Coal India Limited (CIL) significantly intensified its research and development (R&D) initiatives, announcing plans to invest approximately ₹1,900 crore by FY2029-30 to drive technological innovation and support India’s evolving energy landscape. The investment forms part of Coal India’s long-term strategy to transform itself through advanced technologies, clean energy research, and sustainable mining practices while enhancing operational efficiency and future growth.
NaCCER Becomes the Hub of Coal India’s Innovation Ecosystem
Coal India’s R&D transformation gained momentum during FY2024-25 with the establishment of the National Centre for Coal and Energy Research (NaCCER), a hub-and-spoke model designed to accelerate research, technology development, and commercialization. Moving beyond proof-of-concept studies, the company is now focusing on prototype development and technology validation, corresponding to Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-4 and above. This shift is intended to bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial deployment. “We intend to shift R&D to a higher orbit to drive the company’s future growth and technological transformation,” a senior Coal India official said.
R&D Spending Quadruples in FY25
Coal India’s commitment to innovation is reflected in its sharply increased R&D expenditure. The company invested ₹245 crore in FY2024-25, compared with ₹61 crore in FY2023-24, representing a four-fold increase. The enhanced spending also aligns with the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) guideline, which requires central public sector enterprises to allocate annual R&D expenditure averaging 1% of the profit before tax earned during the preceding three financial years.
Partnerships with IITs Strengthen Industry-Academia Collaboration
To create a structured innovation ecosystem, Coal India has introduced a comprehensive R&D policy while expanding collaboration with leading academic institutions. The company has established three Centres of Excellence (CoEs) at premier Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs): Centre of Clean Coal Energy and Net Zero (CLEANZ) at IIT Hyderabad, Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) at IIT Madras and Innovation in Mining (IMiN) at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. These centres function as specialized research hubs under NaCCER, focusing on pilot-scale research, prototype development, and technology validation. Coal India has committed ₹253 crore, to be released in phases, to support these Centres of Excellence.
Research Portfolio Covers Clean Energy and Advanced Mining Technologies
Coal India currently has 19 R&D projects under execution through leading scientific institutions, with a combined investment of ₹225 crore under NaCCER’s direct supervision. In addition, the Centres of Excellence are executing 13 pilot-scale research and prototype development projects covering several strategic technology areas.
Developing Next-Generation Mining Technologies
The Innovation in Mining (IMiN) Centre at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad focuses on addressing key mining challenges through applied research, technology development, and research fellowships. Its work supports capacity building while developing innovative solutions to improve mining productivity, safety, and operational efficiency.
International Collaborations Expand Technology Access
Coal India has also strengthened its global innovation network through collaborations with leading international technology organizations. Key partnerships include: Ergo Exergy (Canada) for the Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) project at Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), Ericsson (Sweden) for implementing 5G-enabled technologies at the Jhanjra underground coal mine and CSIRO (Australia) to advance collaborative research in mining and energy technologies. These international collaborations will help Coal India access cutting-edge technologies while accelerating the adoption of digital mining and clean energy solutions.
Building a Technology-Driven Future
With a planned ₹1,900 crore investment in R&D by FY2030, Coal India is repositioning itself as a technology-driven energy company focused on innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, through strategic investments in clean coal technologies, carbon management, digital mining, critical minerals, circular economy solutions, and international research partnerships, the company aims to enhance energy security while supporting India’s transition toward a more sustainable and technologically advanced energy future.
