India Strengthens Energy Security: Historic First — Coal Mine Development Agreements with Underground Coal Gasification Provisions Signed

• Coal Mine/Block Development and Production Agreements (CMDPAs) were signed for four coal blocks on 28 April 2026 — the first commercial coal mines in India to carry embedded Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) provisions.
• Signed under the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions by the Ministry of Coal; bidders include Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and Axis Energy Ventures India Pvt Ltd.
• Marks a structural pivot from extractive mining to in-situ syngas production, integrating UCG with the Coal Gasification Mission target of 100 MT gasified coal by 2030.
• High UPSC salience: GS-III (Energy security, Infrastructure, Environment) + Prelims static (UCG technology, Coal Sector Reforms).