New Delhi: Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Wednesday launched the online application portal for registering Coal Exchanges, marking the start of India’s regulated coal trading ecosystem. The portal allows eligible entities to apply for registration under the Coal Controller Organisation (CCO).
The Minister launched the portal during the curtain raiser event for Indian Mining Week 2026. Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey and Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt also attended the event.
The Ministry said Coal Exchanges will provide an online platform where buyers and sellers can trade coal and processed coal products through delivery-based contracts. As a result, the platform will support transparent price discovery, quality assurance, secure settlement and an effective grievance redressal system.
Coal Exchanges to modernise coal trading
The Ministry said the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2025 introduced the concept of Mineral Exchanges. Subsequently, it notified the Coal Exchange Rules, 2026, to establish the regulatory framework.
The Coal Controller Organisation will regulate and oversee Coal Exchanges. Under the rules, approved entities can establish and operate exchanges after receiving permission from the Authority. Each registration will remain valid for 25 years.
Moreover, the new framework aims to improve ease of doing business. It also seeks to strengthen market-based pricing, improve supply chains and encourage private investment in the coal sector.
Coal Exchanges portal enables online applications
The Ministry said the CCO prepared detailed application guidelines within one month of notifying the rules. It also developed a fully digital application portal and a user manual for applicants.
The portal allows applicants to register online, upload documents, pay fees through BharatKosh, submit applications and track their status in real time. Therefore, the entire process remains transparent and paperless.
The Ministry said Coal Exchanges will help build a competitive, efficient and future-ready coal market. It added that the initiative supports India’s goals of energy security, industrial growth and Viksit Bharat.
