Coal India Limited Celebrates 51st Foundation Day with Record Output
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Key takeaways
- Coal India Limited (CIL) celebrated its 51st Foundation Day on November 1, 2026.
- CIL reached a record monthly coal dispatch of 70.3 million tonnes (MT) and supplied 57.1 MT to the power sector in October 2026.
- The Maharatna company recorded a highest-ever monthly output of 67.2 MT in October 2026, marking a 19% year-on-year growth.
- Railway evacuation achieved an all-time high of 310 railway rakes per day for power plants during October 2026.
- CIL increased its yearly production from 79 MT in 1975-76 to 768 MT in FY 2025-26, targeting 815 MT for FY 2026-27.
Why in News
- Coal India Limited (CIL) celebrated its 51st Foundation Day on November 1, 2026.
- The company achieved record-breaking monthly coal production, supply, and railway evacuation during October 2026, which strengthens the energy security of India.
About Coal India Limited
- Coal India Limited (CIL) is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) functioning under the Ministry of Coal, and it is the largest coal producer in India.
- The government established CIL on November 1, 1975, after nationalising and restructuring the domestic coal industry.
- The main role of the company is to supply reliable domestic coal for thermal power generation and heavy industrial needs.
Key Performance Records and Findings
- The company reached its highest monthly coal supply of 70.3 million tonnes (MT) in October 2026, surpassing the previous record of 69.4 MT set in March 2026 with a 19% annual growth.
- It supplied 57.1 MT of coal to the power sector in October 2026, exceeding the earlier high of 56.5 MT achieved in May 2024 by registering a 19% yearly growth.
- Monthly coal output hit a record high of 67.2 MT in October 2026, beating the previous October 2024 record of 62.47 MT with a 19% growth.
- Railway coal evacuation set a record by dispatching 310 railway rakes per day for thermal plants, beating the previous record of 302.8 rakes per day from March 2025.
- Long-term production surged from 79 MT in 1975-76 to 768 MT in FY 2025-26, and CIL aims to achieve 815 MT in FY 2026-27.
Significance of the Achievement
- Higher domestic coal production guarantees steady fuel availability for thermal power plants, boosting electricity supply and cutting costly foreign coal imports.
- Record loading of railway rakes strengthens the coal transport network, removing supply bottlenecks and delivering coal to power units on time.