Under current policies, NITI Aayog projects India's coal demand by 2050 at what level?
- A.Over 1.5 billion tonnes
- B.Over 2.6 billion tonnes
- C.Over 3.4 billion tonnes
- D.Over 4.2 billion tonnes
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is over 2.6 billion tonnes. The projection quoted at the consultation shows demand rising from about 1.25 billion tonnes in 2025 to more than 2.6 billion tonnes by 2050 if present policies continue, and staying above 1.8 billion tonnes even along a net zero path, because steel, cement and power, the three largest consumers, are all set to expand several times over. That is the reasoning behind the ministry's insistence that allotted blocks be brought into production quickly. Options A, C and D misstate the projection. Candidates should link this with the reform measures recalled at the same meeting: end-use restrictions removed, bidding linked to a revenue share based on the National Coal Index, 100 per cent foreign direct investment by the automatic route, and operationalisation timelines cut from 51 to 40 months for fully explored blocks.
Read the full article: Coal Ministry Holds Mining for Future Consultation in Goa
Practice Questions
Of the commercial coal mines allotted since 2020, how many are producing, according to the Ministry of Coal?
- A.25 of 137
- B.37 of 125
- C.52 of 137
- D.25 of 90
Show answer
The ministry said at its consultation in Goa that of the commercial mines allotted since the reform framework came in, only a small fraction has reached production, and the Coal Secretary described an allotted but idle block as capacity the country has set aside yet cannot use.
Read the full explanation →How much coal did India produce in the financial year 2025-26?
- A.778 million tonnes
- B.893 million tonnes
- C.1,041 million tonnes
- D.1,250 million tonnes
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This was the output quoted at the consultation, where officials also pointed out that coal still generates more than 70 per cent of the country's electricity, which is why idle blocks matter so much.
Read the full explanation →Total expenditure up to September 2026 was what share of the budget estimate for the year?
- A.41.2 per cent
- B.44.9 per cent
- C.47.7 per cent
- D.52.6 per cent
Show answer
Total expenditure in the first six months of the financial year was Rs 25,49,835 crore, and that is 47.7 per cent of the corresponding budget estimate.
Read the full explanation →How much was transferred to state governments as devolution of the share of taxes up to September 2026?
- A.Rs 4,80,732 crore
- B.Rs 6,54,547 crore
- C.Rs 6,99,409 crore
- D.Rs 6,46,010 crore
Show answer
The monthly accounts record that this sum was transferred to the state governments as devolution of their share of central taxes during the first half of the financial year, and that it was Rs 67,658 crore higher than the amount devolved in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Read the full explanation →What were the total receipts of the Government of India up to September 2026?
- A.Rs 12,76,088 crore
- B.Rs 18,35,422 crore
- C.Rs 25,49,835 crore
- D.Rs 18,95,288 crore
Show answer
This amount is made up of tax revenue net to the Centre, non-tax revenue and non-debt capital receipts.
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