Coal imports for blending in India’s power sector declined sharply by 54 percent during the April–December period of the current financial year, providing significant relief to domestic coal-based power plants facing elevated input costs.

Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha, G. Kishan Reddy, Minister for Coal and Mines, said coal imports for blending have steadily reduced over the past few years. Imports fell from 35.10 million tonnes (MT) in 2022–23 to 14.02 MT in 2024–25.

During April–December 2025–26, imports further declined to 5.5 MT, compared to 12 MT in the same period last year. The reduction has helped lower fuel costs for domestic coal-based power plants and improved reliance on local coal supplies.