Why it is in the news
On 20 September 2026 the Ministry of Coal, through PIB, set out how Coal India Limited (CIL) is moving from coal extraction towards a “diversified, technology-driven portfolio” built on five platforms: coal gasification and coal-to-chemicals; thermal power; renewable energy and storage; critical minerals and advanced materials; and diversified minerals, including iron ore.
The exam angle
Issue: Coal India is using coal-era profits to build a post-coal portfolio — but its largest bet, coal-to-chemicals, extends coal's life and raises its emissions intensity. Is CIL's diversification a genuine transition strategy or a strategy to keep coal central to India's economy?