FCC

Coal Ministry Pushes Digital Shift With Exploration Module

2025-07-29

In a bid to accelerate digital transformation in the coal sector, the Ministry of Coal conducted a hands-on training session on 25 July 2025 for the newly launched Exploration Module of the Single Window Clearance System (SWCS). Held at Tagore Chamber, SCOPE Complex, New Delhi, the session aimed to familiarise stakeholders with the module’s features and encourage its adoption for smoother exploration-related submissions and approvals.

Chaired by Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority Ms Rupinder Brar, the session highlighted how digital platforms could simplify and speed up approvals in the coal industry. She urged all stakeholders to actively use the SWCS portal to promote transparency, efficiency, and accountability.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Coal and experts from CMPDIL demonstrated the end-to-end digital process for submitting Geological Report schemes, updates, compliance documents, and final reports. The interactive format allowed coal block allottees, exploration agencies, and technical personnel to ask questions and better understand the system’s operational benefits.

Launched on 4 July 2025 by Union Minister for Coal and Mines Shri G Kishan Reddy, the Exploration Module replaces manual procedures with an entirely digital framework, enabling real-time tracking, automated communication, and adherence to structured timelines. It forms a key component of the broader SWCS—functional since 11 January 2021—which also facilitates mining plan approvals, mine opening permissions, and environmental and forest clearances.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to building a technology-driven governance model and encouraged widespread adoption of SWCS tools to support India’s vision for “Viksit Bharat” and “Digital India.”