In April, Coal India Ltd (CIL) offered 30.5 million tonnes of coal through online auctions, marking a 6% decline from 32.5 million tonnes in March. This reduction is largely attributed to ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which have led to increased global energy prices and a subsequent rise in coal usage by power plants for energy security. CIL, which accounts for over 80% of India's coal production, is utilizing the Single Window Mode Agnostic (SWMA) auction system, a unified e-auction platform launched in 2022 to enhance transparency and market efficiency. Notably, CIL has opened its auctions to buyers from neighboring countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal—allowing them direct access to coal without intermediaries, effective January 1, 2026. This strategic move is expected to improve resource utilization and promote competition in the coal market. Additionally, CIL's production fell by 1.7% to 768.1 million tonnes in FY26, down from 781.1 million tonnes in FY25.