India’s Coal Imports Turn Steel-Centric as Met Coal Rises 10.4%, Thermal Falls 5.5%

India’s coal import mix is shifting towards the steel sector. Metallurgical coal imports rose 10.4% year-on-year to 84.5 million tonnes in FY26, driven by higher steel production, while non-coking (thermal) coal imports fell 5.5% to 159.7 million tonnes amid improved domestic supply. Overall coal imports remained broadly stable, but the composition now reflects stronger demand from steelmakers rather than the power sector. *Top stocks in the coal & steel industry:* $COALINDIA , Tata Steel, and JSW Steel.