New Delhi: In a significant move to foster digital transformation within the coal sector, the Ministry of Coal organized a specialized workshop and interactive training session on the Exploration Module of the Single Window Clearance System (SWCS) on July 25, 2025. The workshop, held at Tagore Chamber, SCOPE Complex, aimed to provide stakeholders with a practical understanding of the module’s functionality and encourage its adoption for faster and more efficient handling of exploration-related submissions and approvals.
Key Highlights of the Workshop
The session was chaired by Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority (AS & NA), who emphasized the critical role of digital platforms in expediting approval processes within the coal sector. In her address, she stressed that such platforms are key to promoting transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the approval mechanism.
Ms. Brar urged all stakeholders to actively engage with the SWCS portal, pointing out that digital systems are essential for meeting the goals of transparency and efficiency that align with India’s Digital India initiative.
Collaboration with CMPDIL for Hands-on Demonstration
The workshop was held in collaboration with CMPDIL (Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited), and included a live demonstration of the Exploration Module. The demonstration offered participants a practical walkthrough of the end-to-end digital workflow, which includes the submission, evaluation, and approval of critical exploration documents. These documents include Geological Report (GR) schemes, progress updates, compliance filings, and final GRs.
The demonstration gave stakeholders a deeper understanding of how the digital system simplifies the exploration clearance process by reducing manual interventions, allowing for faster approvals.
SWCS and the Digital Revolution in Coal Exploration
The Exploration Module was launched on July 4, 2025, by G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, and marks a major step toward a paperless and automated system for exploration-related approvals. This module replaces manual processes with real-time tracking, structured timelines, and automated communication, helping reduce delays and improve transparency and accountability.
The Single Window Clearance System (SWCS), which was introduced in January 2021, serves as a unified digital platform for obtaining various statutory clearances in the coal sector, including Mining Plans, Mine Opening Permissions, and Environmental and Forest Clearances. The system is also integrated with the National Single Window System (NSWS) and is being aligned with PARIVESH 2.0 for improved inter-ministerial coordination.
Stakeholder Engagement and Feedback
The workshop saw active participation from a broad range of stakeholders, including coal block allottees, accredited exploration agencies, and senior technical personnel. Participants lauded the user-friendly interface of the Exploration Module, and the ability to simplify the clearance processes.
The interactive format of the session encouraged open dialogue, with stakeholders raising concerns and seeking clarifications. Experts from the Ministry of Coal and CMPDIL addressed these concerns, further enhancing the collaborative atmosphere and providing stakeholders with direct guidance on module implementation.
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Commitment to Technology-Driven Governance
The Ministry of Coal reaffirmed its commitment to promoting technology-driven governance within the coal sector. By driving the adoption of digital platforms like SWCS, the Ministry is working towards faster clearances, improved accountability, and a more streamlined operational framework.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader vision of building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India), where digital solutions are central to improving governance and driving sustainable growth. The Ministry continues to encourage stakeholders to fully embrace these digital tools for operational excellence and sectoral progress.
About Ministry of Coal
The Ministry of Coal, Government of India, is responsible for determining policies and strategies related to coal and lignite exploration, development, production, supply, distribution, and prices. It aims to ensure the availability of coal to meet the nation’s energy demands in an eco-friendly, sustainable, and cost-effective manner, promoting transparency and efficient resource management.
