Nari Shakti in Mining: Women Lead India’s Coal Sector Transformation in 2026

New Delhi, February 12, 2026 — Once considered the final frontier of male dominance, India’s coal sector has undergone a massive cultural and operational shift. As of early 2026, women are no longer just breaking the "glass ceiling"—they are dismantling it entirely, taking charge of core technical operations and leading strategic decision-making across the nation's coalfields.

1. From Support to the Frontline: The Rise of All-Women Units

In a historic milestone for Coal India Limited (CIL), the tradition of all-male operational hubs has been broken.

• The Korba Milestone: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has successfully operationalized the company’s first all-women-operated Central Store Unit at Korba. Led by Sapna Ikka, a Senior Manager and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad alumna, this unit handles high-stakes inventory and spare parts logistics using a modern SAP-based digital platform.

• Technical Self-Reliance: In Dhanbad, Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) has launched its first centralized technical center for LED and solar equipment maintenance, staffed exclusively by women technicians.

2. The ‘Jyoti’ Initiative: Building a Leadership Pipeline

The Ministry of Coal has moved beyond mere hiring to active leadership grooming through the "Jyoti – Rising Together, Leading the Way" program.

• Strategic Training: This 5-month leadership journey, conducted through the Indian Institute of Coal Management (IICM), prepares female executives for board-level responsibilities.

• Focus Areas: The curriculum emphasizes high-stakes negotiation, emotional intelligence (EQ), and technology-driven decision-making, ensuring that the next generation of CIL directors will include a significant female cohort.

3. Scaling the STEM Barrier: The 50% Target

As per the latest reports from India Energy Week (Feb 2026), the push for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) has reached an all-time high:

• Vedanta & NLCIL: Private and public giants have reported that women now account for over 35-45% of STEM fresher hiring.

• Future Target: Vedanta has announced an ambitious goal to reach 50% women hiring in STEM roles starting this year, fundamentally altering the gender ratio in mining, metallurgy, and energy systems.

4. Statutory Roles: Taking Charge Underground

Following legal reforms allowing women to work in underground mines during night shifts, women have moved into critical statutory positions:

• Key Positions: Women are now actively serving as Mining Sirdars, Overmen, and Surveyors.

• Global Recognition: NLC India Limited (NLCIL) now employs over 190 women in its mining domain, with 48 in executive positions, proving that physical and technical challenges are no longer a barrier to female participation.

Key Statistics: Women in Coal (2026 Snapshot)

The Verdict: A Future-Ready, Inclusive Ecosystem

The "Nari Shakti" movement in the coal sector is not just about gender parity—it is about efficiency and innovation. By integrating women into technical and leadership roles, the industry is benefiting from diverse problem-solving approaches and a more disciplined operational culture. As India aims for 1 Billion Tonnes of coal production by 2027, the women of the coal sector are proving to be the backbone of this national mission.