep underground, beyond the reach of conventional mining methods.

Referring to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), he informed that pilot
UCG projects are exempted from environmental clearance, ensuring faster implementation. He added
that the Government, through a Whole-of-Government Approach, is working in close coordination to
accelerate the pace of coal gasification. The success of this initiative, he emphasized, will depend on
collaboration between the Government, private industry, and academia.

The Minister urged all stakeholders to enthusiastically seize this opportunity and join hands in shaping
the future of coal utilization in India.

In his insightful discourse, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, emphasized the Ministry’s
steadfast commitment to accelerating reforms, enhancing transparency, and deepening digital
integration across the coal ecosystem.

Shri Dutt underlined that the Ministry is constantly working on reforms and policy-process changes to
ensure timely, efficient, and sustainable outcomes. With a futuristic mindset, the Ministry aims to take
reforms to a much higher level driving accelerated coal production, especially in underground mining,
while ensuring responsible and optimized use of resources. Highlighting the Government’s mantra of
Reform, Perform, and Transform, Shri Dutt stated that these efforts are not only improving operational
efficiency but also paving the way for private participation and technological innovation in the sector.

Shri Dutt noted that the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions represents a major step towards
energy security and self-reliance, with several identified blocks suitable for Underground Coal
Gasification (UCG), a technology holding immense potential for the future of clean coal utilization.

In her address, Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal,
highlighted that the recently concluded 13th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions has painted a
rosy and progressive picture of India’s coal sector, marked by enthusiastic stakeholder participation and
robust investor confidence. She observed that this encouraging response reflects the success of the
Government’s reform-driven policies aimed at promoting transparency, competitiveness, and self-
reliance in coal mining.

Ms. Brar further stated that the launch of the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions is not just a
continuation but an evolution integrating cutting-edge technology, digital platforms, and data-driven
processes to streamline operations and strengthen governance. She emphasized that these
transformative efforts are positioning India’s coal sector on a future-ready path, ensuring optimal
resource utilization, minimal environmental footprint, and maximum efficiency.

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