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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COAL
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 545
ANSWERED ON- 22/07/2026
REVISION OF COAL MINES PENSION SCHEME
545. SHRI RAJEEV RAI
Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state :-
(a) whether it is a fact that the pension under the Coal Mines Pension Scheme has not been
revised since its inception and if so, the reasons therefor and the present minimum, maximum
and average monthly pension, together with the number of pensioners in each pension slab;
(b) whether the Government has received representations including from Members of
Parliament and pensioners’ associations, seeking revision of pension under the Scheme in
view of inflation over the last 28 years and if so, the action taken thereon; and
(c) whether any proposal for pension enhancement, indexation, dearness relief or periodic
revision is under consideration and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES
(SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)
(a) The Coal Mines Pension Scheme, 1998 came into force on 31st March, 1998. Minimum
monthly pension under the scheme has been revised to Rs. 1000 with effect from 08th March,
2024, benefiting eligible pensioners.
The scheme does not prescribe any maximum ceiling on pension. Pension under the scheme is
determined on the basis of the member's average emoluments during the last ten months of
service, pensionable service and the applicable category of pension. A total of Rs. 515 crore
was disbursed to 4.58 lakh pensioners in May 2026, indicating an average monthly pension of
over Rs. 10,000.
(b) Yes. As per provisions of the Coal Mines Pension Scheme, 1998, pension revision is
contingent upon actuarial recommendations. The latest actuarial valuation (as on 31st March,
2022) did not recommend enhancement due to shortfall in the pension fund. However,
Government has taken a positive step by ensuring a minimum pension of Rs. 1000 per month
with effect from 08.03.2024, benefiting eligible pensioners.
(c) At present, no such proposal is under consideration.
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