Coal has been mined in India for about two centuries. Although past achievement levels were undoubtedly low, developments in the post-independence period have been significant and strides made since nationalization of the coal industry have been even more impressive. Coal will continue to be India's prime source of energy for power generation, steel-making, powering of locomotives, and production of cement, fertilizer and domestic fuel. More than 200 projects of various sizes and involving capital costs of about Rs. 100 billion have been planned: a number of these projects are expected to achieve up to 14 million tonnes per annum production capacity. Coal benefication plants, coal handling plants, central and regional workshops, and central water supply schemes are the principal non-coal projects that have been planned. This paper presents the various aspects of the coal-mining industry in India.