The Ministry of Coal has notified the Coal Exchange Rules, 2026, paving the way for setting up coal exchanges in India to enable transparent and market-based trading of coal and its processed forms.
The rules were published in the Official Gazette on 4 June, the ministry said in a statement on Monday, 9 June.
The move follows the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2025, which introduced the concept of a mineral exchange and empowered the central government to promote transparent and efficient trading of minerals, including coal.
The ministry had designated the Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) in December 2025 as the authority responsible for registering and regulating coal exchanges.
Read also: SAIL to focus on special steel, cost optimisation and volume expansion after strong FY26 performance
Eligible entities will be authorised by the CCO to establish and operate coal exchanges, frame market rules and bye-laws, and facilitate coal trading.
Registrations for coal exchanges will be granted for a period of 25 years.
The ministry said the introduction of coal exchanges marks a shift in coal marketing from the traditional “one-to-many” sales model to a competitive “many-to-many” trading platform.
The new platform is expected to enable transparent and market-driven price discovery, improve efficiency and give coal producers, including commercial and captive miners, easier access to a wider pool of buyers.
Public sector coal companies will also be able to use the platform to expand market participation.
The ministry said the coal exchange initiative is aimed at improving ease of doing business, promoting transparency and building a modern energy market framework.
The reform is expected to create a more competitive and efficient coal market, strengthen energy security and support industrial growth.
Read also: India launches BHAVYA Portal to develop 100 industrial parks under ₹33,660 crore scheme
