Coal output growth slid to a six-month low in December

Syllabus: GS-III

Subject: Science and Technology

Topic: Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology crossed

Context:   In December 2023, India’s coal output growth hit a six-month low of 10.75%, reaching nearly 93 million tonnes.

Synopsis:

• This decline in coal production is reflected in the Index of Core Industries, where coal holds a weightage of over 10%.
• The core sectors, constituting 40% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), had grown 12% in October but slid to the lowest levels since March 2023 in November.
• Despite slower year-on-year growth in coal dispatches, the December numbers, showing a 5.6% increase from November, suggest a potential rebound in electricity generation, a critical component of the core sectors’ index.
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Conclusion:

India’s coal output growth hit a six-month low at 10.75% in December, nearing 93 million tonnes. Despite slower growth, a 5.6% increase in coal dispatches suggests a potential rebound in electricity generation.