New Delhi: The Ministry of Coal will launch a new Exploration Module on its Single Window Clearance System (SWCS) portal on July 4, 2025. The tool, developed in collaboration with the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL), is designed to digitalise the full exploration workflow — from submission of proposals to final approval of geological reports. The launch will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Coal G Kishan Reddy, the ministry said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The new module allows allottees to submit exploration schemes, upload compliance documents, and receive approvals through a single online interface. It includes real-time tracking of proposals, automated document management, and structured timelines for each stage of the process. This integrated digital approach is expected to significantly cut down processing time and improve alignment between coal resource assessments and block operationalisation.
According to the ministry, the module is a step forward in ensuring transparent handling of exploration data, while embedding best practices in e-governance and technical validation. It aims to boost productivity, reduce bureaucratic delays, and support India's energy security and sustainable development goals.
The launch of the Exploration Module is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to expand the SWCS portal, which was introduced in January 2021 to consolidate and simplify coal sector approvals. The portal already supports online processing of mining plans, mine opening permissions, and project-specific reporting.
Since its inception, the Mining Plan Module has received 126 proposals, of which 108 have been processed. The average approval time has dropped to 4.5 months—less than half of what it was in the earlier offline regime. The Mine Opening Permission Module, launched in November 2024, has enabled 27 submissions to date, with 19 approvals granted and eight under review.
SWCS is also integrated with other key platforms, including the National Single Window System and PARIVESH 2.0, allowing seamless exchange of data across ministries for faster clearances. These include environmental, forest, wildlife, groundwater, and land acquisition approvals.
The Ministry has urged allottees and government agencies to fully adopt the digital modules and ensure timely action to maximise the benefits of SWCS. It has invited feedback from users to refine the portal’s functioning and reinforce its commitment to transparency and tech-driven governance.
The initiative, the ministry noted, is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Viksit Bharat and a digitally empowered regulatory ecosystem in the coal and energy sectors.