EconomyThursday, 10 September 2026·The Hindu - Economy
IEA projects India coal demand at 1,353 MT in 2026; output may hit 1,095 MT
The IEA said India’s coal demand may rise 4.2% in 2026, with production reaching a record 1,095 MT.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In September 2026, the International Energy Agency (IEA) projected that India’s coal demand would rise 4.2% year-on-year to 1,353 million tonnes in 2026, while production could touch a record 1,095 million tonnes.
Key specifics
- IEA’s mid-year report said global coal demand may rise 1.2% to 8.94 billion tonnes in 2026.
- India’s coal imports are projected to fall from 167 MT in 2025 to 160 MT in 2026.
- Government data cited in the report showed coal production of 1,047 MT in FY 2024-25 and 1,040.08 MT in FY 2025-26.
- Coal India Ltd accounts for around three quarters of national production, according to the report.
- The report linked higher Indian demand to power needs, El Niño conditions and strong output in pig iron, DRI and cement sectors.
Exam lens
TNPSC economy question type: report-based MCQ on IEA, coal demand, production and imports; remember 1,353 MT demand, 1,095 MT output, 160 MT imports and Coal India’s three-quarter share.