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6 October 2026 · National and international edition

Coal Stocks Critically Low at 84 of 191 Thermal Plants: Record Heat, Weak Monsoon and a 10% Jump in Power Demand

  • Infrastructure & Energy
  • GS-III, GS-I
  • The Hindureported it
  • Coal
  • Power Sector
  • Central Electricity Authority
  • Energy Security
  • El Niño

Why it is in the news

Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data as of 30 September 2026 show that 84 of India's 191 coal-based thermal power plants — over 44% — hold critically low coal stocks, even as the Ministry of Coal reported record supplies to the power sector on 5 October 2026. The pressure comes from a 10% rise in power demand in 2026, the steepest year-on-year increase in a decade.

The exam angle

Issue: India's power system faces recurring coal-stock crises whenever heat and weak monsoons push demand beyond the coal supply chain's ability to rebuild plant inventories.

Written for APPSC Group 1, TGPSC Group 1 and UPSC Civil Services. More from 6 October 2026 or all current affairs.

Coal Stocks Critically Low at 84 of 191 Thermal Plants: Record Heat, Weak Monsoon and a 10% Jump in Power Demand · PrepShark