Coal India Limited (CIL) is significantly strengthening its research and development (R&D) capabilities with a planned investment of around ₹1,900 crore by FY2030 as part of its long-term strategy to drive technological innovation, improve operational efficiency and support the country’s evolving energy requirements. The company’s renewed R&D strategy 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 promote advanced research and technology development.
With NaCCER at the centre of its innovation ecosystem, CIL has shifted its emphasis from proof-of-concept studies to prototype development and technology validation corresponding to Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-4 and above. “We are positioning research and development as a key driver of Coal India’s future growth and technological transformation,” a senior company official said.
Reflecting this strategic shift, CIL increased its R&D expenditure four-fold to ₹245 crore during FY2024-25 from ₹61 crore in the previous financial year. The enhanced investment aligns with the Department of Public Enterprises’ guideline requiring central public sector enterprises to earmark annual R&D expenditure averaging one per cent of the profit before tax of the preceding three years. To institutionalise innovation, the company has also introduced a comprehensive R&D policy.
As part of its collaborative research framework, CIL has established three Centres of Excellence at premier Indian Institutes of Technology. These include the Centre of Clean Coal Energy and Net Zero (CLEANZ) at IIT Hyderabad, the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) at IIT Madras, and the Innovation in Mining (IMiN) centre at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. Functioning as research hubs under NaCCER, these centres are engaged in pilot-scale studies, prototype development and technology validation. CIL has committed ₹253 crore, to be released in phases, for these initiatives.
The company is currently overseeing 19 R&D projects with a total investment of ₹225 crore through leading scientific institutions. In addition, 13 research projects are being pursued through the Centres of Excellence, focusing on emerging technologies and practical industry applications.
Research at CLEANZ covers clean coal technologies, enhanced coal bed methane recovery, carbon capture, utilisation and storage, high-ash coal gasification, syngas utilisation, mineral beneficiation and recovery of rare earth elements and critical minerals. CSE is undertaking work in sustainable materials, circular economy, mine repurposing, environmental remediation, advanced wastewater treatment and the feasibility of micro modular nuclear reactors. IMiN is concentrating on research fellowships, skill development and innovative solutions to mining challenges.
CIL has also expanded its global research partnerships by collaborating with Ergo Exergy of Canada on an Underground Coal Gasification project at Eastern Coalfields Limited, Ericsson of Sweden for deployment of 5G technologies at the Jhanjra underground mine, and Australia’s CSIRO to advance joint research programmes. These collaborations are expected to strengthen Coal India’s technological capabilities and support the development of next-generation solutions for sustainable mining and energy production.
