The Ministry of Coal has notified the Coal Exchange Rules, 2026, paving the way for the establishment of coal exchanges in India and marking a significant reform in the country's coal marketing framework.

The initiative follows the enactment of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2025, which introduced the concept of Mineral Exchanges and empowered the Central Government to facilitate transparent and efficient trading of minerals, including coal and its processed products.

To operationalise the framework, the government has designated the Coal Controller Organisation as the regulatory authority responsible for registering and overseeing coal exchanges. Eligible entities will be allowed to establish and operate coal exchanges, formulate market rules, and facilitate coal trading. Registrations will be valid for 25 years.

The proposed coal exchanges will transition the sector from the traditional one-to-many sales model to a competitive many-to-many trading platform, enabling transparent price discovery and improving market efficiency. The platform is expected to provide coal producers, including commercial and captive miners, with access to a broader buyer base while also offering public sector coal companies an additional channel for market participation.

According to the Ministry of Coal, the reform is aimed at enhancing transparency, improving ease of doing business, and creating a more efficient and competitive coal market. The government believes the initiative will strengthen energy security, support industrial growth, and contribute to the vision of a developed India by fostering a modern and self-reliant energy ecosystem.