The Union government has declared coking coal a critical and strategic mineral under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, adding it to Part D of the First Schedule so that its exploration and mining get priority. Also called metallurgical coal, it is indispensable for steelmaking and cannot be substituted by thermal coal. India currently imports about 95% of its requirement despite reserves in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, owing to quality issues. The step supports the National Steel Policy goal of 300 million tonnes of steel output by 2030.