New Delhi, May 27 -- India's coal imports fell by 7.9 per cent, totalling 243.62 million tonnes (MT), compared to 264.53 MT during the just-concluded financial year 2024-25, the Ministry of Coal said in a statement Tuesday.

This reduction resulted in foreign exchange savings of approximately USD 7.93 billion (Rs 60,681.67 crore), the coal ministry said.

Notably, the Non-Regulated Sector, excluding the power sector, experienced a more significant decline, with imports dropping by 8.95 per cent year-on-year.

Although coal-based power generation grew by 3.04 per cent in 2024-25 compared to the previous fiscal year, imports for blending by thermal power plants sharply decreased by 41.4 per cent.

"This highlights India's ongoing efforts to...