Page 60 - Policy Economic Report - August 2025

POLICY AND ECONOMIC REPORT
OIL & GAS MARKET

Delivering the welcome address, Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority,
Ministry of Coal, highlighted the transformative impact of commercial coal mining in unlocking new
opportunities for private players and fostering competition.

She also spoke that the Underground Coal Gasification represents a pioneering technology in coal
utilization, enabling the conversion of coal directly into syngas while still underground. This process
minimizes surface disturbance, reduces land requirement, and lowers the environmental footprint
compared to traditional mining methods.

Highlighting the importance of UCG, Ms. Brar noted that India has vast coal reserves located at greater
depths, which remain untapped due to technical and economic limitations of traditional mining. UCG
offers a sustainable pathway to tap these reserves, ensuring energy security while aligning with the
principles of responsible and cleaner coal utilization.

The launch marks another major step towards unlocking new investment opportunities, ensuring
responsible mining practices, and fostering greater participation in India’s coal sector. The event also
featured the signing of agreements of previous tranche with successful bidders, reinforcing the
Government’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and private sector participation in coal mining.

As part of the 13th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions, 4 coal mines are being offered under the
Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 (CMSP) and 10 under the Mines and Minerals (Development and
Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR). Out of the total mines, 10 are fully explored and ready for immediate
development, while 4 are partially explored, offering long-term investment opportunities and
contributing to the growth of India’s coal sector. In addition, three mines from previous round of
commercial coal mine auctions are also being offered. The mines being auctioned are spread across coal
bearing states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

The 13th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions is set to unlock new investment opportunities,
enhance domestic coal supply, and contribute significantly to India’s energy security. The Ministry of Coal
remains dedicated to fostering growth, sustainability, and safety in the sector, ensuring that India
continues to move toward a self-reliant coal economy while prioritizing environmental conservation and
community welfare.

India and Japan sign Memorandum of Cooperation on Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) under Article
6.2 of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, has signed an
Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Government of Japan on Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)
under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC). The development demonstrates India’s firm commitment to Climate Action and marks yet
another milestone in the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

The MoC, signed earlier this month, is part of an important area of Indo-Japan Cooperation - ‘Green
Energy Focus for a Better Future’ - that was highlighted today by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
during his ongoing visit to Japan.

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